Reporting a Daycare Facility?

I agree with the pp. Make sure it's quite serious and that you've already mentioned your concerns to the daycare provider (at least give the person a chance to make changes). Basically, by filing a complaint, you will make it so the provider can't take on any future business (anyone who calls to check on the license will get your report). If you feel the situation is that bad, then definitely file a complaint, however.

We had a scary daycare provider a few years ago who went nuts when we gave two weeks notice and refused to give us the rest of the month's payment back (a significant amount of money ... many hundreds of dollars). She thought we were conspiring in some way to ruin her life and her child's financial stability. Seriously. In the end, we dropped it because we worried about our safety if we reported her or went to small claims court. She was bonkers and this was the first we recognized it (how scary to think our kids were in her care and we didn't know). You can't always tell how people will react.

I would definatly call and have them checked out. Just because they are being checked out doesnt mean they will be shut down. And possibly by having some one go in there it may open their eyes that they need to be more on their game with the childrens safety and step it up before any futher actions are needed. You definatly need to keep your childs safty as a fist priority. I noticed it has been mentioned about being careful to report them because you will ruin their business and their income, BUT you didnt do it they did, they are the ones who put children in dangerous situations and if they cannot keep the children safe that are in their care, then they should find a new source of income anyhow.

Hi K.,

Safety is such an important piece to running a home daycare. I would be very concerned to find kitchen knives on table within children's reach, and also concerned that if they are this careless with parent's around, what happens when no one else is there? Do you still have your child in care with this person?

You should report the provider if you feel children are at risk because of safety issues. Community Care Licensing is required to make a home visit within ( a week?) of a complaint. They do not disclose the name of the person who reported, but they may tell him/her what the complaint was regarding. It sounds like from your list that unless your son was the only child in care, that the possibility of another parent making the same report is likely.

I would really consider whether any of the issues can or could have been discussed and remedied with the provider before you call. It's a serious mark on their record as a provider and will have an impact on his/her ability to get kids in the future. I would be interested to know what the really bad experience that you had was and the other list of things. Perhaps there is some kind of explanation, although the kitchen knife thing just sounds like carelessness... certainly no excuse for it to happen multiple times.

As a licensed provider myself, I have heard things from parents that make me shudder. There are lots of providers out there that really should not be in business, but unfortunately, the caseloads are so large that CCL is not able to visit all of the care homes as often as they should. It could be up to 6 years before a provider is visited by licensing. That's (potentially) a lot of days of poor care to children if someone doesn't speak up.

Good luck... there are good providers out there!!!

Report them. It's the right thing to do. Besides, what are they going to do? I mean, unless you live next door or something, they would have to be seriously disturbed people to "come after" you for something like that.

K.,

CALL TODAY if you are concerned about your child's safety in the daycare. Give specifics such as date.time. who was there etc.As far as retaliation, I wouldn't worry too much--I would feel horrible if I had information and didn't pass it along and someone's child got hurt and I could have prevented it!~.

Good luck~

Molly

Hi K.,

I would be interested in seeing the "whole list" of things. You must be sure you are doing the right thing because we are talking about someone's income.

Blessings.....

K.,

While this is "someone's income" it is also the safety of your child and other's in her care. If you call Community Care Licencing- they will send someone out to investigate- not necessarily shut her down- unless the other concerns are really agreegous. You have the right as the consumer to voice your concerns- it is CCL's job and responsibility to take the appropriate actions. It would be worse for this care provider to be sued later for serious hard to a child. When you call CCL you can get clarification from them if they report who made a complaint- however- I think that info is not disclosed.