Our children are our most precious responsibility and making sure they’re safe when others are entrusted with their care is a major concern for parents.
Unfortunately, most of us aren’t in the position to have a credentialed employee come to our home, where he or she can be monitored by a nanny-cam.
So how to make sure your little one is safe?
There should be an open-door policy at the facility – no calling for access.
Listen to your kids and take them seriously if they say someone at day care makes them uncomfortable.
Cues you should watch for even in those too young to talk include changes in behavior, mood swings, bed-wetting, nightmares, fear of going to bed or other sleep disturbances, acting out inappropriate sexual activity or showing an unusual interest in sexual matters.
Of course, bruises, welts and unexplained cuts should raise a red flag for you.
Ask the center director how it screens prospective day care providers, janitors, bus drivers or ANYONE coming in contact with the children.
Remember that in additional to sexual abuse, you need to be alert to physical and emotional abuse and neglect. All forms of child abuse can have detrimental effects, and you need to be vigilant, supportive, and explore all options for treatment such as counseling or therapy should they occur.
If you suspect or have evidence pointing to daycare abuse, contact authorities in your state with your findings. Reporting them to the daycare operator or manager is not enough.
Whether or not the police decide to go forward with criminal charges in your case, you have the right to pursue a civil claim against the daycare in question in order to seek compensation for such losses as pain and suffering, cost of alternative child care, therapy or counseling and more.
Should you have the need to take action, we’re here to help. Contact me at GloriaLaw.com or at 772-287-1220.
