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Is Your Child Safe at Daycare?
Until you become a parent, it is difficult to imagine what it would be like if something bad happened to your child. After all, deciding who to place your trust in to care for your precious child is probably one of the most difficult and emotional decisions you will make as a parent.
Whether it's corporate daycare, home daycare or somewhere in between, there are many wonderful providers available. It's important, however, to thoroughly research your options and be sure that the daycare you decide upon will provide a safe and nurturing environment for your child. Both at-home or family daycare and a large daycare facility can provide a warm and loving atmosphere for your child. But safety issues can be very different in each setting and it's important to know what to look for and what questions to ask before making your final decision.
As parents and guardians we have an obligation to make sure our children are safe. Let's keep them protected and continue to make sure they are given the necessary tools to flourish. The facility director should be able to answer all of your questions acceptably and provide you with a list of references. Make several trips to the facility at various times of the day to observe how the staff manages nap time, lunch and play time. It's important to see that they can handle disruptive behavior and crying infants in a calm and gentle manner. You'll still worry the first day you drop your child off, but if you feel comfortable after going through this checklist, it will give you a little more peace of mind.
Here is a list of items to consider when evaluating the safety of your child's daycare facility:
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Daycare License Displayed in facility.
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License Capacity, Maximize Number of Children facility can hold.
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No Toxic / Hazardous Materials / Animals
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Sufficient Lighting
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Bedding / Linens Safe / Sanitary
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Supplies Labeled/ Stored
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Drinking Water Available
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Bathroom Supplies / Equipment Available.
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Toilets / Basins #Required/Accessible/Maintained
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Indoor Equipment / Sufficient, Safe, Suitable, Sanitary.
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Outdoor Equipment / Suitable, Safe, Maintained.
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Medicine Labeled / Stored / Authorized
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Clean / Good Appearance
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Proper Window Screens
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Exit Area Clear
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First Aid Staff / Supplies
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Sufficient Seating
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Bottles Sanitary and Labeled
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Records Available
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Sufficient Credentialed Staff
We also strongly advise you to go online to check for posted violations at the specific child care facility and to make sure your chosen daycare is properly credentialed by visiting The Department of Children and Families.
www.myflorida.com/childcare
 Attorney David Frank Awarded
David Frank has been recognized as one of the Florida Trend's Legal Elite in 2009.
Just the name Legal Elite says a lot about the attorneys whose names appear on Florida Trend's annual list. You could say they're at the top of their profession. The cream of the crop. Or the best of the best. All of those descriptions are apt. But the real story is how they achieved this recognition. They weren't hand-picked by a committee or editorial board. They didn't have to fill out a lengthy questionnaire. They didn't pay an entry fee or have to register. They achieved this recognition by earning the trust, confidence, respect - and votes - of their peers. And who better to name the state's top attorneys than the attorneys themselves?
See full article > legal elite lawyers
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