A Parent's Guide to Child CareDear Parent: |
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What is child-care licensing?
• The Licensing Division was established by law to regulate child-care facilities to
help protect the health, safety, and well-being of children in care.
• With the assistance of child-care providers and experts in areas such as child
development, early childhood education, fire safety, health, and sanitation, the Licensing
Division develops minimum standards.
• Licensing staff inspect child-care centers, private kindergartens and nursery
schools, some unaccredited private schools, group child-care homes, and drop-in care
centers to be sure that minimum standards are met. The staff also investigate complaints
about violations of the minimum standards and the child-care licensing law.
Your child-care facility is responsible for meeting minimum standards. Many child-care
programs exceed these requirements. Licensing does not regulate child-care fees,
collection policies, or the kind of learning program your child-care facility offers. Each
facility has its own special personality and approach to educating and caring for
children. Parents can choose the kind of program that best meets the needs of their child
and family.
Suggestions for parents
Choose your child-care facility carefully.
• When you visit a child-care facility, ask to see the license. The license means
that the child-care facility met the minimum licensing standards the last time it was
inspected for such things as fire, sanitation, and safety; the number of child-care staff
required; staff qualifications; and requirements for special services.
A copy of the minimum standards is available for you to review at your child-care
facility. You can also request a copy of these standards from your local child-care
licensing office.
Establish a good relationship with the child-care facility
• Spend time at the child-care facility before you enroll your child. Ask questions
about the program and observe the activities. Make sure the child-care facility has all
the information needed about your child and family to provide good care.
• Work with the staff of the child-care facility you choose. Parent involvement is an
important part of a successful experience with child care.
• Read all the material the child-care provider gives you. In addition to material
required by licensing standards, each facility has its own policies and requirements. It's
important that you understand these requirements before you enroll your child. It's
equally important, once your child is in care, to read the notices, special requests,
notes, and other materials the child-care provider sends home.
• Drop in occasionally during the day to observe how your child interacts with staff
and other children, and get a good picture of the day-to-day activities at the center. Be
careful not to disrupt activities.
• Keep your side of the bargain. Pick up your child on time.
• Discuss concerns with the child-care director. Be aware that the teacher's main
responsibility is working with the children. Don't be offended if the teacher can't spend
much time talking with you when you drop off or pick up your child. If you need more time
to talk about your child, set up a conference.
• It's important to let the child-care facility know about things at home that may
affect how your child is doing in child care.
When your child starts child care
• Remember that it's normal for a child to have some fears and misgivings about
starting child care. Children need time to get used to new situations. Prepare your
children for the change as far in advance as possible. Discuss their concerns. If you're
enthusiastic, chances are they soon will be, too.
• Depending on their ages, some children will temporarily "act out" their
feelings by clinging to you and refusing to let go, forgetting their toilet training,
having bad dreams, sucking their thumbs, or other such behavior.
Work with the child-care director and your child's teacher on this.
Talk things over with your child
• Make an opportunity each day to gently ask questions when your children are quiet
and feeling secure and protected. Share their excitement about new friends, new skills,
and new abilities; listen to their concerns; and give them a chance to boast about their
achievements.
Parent responsibilities
The child-care facility must get certain information and records from parents to ensure
the child's health and safety, handle emergencies, and meet minimum standards. If you do
not provide this material, the child-care facility will not be in compliance with the
minimum standards.
• Complete an enrollment form that includes basic information about your child;
telephone numbers where you can be reached during the day; authorization for emergency
care for your child; and written permission for swimming, other water activities, and
transportation services.
• Tell the caregiver about any special concerns or needs, including allergies,
medical history, and current medications.
• Give the child-care facility a copy of your child's immunization record showing
immunizations against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and
Haemophilus influenzae type b. In some parts of Texas, a tuberculosis test report is also
required. For school-age children, you can sign a statement that these records are on file
at the school.
• Provide a doctor's statement that your preschool child is physically able to
participate in the child-care program.
• Inform the child-care facility in writing about who is permitted to take your child
from the facility. Generally, the child-care facility may only release your child to you
or to an adult you designate.
• The facility may allow a school-age child to leave the facility alone or allow an
older brother or sister to pick up a child if you request this in writing. The facility is
only allowed to do this when all safety considerations have been met.
• Make sure that child-care staff know the child has arrived. Make sure that staff
are aware when you come to pick up your child. Don't leave your child at the front door,
and never leave your child at the facility before opening or after closing.
• Other requirements must be met if the child-care provider gives medication to your
child, if your child is an infant, or if your child needs special care or a special diet.
What happens if your child is ill or injured?
• The child-care facility is not allowed to admit a child who seems to be sick unless
a doctor or nurse gives approval in writing. This may cause problems for parents, but it
is necessary to prevent a sick child from infecting other children.
• If your child has been absent because of a contagious illness, the child-care
facility must follow guidelines concerning when the child can return to child care.
• If your child appears seriously sick or injured while at the center, the caregiver
must call you immediately. It's important that you pick up your child as soon as possible.
• If your child needs immediate medical attention, the center must call your child's
physician, take the child to the nearest emergency room or minor emergency clinic, or call
for an ambulance. This is why the child-care facility must have your authorization for
emergency medical care.
Liability insurance requirements
• Ask the child-care director whether or not the facility carries liability
insurance. Texas law requires child-care facilities to carry liability coverage in the
amount of $300,000 per occurrence to cover a child when the child is in care of the
facility.
• Liability insurance coverage is not required if the insurance cannot be secured due
to financial reasons; if the licensee is unable to locate an underwriter willing to issue
a policy; or if the current policy limits have been extended. You are to be notified, in
writing, that the coverage is not available.
Take a good look
As you become more familiar with your child's child-care program, you will see many strong
points. Almost all child-care facilities strive to provide a warm, loving, safe, and
healthy environment for children. Look for these characteristics, but also be aware of
warning signals that tell you something is wrong.
Feel secure when you see that:
• the facility welcomes you to visit any time, and you are invited to observe the
class or participate in activities.
• staff are alert and involved with the children.
• staff seem warm and interested in the children. There is spontaneous laughter,
hugging, and eye-to-eye contact.
• staff are gentle, but firm when necessary.
• the facility is clean and attractive.
• your child is relaxed and happy after the initial adjustment period.
• your child seems physically well cared for. Staff inform you of minor accidents and
tell you when your child doesn't feel well.
• children seem involved with constructive activities, and they get individual
attention.
Be seriously concerned when you see that:
• parents are not encouraged to visit the facility.
• children are left without direct adult supervision.
• adults spend much time scolding, ordering, and yelling at children.
• adults are physically rough with children or allow rough play.
• the building is dirty, or you see unsafe conditions.
• your child is unhappy about being left at the facility, and this doesn't improve
with time.
• a child comes home bruised or injured, and the center can't explain what happened.
(The child may not remember minor bruises and scrapes received when playing, however.)
• children seem aimless, bored, angry, or frustrated, or there are too many children
to supervise.
When things aren't going well
You may find yourself displeased about something that has happened at the facility. Talk
about these things with facility staff. There may be a misunderstanding that can easily be
resolved.
If the situation isn't resolved and you believe minimum standards are not being met, call
the local child-care licensing office. They will handle your call discreetly.
A licensing representative will investigate your complaint. The licensing representative
may need to interview you and your child and may also interview other children at the
facility.
If the licensing representative finds that a standard has been violated, the facility will
be notified and a time set for the facility to correct it.
Licensing staff may revoke a license if a facility doesn't meet minimum standards. The
department does not take action to revoke a license unless children are in immediate
danger or the licensee refuses to comply with standards.
If you suspect child abuse
Most child-care facilities, like most parents, take good care of children. Child abuse is
rare, and it is very unlikely that anything like this will happen to your child.
If you do suspect that your child has been abused or sexually molested, report the
situation immediately. Use the toll-free Child Abuse Hotline number (1-800-252-5400),
available 24 hours a day. If you think the abuse occurred in a child-care facility, call
your child-care licensing office. The situation will be investigated immediately, and you
will be given referrals or recommendations for help for your child and family.
Should agency staff interview or examine your child during an abuse investigation, a
reasonable effort will be made to notify you within 24 hours after the interview or
examination.
Parents who suspect or believe that their child has been abused in child care sometimes
remove their child from care, but don't report the problem. This leaves other children in
danger. State law requires you to report suspected child abuse.
Should testimony in court be needed, you may be able to testify on behalf of your child if
you were the first person to hear your child's story.
When people make a report of suspected child abuse in good faith, they are immune from any
liability. If a complaint is made with malicious intent or for revenge, there is no
liability protection.
When the department investigates a complaint, the identity of the complainant is not
revealed. Everyone, including child-care providers, is required by law to report suspected
child abuse or neglect immediately.
Local Child-care Licensing OfficeCentral Texas - Austin |
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