It's a parent's worst nightmare to find out that your child has been harmed in any way (i.e. neglect, physical, verbal, etc.). My family and I encountered this experience ourselves with our four children (ages 7 months to 7 years) recently. Our childcare provider took on too many children and was unable to take care of them. In addition to that we were lied to by the provider and her family. We trusted her as many parents trust their in-home childcare providers. This has been a true life lesson that we have learned from and have learned to trust our parental instincts more. When we spoke with the Department of Human Services employee about our situation, we learned there are many things that we as parents need to look for. Unfortunately it has come to parents having to take the role of skeptic and detective regarding our childcare providers, but it is crucial that we do so.
There are many red flags (things to look for that should lead you to either remove your child from the in-home care provider's home or research further). Listed below are things or red flags to look for:
- Change in child's behavior (i.e. if usually quiet and then becomes aggressive, if very energetic but now quiet)
- Child constantly whines for food when you take them home
- Child whines about not wanting to go back to childcare provider's home
- See bite marks, bruises, scratches on child
- When you drop off your child and you see more children then their should be (contact your Department of Human Services, both state registered and nonregistered have a maximum number of children a childcare provider can provide for)
- Childcare provider does not allow you to see his/her home (especially the areas in which your child is being cared for)
- Childcare provider does not allow service providers to provide services to your child (i.e. speech pathologist, home intervention teacher, occupational therapist, physical therapist, etc.).
- Child throws a fit (even before you leave to take them to the childcare provide) and does not want to go to the childcare provider's home.
If you see any of these red flags or warning signs, make sure NOT to disregard it. Act on it and either research it further or remove your child from the in-home childcare provider's care. If you believe your child has been abused (neglect, physical, verbal, etc.), contact your Department of Human Services right away. In our situation, our story has a happy ending. We have a wonderful in-home childcare provider that is state-registered and provides a loving, nurturing, safe, environment to our children. Our children constantly request to go back to our childcare provider's home even on the weekends.
