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Toddler found wandering alone raises concerns about daycare centers
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Earlier this week, a 3 year old boy was found wandering, alone, by Route 896 in Newark; 6 motorists stopped to help the boy and called the police. It was discovered that he attended the Little Scholars 1 daycare, which is located off of 896, and that he was able to leave the center, unnoticed, until the police arrived with the boy in tow. One of the workers, Evelyn Devonshire, turned herself in to State Police and has been charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child (a misdemeanor) and, as a condition of her bail, is to have no contact with any child care facility. Additionally, the Division of Family Services is investigating the incident as a "neglect complaint", according to DFS Spokesman Joe Smack.
This incident brought to light all of a parent's worst fears--child neglect at the hands of someone you trust with your child's well being, potential harm to you child and it puts a major dent in any trust you have in anyone else who cares for your child. This incident has stirred up many emotions among parents across the state. Some have been quick to criticize both the center and the worker, others have used it as ammunition to condemn daycares altogether, and then there are others who realize that this was an isolated incident and have leaped to the defense of child care providers. It is a tough, emotional issue and there is not a parent in the state who has remained neutral in the discussion, myself included.
I can say, in no uncertain terms, that this type of incident would never happen at my daughter's daycare. But the reality of the situation is that not all parents have the same faith in their child care provider. Fortunately, the State Police and the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families issued a joint press release offering guidelines and tips for parents when looking for quality daycare. Those tips include looking for centers:
- Low child to teacher ratios
- Low teacher turnover
- Staff with higher education
- Prior experience and education of the director
- Well-compensated teachers who receive good benefits
- Accreditation or a higher-than-minimum license
- “How often is a head count taken of children in the facility?”
- “What steps are taken if a child is found missing?”
- “What safety procedures have changed since I first enrolled my child at this day care facility?”
- “Does the child to teacher ratio change throughout the day? And if so, to what degree?”
- “Is my emergency contact information up to date?”
- “Is this center currently under investigation by the State of Delaware? Has it been since I enrolled my child?”
- “Does this facility participate in a child identification program of sorts and is my child’s photograph on file should they go missing?”
- “Is there a process of an ongoing back ground check of my child’s teachers?”
(While many of these tips are geared towards child care centers, they can apply to in-home providers as well.)
For many parents, daycare is not a choice. We have to have the confidence that the people caring for our children will make sure that their health, safety and well-being are a top priority. But following these tips, and trusting your gut instinct, should reassure you that the choice you've made is the best one for your child.
For more information, visit: http://kids.delaware.gov/.
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