What you Need to Know About Daycare Negligence

When you entrust your child's care to a daycare center, you're placing their safety and well-being in the hands of others. Shockingly, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports over 5,000 cases of daycare provider neglect and abuse annually. This alarming statistic underscores the need for parents to be vigilant and aware of the types of negligence that can occur.

Types and Examples of Daycare Negligence

There are three main types of daycare negligence. The categories are physical, medical, and emotional. It's time to take a closer look at each of these:

Physical Neglect

Physical neglect is a failure to provide basic needs, such as food, clothing, supervision, and more. Here are some examples:

Failure to provide adequate supervision

An example of this would be a classroom with 20 children between the ages of two and three, with only a single adult supervising them. 

Inadequate safety measures

A prime example is the failure to safely store sharp objects away or install locks on doors to prevent young children from accessing hazardous materials. 

Lack of proper nutrition and hydration

If children don't receive food throughout the day or have access to clean drinking water while playing outside, this can be an example of negligence. 

Emotional Neglect

This is harder to identify. Emotional neglect is a failure to meet the emotional needs of a child. Consider these examples:

Ignoring children's emotional needs

If a child is scared or anxious and an adult fails to comfort them, this is a good example of failing to meet a child's emotional needs. 

Failing to provide a nurturing environment

Children need to play by themselves in small groups, but there also needs to be time when they interact and spend time with the adults to create a nurturing environment. 

Verbal or emotional abuse

A daycare provider who yells at a child, makes fun of them, or calls a child a name is displaying verbal and emotional abuse. 

Medical Neglect

To qualify as medical neglect, a caregiver must fail to provide access to medications and medical care when it's needed. Examples include:

Failure to administer necessary medication or treatment

A good example would be the failure to give a child Tylenol when they're running a fever or an inhaler when having an asthma attack. 

Ignoring signs of illness or injury

If a child has a scrape on their arm and doesn't receive treatment or if a child is throwing up and steps aren't taken, this is an example of neglect. 

Inadequate response to medical emergencies

In case of a medical emergency, the daycare provider should call an ambulance or take the child to the doctor immediately. 

Consequences and Impacts of Daycare Negligence

Daycare negligence has real consequences and impacts on the children who experience it. These can include:

Physical Injuries

These injuries can be as minor as a bruise or as extensive as a broken bone or, in some cases, scarring, disfigurement, or death. 

Emotional Distress and Trauma

Emotional distress and trauma can require years of counseling with a professional, as well as the support of family and friends. 

Long-Term Effects on Development and Well-Being

Emotional, physical, and medical neglect by a daycare provider can leave lasting scars and also affect the development and overall well-being of a young child. 

Don't Stay Silent: Leo & Oginni Trial Lawyers Demand Accountability for Daycare Negligence 

If your child has been subjected to daycare negligence,  you need the right partner to hold the responsible accountable. Leo & Oginni Trial Lawyers are ready to fight your corner and ensure your child's story is heard. We want to ensure that you get the best outcome possible. Contact us now.

Image Credit/Dusan Petkovic