Children require around-the-clock supervision, especially when they are very young. Working parents often rely on professionals, including daycare providers, to ensure the safety and appropriate development of their children while they are at work.
Unfortunately, children are not always as safe at daycare facilities as their parents might hope. There are many risk factors that can lead to medical issues for children in daycare, including the three relatively common concerns below.
1. Pathogen exposure
Children are notoriously bad at maintaining their own hygiene. They may sneeze and cough in one another’s faces. They might touch mucus or vomit out of curiosity. Infections and infestations can spread rapidly in daycare facilities, sickening children and triggering major medical expenses.
2. Interpersonal violence
Children struggle to regulate their emotions and can become aggressive toward one another over simple disagreements. Daycare providers can also become violent toward the children in their care. Low wages, combined with stressful work conditions, may lead to overly aggressive physical discipline or even paid caregivers shaking babies, which can have disastrous consequences.
3. Unsafe playgrounds
Outdoor recreational facilities are common at daycare facilities. Allowing children the opportunity to physically exert themselves and play loudly outside can be beneficial for everyone. However, some playground equipment is innately dangerous. Even safe equipment designed to minimize injury risk can become a danger if daycare owners do not invest in regular maintenance and repairs.
Parents dealing with the devastating financial and familial impact of a child’s daycare injuries or illness may need help holding individuals and businesses accountable. Reviewing medical records and other details about a child’s injury can help parents evaluate their options for seeking compensation after a seemingly safe childcare facility causes medical issues for a child.