Child Care: Preventing Problems and Watching for Abusive Providers

The overwhelming majority of child care providers are loving, trustworthy people. There are a few, however, who are unfit to care for children. To help prevent problems and ensure the safety of your children:

• Find out who will be watching your child if the caregiver must be away.
• Make unannounced visits.
• Get to know other parents who have children enrolled.
• Check to see whether the facility is licensed by the department of social services, human services, or health (this may not guarantee a safe environment).
• Check with above agency to determine whether the home or center has had complaints.
• Thoroughly check your caregiver's references.

If you suspect a problem, report any suspected incident of physical or sexual abuse to your local department of social or human services (protective services division or child protection team). You may remain anonymous or ask that your name not be mentioned.

You may not always be able to detect potential problems before enrolling your child. The warning signals below help provide some clues to possible physical or sexual abuse. Do not jump to conclusions, but do pay attention to your child and look into possible reasons for your child's troubling behavior. Watch for:

• Sudden dislike of or reluctance to go to caregiver.
• Sudden sexual acting out (sexually precocious language, enactment of sexual acts including oral sex).
• Sudden hesitation over showing or receiving affection.
• Sudden sleep problems (nightmares, fear of dark or being alone).
• Regression to baby behaviors (bedwetting, thumbsucking, clinginess).
• Unusually nervous or aggressive behavior.
• Caregiver or center does not welcome your unannounced visits.
• Caregiver or center does not willingly provide the names and numbers of other parents who have children enrolled.
• Bruises, swollen areas, lacerations, or other marks.
• Implausible explanations by child or caregiver regarding injuries.
• Anything your child says regarding physically or sexually abusive or inappropriate behavior.