How can I find out if my day care is registered?

Question

My son is starting day care for the 1st time tomorrow morning. He just made 1 years old a few weeks ago. The day care is in a lady's home who I found out about from my son's father (his daughter went there). When I visited the home and spoke with the lady, I had no complaints. But I am a little uneasy after hearing horror stories from friends and on the internet. How do I check to see if it's registered with the city or state? My son's father doesn't know because his daughter's mother set everything up and I would ask the lady, but I don't want to give her a reason to mistreat my baby. What should I do?

Answer 1

Being registered or not isn't going to tell you if your child is safe.

Did you like the feeling of the daycare? Was it a loving and clean place? Did they have you fill out emergency forms for contact? a medical form? on the bottom of those papers they will or should have in small print that it is from the state. Make time to meet the teacher, spend time watching and orientating your child to daycare. Can you stay with her for an hour or so? then leave come back early the first day if you can. Ask to see what kind of daily note you will receive about your daughters day. It should tell you how her mood was, her diaper changes, what and when she ate. This way you will know what happen during her day. You can always call and check in once a day if that will help you feel better. Get to know some of the other parents  in the daycare. This will help build a bridge between you and the school. If you feel uncomfortable after giving the school a good try you can always find a different school. And if you do look for another school/daycare ask a  lot of questions, stay and observe the classroom, try to meet the parents and teachers.  

Answer 2

Did this lady have you fill out any paperwork?  Things like a registration form or permission for her to take the child for emergency medical treatment?  Did she ask to see the baby's vaccination record?  I'm pretty sure that properly registered daycare providers ask for paperwork and get a shot record.

Answer 3

l would try calling the health department in your area..they would know who to contact since health departments sponsor WIC and other child services.

If there is no health department try Social Services.