I currently have my baby at a child care center. I'm new to all this and wanted to know the rules regarding medication and how long my child can stay at the center. According to their paperwork there is no specifications as far as what the center's stance is but I would like to know the laws.

I work 2 jobs and it's just me and my infant. I drop him off at 7am but am unable to pick him up until 6 and I do not live around any family.

I also have to ask the staff to change my baby when I pick him up because his diaper is always wet. Should I be concerned?

Reply

If you cannot find any info about medication in the center's handbook, then I would schedule a time to talk with the director and ask her (or him) questions you have about it.

As far as the diapering, I would think it would be good business practice to have each child cleaned up and in a fresh diaper upon pick up but if you are seeing repeated wet diapers at each pick up, I would ask what their diapering schedule is like and ask that your child be in a fresh diaper when you come ot pick him up.

Of course, this goes both ways and he should also be in a fresh diaper when you drop him off each morning.

Communication is the most important thing for a parent and the child care. If you have concerns or questions, please don't wait and let them build into frustration. People (parents AND providers) can't address issues if they aren't brought to their attention. Talk with your center's teachers and directors until you are 100% comfortable leaving your child with them.

Your relationship with your child's center staff should be one where you are working together in a respectful manner so everyone is happy and your son is receiving the best care possible.

Reply

I would think in a center you would get a little "report card" on how the baby's day was. I do this in my group home. Maybe you could inquire about that also.

Reply

It is is up to each individual daycare to decide what their policy is on medication. Some administer it, some don't, some allow children that are on medication and other's don't. As a previous poster said, just talk to the director and ask what their view on medication is. There are no laws (that I know of) that refer to medication in childcare.

As far as how long the child can stay at the center I suppose that depends on the state that you live in but that can also depend on the daycare itself. If there in nothing in the handbook or contract that you signed then I'm assuming that you can leave your child there for as long as your tuition covers. For example, I live in CA and no child can be in our daycare for more than 24 hours straight (or something like that I think) ladies help me out here. I'm not familiar with this regulation because I set my own cut-off time to 10 hours per day by personal choice. You should try contacting your licensing department and ask them if there are any laws or regulations that cover this.

As for the diaper, I agree that you should speak to the staff and ask how often the diapers are changed and at what times. My rule of thumb is a minimum of every 2 hours whether they are wet/dirty or not or as needed if they poop. I change at every even hour (helps me keep track of diaper changes better) so if you were picking up at 6pm at my DC your child would more than likely be at least a little wet as well. Ask them about it and keep us posted

Reply