Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Insurance>Legalities of Childcare
Country Kids 02:40 PM 06-24-2014
Took a class on this and it was definetly an eye opener!
I can't believe the things parents have sued over or providers have been responsible for.
I also learned: Do not let staff or your own children babysit for clients. If anything happens to the child the parents can come back on your business because staff/own child should have been taught about the childcare business. It can come back on you that they weren't.
Have children within the hours you are open. If a parent comes before openening or comes after closing and something happens to child, your insurance may not cover it as child was not there during "business" hours.
Parents legally have a right to pick up if they are under the influense. You can cover yourself by documenting, calling police or when they sign up having a form for parents to sign stating exactly what will happen if they pick up under the influence.
This is a tricky situation as more people have the medical marijuana cards and I guess this has created issues for parents picking up children from child cares if they smell like they have been smoking or appear to have been.
These are just a few of the things I did learn and heard so many stories that made your mouth just drop open.
I can't believe the things parents have sued over or providers have been responsible for.
I also learned: Do not let staff or your own children babysit for clients. If anything happens to the child the parents can come back on your business because staff/own child should have been taught about the childcare business. It can come back on you that they weren't.
Have children within the hours you are open. If a parent comes before openening or comes after closing and something happens to child, your insurance may not cover it as child was not there during "business" hours.
Parents legally have a right to pick up if they are under the influense. You can cover yourself by documenting, calling police or when they sign up having a form for parents to sign stating exactly what will happen if they pick up under the influence.
This is a tricky situation as more people have the medical marijuana cards and I guess this has created issues for parents picking up children from child cares if they smell like they have been smoking or appear to have been.
These are just a few of the things I did learn and heard so many stories that made your mouth just drop open.
nannyde 02:56 PM 06-24-2014
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
Took a class on this and it was definetly an eye opener!
I can't believe the things parents have sued over or providers have been responsible for.
I also learned: Do not let staff or your own children babysit for clients. If anything happens to the child the parents can come back on your business because staff/own child should have been taught about the childcare business. It can come back on you that they weren't.
Have children within the hours you are open. If a parent comes before openening or comes after closing and something happens to child, your insurance may not cover it as child was not there during "business" hours.
Parents legally have a right to pick up if they are under the influense. You can cover yourself by documenting, calling police or when they sign up having a form for parents to sign stating exactly what will happen if they pick up under the influence.
This is a tricky situation as more people have the medical marijuana cards and I guess this has created issues for parents picking up children from child cares if they smell like they have been smoking or appear to have been.
These are just a few of the things I did learn and heard so many stories that made your mouth just drop open.
Interesting! Tell me more.Took a class on this and it was definetly an eye opener!
I can't believe the things parents have sued over or providers have been responsible for.
I also learned: Do not let staff or your own children babysit for clients. If anything happens to the child the parents can come back on your business because staff/own child should have been taught about the childcare business. It can come back on you that they weren't.
Have children within the hours you are open. If a parent comes before openening or comes after closing and something happens to child, your insurance may not cover it as child was not there during "business" hours.
Parents legally have a right to pick up if they are under the influense. You can cover yourself by documenting, calling police or when they sign up having a form for parents to sign stating exactly what will happen if they pick up under the influence.
This is a tricky situation as more people have the medical marijuana cards and I guess this has created issues for parents picking up children from child cares if they smell like they have been smoking or appear to have been.
These are just a few of the things I did learn and heard so many stories that made your mouth just drop open.
I will never allow a parent under the influence to take off with one of my babies. That's an arrest I'm willing to take.
crazydaycarelady 03:02 PM 06-24-2014
Yes, we want more! LOL
I have never had a drunk parent show up but I would put up a fuss for sure!
I had someone complain to the state because I had a fish tank (the parent didn't like that the water had a heater.) Sad for the kids because they really enjoyed those fish.
I have never had a drunk parent show up but I would put up a fuss for sure!
I had someone complain to the state because I had a fish tank (the parent didn't like that the water had a heater.) Sad for the kids because they really enjoyed those fish.
TwinKristi 03:09 PM 06-24-2014
Originally Posted by nannyde:
Interesting! Tell me more.
I will never allow a parent under the influence to take off with one of my babies. That's an arrest I'm willing to take.
Interesting! Tell me more.
I will never allow a parent under the influence to take off with one of my babies. That's an arrest I'm willing to take.
Yeah I can't imagine just saying "ok, you're within your legal rights to break the law so here ya go! Bye!" Heck to the no! I would call the police before I let them take a child and get in a car under the influence. Obviously if they are under the influence the police can test them right then and there and decide. Would they have a legal leg to stand on in court because "my provider wouldn't let me take my child when I was driving drunk"
Blackcat31 03:10 PM 06-24-2014
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
Took a class on this and it was definetly an eye opener!
I can't believe the things parents have sued over or providers have been responsible for.
I also learned: Do not let staff or your own children babysit for clients. If anything happens to the child the parents can come back on your business because staff/own child should have been taught about the childcare business. It can come back on you that they weren't.
Have children within the hours you are open. If a parent comes before openening or comes after closing and something happens to child, your insurance may not cover it as child was not there during "business" hours.
Parents legally have a right to pick up if they are under the influense. You can cover yourself by documenting, calling police or when they sign up having a form for parents to sign stating exactly what will happen if they pick up under the influence.
This is a tricky situation as more people have the medical marijuana cards and I guess this has created issues for parents picking up children from child cares if they smell like they have been smoking or appear to have been.
These are just a few of the things I did learn and heard so many stories that made your mouth just drop open.
Definitely interesting. Took a class on this and it was definetly an eye opener!
I can't believe the things parents have sued over or providers have been responsible for.
I also learned: Do not let staff or your own children babysit for clients. If anything happens to the child the parents can come back on your business because staff/own child should have been taught about the childcare business. It can come back on you that they weren't.
Have children within the hours you are open. If a parent comes before openening or comes after closing and something happens to child, your insurance may not cover it as child was not there during "business" hours.
Parents legally have a right to pick up if they are under the influense. You can cover yourself by documenting, calling police or when they sign up having a form for parents to sign stating exactly what will happen if they pick up under the influence.
This is a tricky situation as more people have the medical marijuana cards and I guess this has created issues for parents picking up children from child cares if they smell like they have been smoking or appear to have been.
These are just a few of the things I did learn and heard so many stories that made your mouth just drop open.
Wish all parents had to take that course.
It would help them understand then why I do what I do as far as rules and policies.
I already have myself covered in all the above situations.
jenboo 03:25 PM 06-24-2014
Hmm. I have a family that will be coming a half hour early (outside of my business hours) for a couple months... Should I call licensing and get my hours changed??
Country Kids 03:27 PM 06-24-2014
Originally Posted by jenboo:
Hmm. I have a family that will be coming a half hour early (outside of my business hours) for a couple months... Should I call licensing and get my hours changed??
Yes, yes and yes!!!!!Hmm. I have a family that will be coming a half hour early (outside of my business hours) for a couple months... Should I call licensing and get my hours changed??
AmyKidsCo 03:33 PM 06-24-2014
Was this a Tom Copeland training? It sounds like a lot of things he talks about.
I just had a similar conversation with my 9 yr old, about why he can NOT pick up any of the daycare children. I finally found Tom Copeland's blog post that mentions a provider being sued for $300,000 because an older child dropped an infant. I think that finally got through to him.
I just had a similar conversation with my 9 yr old, about why he can NOT pick up any of the daycare children. I finally found Tom Copeland's blog post that mentions a provider being sued for $300,000 because an older child dropped an infant. I think that finally got through to him.
Country Kids 03:42 PM 06-24-2014
Originally Posted by AmyKidsCo:
Was this a Tom Copeland training? It sounds like a lot of things he talks about.
I just had a similar conversation with my 9 yr old, about why he can NOT pick up any of the daycare children. I finally found Tom Copeland's blog post that mentions a provider being sued for $300,000 because an older child dropped an infant. I think that finally got through to him.
No it was a class our R&R did for us. So interesting! Was this a Tom Copeland training? It sounds like a lot of things he talks about.
I just had a similar conversation with my 9 yr old, about why he can NOT pick up any of the daycare children. I finally found Tom Copeland's blog post that mentions a provider being sued for $300,000 because an older child dropped an infant. I think that finally got through to him.
Kinda makes me rethink this profession after 17 years and the risk I'm putting myself and family through!
Bookworm 03:53 PM 06-24-2014
Originally Posted by jenboo:
Hmm. I have a family that will be coming a half hour early (outside of my business hours) for a couple months... Should I call licensing and get my hours changed??
Not trying to hijack but I have a question similar to this. I open my center so I get there 20 min before opening. There have been times when parents show up after I do and try to enter. I tell them we're not open yet and they go back to the car. There have been countless times when I've seen the parent let the child(ren) run around the parking lot. I tell them for safety issues, they have to stay in the car. My question is if they were injured on the property even though we're closed, are we liable? Does my being in the building but not on the clock make a difference?Hmm. I have a family that will be coming a half hour early (outside of my business hours) for a couple months... Should I call licensing and get my hours changed??
Daycare Insurance 04:29 PM 06-24-2014
Originally Posted by Bookworm:
Not trying to hijack but I have a question similar to this. I open my center so I get there 20 min before opening. There have been times when parents show up after I do and try to enter. I tell them we're not open yet and they go back to the car. There have been countless times when I've seen the parent let the child(ren) run around the parking lot. I tell them for safety issues, they have to stay in the car. My question is if they were injured on the property even though we're closed, are we liable? Does my being in the building but not on the clock make a difference?
The short answer is yes, you are liable, it is still your premises and the parents have the right to sue you. Make sure you are operating with good liability insurance.Not trying to hijack but I have a question similar to this. I open my center so I get there 20 min before opening. There have been times when parents show up after I do and try to enter. I tell them we're not open yet and they go back to the car. There have been countless times when I've seen the parent let the child(ren) run around the parking lot. I tell them for safety issues, they have to stay in the car. My question is if they were injured on the property even though we're closed, are we liable? Does my being in the building but not on the clock make a difference?
Country Kids 04:34 PM 06-24-2014
Originally Posted by Daycare Insurance:
The short answer is yes, you are liable, it is still your premises and the parents have the right to sue you. Make sure you are operating with good liability insurance.
Thank you for chiming in!!!The short answer is yes, you are liable, it is still your premises and the parents have the right to sue you. Make sure you are operating with good liability insurance.
I never knew there were actual companies for Daycare!
Bookworm 06:38 PM 06-24-2014
Originally Posted by Daycare Insurance:
The short answer is yes, you are liable, it is still your premises and the parents have the right to sue you. Make sure you are operating with good liability insurance.
I'll ask about liability insurance. Last question, what if we have No Trespassing signs posted?The short answer is yes, you are liable, it is still your premises and the parents have the right to sue you. Make sure you are operating with good liability insurance.
Country Kids 03:26 PM 06-24-2014
Actually all parents won in most of the situations they were telling us.
I guess its not a course you would want parents to take as it would open up all kinds of things.
Oh one more very interesting thing-your parent handbooks/policies WILL NOT stand up in court! Only your contracts and a contract is only a document that is covering fees for payments and such.
I see where Nannyde and a couple others wanted to hear more. What kind of things would you like to hear?
I guess its not a course you would want parents to take as it would open up all kinds of things.
Oh one more very interesting thing-your parent handbooks/policies WILL NOT stand up in court! Only your contracts and a contract is only a document that is covering fees for payments and such.
I see where Nannyde and a couple others wanted to hear more. What kind of things would you like to hear?