When the adults you trust to care for your child fail to uphold their responsibility, they may be violating the law. A parent’s greatest fear is sexual or physical harm to their child, and while it’s impossible to be present for them around the clock, knowing the signs of neglect at a daycare facility can help you act more swiftly. Even older children may withhold details about abuse out of fear, which is why parents must stay alert if they have suspicions of daycare negligence.
Bruises, Scratches, and Other Injuries
Unexplained bruises, scratches, or markings are a clear red flag. Checking your child regularly for injuries can help you find common warning signs of abuse. When you’re touring daycares, note any seemingly unsafe conditions indoors and outdoors and ask questions about staff credentials.
Changed or Unusual Behavior
All children react differently to abuse, and abuse exists in various forms. Physical, psychological, or emotional abuse inflicted on children may prompt them to exhibit the following behaviors:
- Aggression
- Wetting the bed or regression to infant-like behavior
- Disturbed sleep
- Becoming clingy or unusually fearful
- Flinching
- Anxiety
Inadequate Staff
Your child needs to be supervised appropriately to remain safe while you aren’t present, which is entrusted to the daycare employees. The New York licensing standards for daycare employee-to-child ratios vary by age; confirm with your childcare provider that the appropriate number of staff members will be present with your child’s group in compliance with these guidelines.
Bring Your Daycare Negligence Case to Leav and Steinberg
Suspecting that your child is suffering from abuse is a horrifying experience, and though you may hope for the opposite for the sake of your child, you should call the police as soon as possible if you can verify the abuse. If your child is a victim of daycare abuse or negligence, contact the lawyers at Leav & Steinberg LLP. We’ve helped our New York clients recover millions in verdicts and settlements and are happy to offer a free consultation to determine if you have a case.
