By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Should a caretaker, babysitter, parent, or childcare provider slide down the playground slide with a child? And playgrounds in every community there’re are typically slides many caregivers, babysitters daycare providers, and other adults believe that the safest thing to do is to put the child on one’s lab and slide down with the child. There are some risk and dangers when an adult goes down a slide with a child on his or her lap. In particular, the rubber soul of the child’s shoe gets caught or stuck on the way down the slide. As a result thereof, the child may suffer a leg injury and even a leg fracture.
In the State of Indiana, religious and church based day care centers are exempt from certain Indiana day care and child care rules and regulations. The day care regulations that apply to commercial and in-home daycare centers do not apply across the board to religious or church based day care centers. In the State of Indiana, there is a regulation call commonly referred to a sight and sound supervision. This regulation requires that a day care center have a staff member within the “sight and sound” of each child under the care and supervision of the day care center. See 
Children are the unfortunate and tragic victims of drownings in swimming pools, bath tubs, ponds, lakes, rivers, water parks, oceans, and theme parks. Many such drownings are preventable with consistent, timely, and effective adult supervision. Children are at risk for drownings any place where water congregates. A shallow end, bath tub, and other areas are not safer than other locations. Even children who are strong swimmers and older children can drown without proper supervision. It is well known that children (from the young through teenagers) lack good safety judgment and often go near or in body of water without well reasoned thought or safety precautions.
In the State of Washington, children should be provided a safe educational environment. Unfortuantely, children are injured at schools, day care centers, and playgrounds. Some injuries and incidents are preventable with more timely care and supervision. Other incidents are tragic and there is no blame to lay on the person, school, or day care center. A recent shooting was reported at Armin Jahr Elementary School in Bremerton Washington. It was reported that a third grader was accidentally shot by another student at the school. It is believed that another third grader had brought the gun to the school. In cases of this nature, there are several issues that will be part of the investigation including but not limited to the following:
The Georgia Department of Family and Children Services is the State of Georgia agency responsible for the supervision and monitoring of foster care child placement in Georgia. It is the responsibility of the Department of Family and Children Services and the staff members to properly monitor and document foster care that is provided for children under the authority and supervision of the State of Georgia. Unfortunately, at times, the system and staff members of the Department of Family and Children Services fail a child or “drop the ball” which, in turn, can cause serious personal injuries and the deaths of innocent children.
Day care centers in Indiana are operated in homes, businesses, and churches. When a child is under the care and supervision of an Indiana day care center, it is vital that the staff members provide appropriate and timely supervision of the children under the care of the child care center. It is especially important to monitor the children and keep them away from risks and hazards in or near the facility. This is especially true when there are pools, bath tubs, ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water on or near the property of the Indiana day care center. Pools, tubs, and other areas should have enclosures, tarps, covers, gates, and other safety precautions when practical to have these items in place. A small child can drown in even a small amount of water. Because of this, all day care center employees should be well trained regarding safety precautions including those that should be put in place around water areas. It is well known that children lack safety awareness. Many small children see an area of water as a play area full of adventure. These children do not realize the true risk and danger of being in or near the water.
In South Carolina and other States, corporal punishment is permitted in schools and day care centers. Some States prohibit the use of corporal punishment in day care centers. Some States allow each county to decide whether corporal punishment is permitted in county schools. Since the laws and regulations can vary from State to State and County to County, it is important to review the laws and regulations and / or contact a Child Injury Attorney to determine the laws and regulations on point. If corporal punishment is implemented, rules and regulations must be followed. In particular, the corporal punishment should not be implemented in a manner that causes personal injuries requiring medical care and attention. Corporal punishment, whether permitted or not under a particular law or regulations, will be excessive if it amounts to abuse and neglect.
Day care centers and child care centers have a duty to provide a safe and clean educational environment to the children. It is important that day care centers and their staff members keep poisons and toxins away from the reach of children. It is well know that children are curious and do not always recognize a food item / drink from a poison or toxin. At times, day care providers mistakenly serve poisons or toxins to children under the care of the day care center or child care center.
Day Care Centers are subject to State rules and regulations as well as internal and company wide policies and procedures. When these regulations, policies, and procedures are followed by day care centers, there is a strong likelihood that the day care center is clean, safe, and well staffed. Most policies are in place for the protection and well being of the children under the care of the day care center. It is important that the day care center have proper staff to child ratios, well maintained indoor and outdoor facilities, emergency procedures, record keeping standards, and other practices in place. When a day care center cuts corners and / or ignores policies, procedures, or regulations, children are put at risk and danger for personal injuries.
While a child is under the care of a babysitter, parent, grandparent, day care center, school, or other person or entity, the child should be provided with a safe and clean living environment. Unfortunately, there are many inexperienced or inpatient child care providers out there who use means to punish or discipline a child that can cause serious personal injuries to the child. The fact that certain disciplinary acts have a long history do not make them safe, legal, or morally right. Using scalding water as a form of discipline can lead to serious personal injuries. In addition, the person, who uses this technique of discipline, may face criminal charges especially in situations in which the abused child is hospitalized or otherwise needs medical care and treatment.