Austin, Texas Daycare Licensing and Safety Regulations Explained

When you drop your child off at daycare, you trust caregivers who are supposed to protect and nurture your child, not put them at risk. As parents ourselves, we understand how terrifying it can be to find out that your child has been hurt at a facility you believed was safe. At Bivona Law Firm, we’ve helped countless families across Texas hold negligent daycares accountable, and it often starts with understanding the rules they’re required to follow.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) regulates daycare centers in Austin and throughout the state of Texas. These regulations are designed to keep children safe, outlining everything from staff training requirements to the number of caregivers needed per child. But when those rules are ignored or corners are cut, children can get seriously injured, and families deserve answers and justice.

Understanding Austin's licensing and safety standards can empower you to recognize when something has gone wrong and what you can do about it.

What Are the Licensing Requirements for Daycares in Austin?

All licensed child care operations in Austin must meet strict criteria set by Child Care Licensing (CCL), a division of Texas DFPS. Facilities must pass background checks, adhere to fire and health codes, and meet minimum staffing ratios.

Here are a few key requirements:

• Staff-to-child ratios vary by age (e.g., one caregiver for every four infants, 1 for every 11 preschoolers). While the state mandates this, you should also diligently check that they follow the ratios when deciding on a daycare.
• Employees must complete pre-service training, including CPR, first aid, and child abuse prevention.
• Facilities must maintain clean, hazard-free environments with age-appropriate toys and equipment. Oftentimes, accidents occur due to negligence in the facility that could have been prevented.
• Regular inspections by DFPS are mandatory, and any violations are documented and made available to the public.

Parents can look up daycare inspection reports using the Texas Child Care Search tool, an important step in evaluating a facility’s safety record. We highly encourage every parent to check it out, regardless of whether an accident has occurred, as there may be some reports you aren't aware of.

Safety Regulations Daycares Must Follow

Beyond licensing, there are specific safety standards that every daycare in Austin must meet, including:

• Supervision at all times: No child should ever be left alone or out of sight. If you think your child is being left unsupervised, call us immediately.
• Safe sleeping practices: Infants must be placed on their backs in cribs without pillows, blankets, or toys
• Meal and allergy protocols: Daycares must be aware of and accommodate known food allergies
• Playground safety: Outdoor equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained to avoid injury

Failure to follow these standards can result in serious harm, including falls and broken bones, allergic reactions, or worse. Sadly, we’ve worked with families all across Texas, including in Austin, where injuries could have been prevented if rules had been followed.

At Bivona Law Firm, we aim to ensure that all parents know the rules and responsibilities that Austin, Texas, daycares are legally obligated to follow so that if an incident occurs, they know how to approach it. Our goal is to help parents identify the right daycare for their child to avoid harm altogether.

What Happens When a Daycare Violates These Rules?

When a daycare in Austin violates state laws or regulations, DFPS may:

• Issue citations
• Suspend or revoke licenses
• Launch investigations into abuse or neglect
• Report violations to law enforcement

But administrative actions alone may not be enough. If your child was injured, you may have the right to pursue a civil claim for negligence. That’s where we come in.

Hold Negligent Daycares Accountable

Your child's safety is not optional, and at Bivona Law, we will ensure that daycare facilities understand that. If your child was hurt due to a daycare’s failure to follow safety regulations in Austin, you’re not just dealing with medical bills, you're dealing with broken trust, fear, and frustration, but you're not alone.

We’ll walk you through every step of the legal process with care and clarity, and we’ll fight to get your family the justice and peace of mind you deserve.

Call us today for a free, confidential consultation. We’re here to listen, we’re here to help, and we're here to advocate for the little voices.