Top Safety Standards College Station Daycares Should Follow

In College Station, Texas, childcare centers must comply with the Minimum Standards for Childcare Centers established by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to guarantee the safety, health, and welfare of children. The rules outlined in Chapter 746 of the Texas Administrative Code address the various operational aspects of a daycare enterprise. The key safety guidelines from Texas laws and industry best practices that College Station licensed daycares should adhere to are outlined below:  

Child-to-Caregiver Ratios  

Requirement: To provide adequate supervision, childcare facilities must be linked with child-to-caregiver ratios determined by the ages of the children. For instance:  

• Infants (0-17 months): 1 caregiver per 4 infants.  

• Toddlers (18-35 months): 1 caregiver per 9 toddlers.  

• Preschoolers (3-5 years): Ratios vary but typically allow more children per caregiver as age increases.  

Why It Matters: Appropriate ratios prevent neglect, minimize accidental incidents, and enable caregivers to attend to emergencies quickly. Parents in College Station should ensure local day cares comply with appropriate ratios when touring or inspecting the sites. 

Staff Qualifications and Background Checks  

Requirement: All caregivers must have a complete background check, including a criminal history check and a check of the child abuse registry, before working with children. Caregivers are also required to complete:  

• Pre-employment training and 24 hours of annual training, including pediatric first aid and CPR certification.   

• Ongoing training to stay updated on child safety and development.  

Why It Matters: Qualified and vetted staff will reduce the risk of abuse or neglect and also be capable of handling an allergic reaction or injury.  

Facility Safety Standards  

Requirements:   

• Building Safety: Secure doors, windows, and exits; maintain floors and walls; childproof electrical outlets; and anchor heavy furniture (e.g., TVs, shelves).  

• Playground Safety: Make sure the equipment is age-appropriate, sturdy, and maintained, with appropriate cushioning for fall protection (for example, mulch or rubber mats). There are no exposed sharp edges or broken parts.  

• Fire Safety: Working smoke detectors, accessible fire extinguishers, and clear, unobstructed emergency exits. Regular fire drills are mandatory.  

• Outdoor Security: There is a secure fence surrounding the play area, and the gated entry points have supporting locks to prevent children from wandering off.  

Why It Matters: According to a recent Texas HHSC report, unsafe playgrounds and interior dangers are responsible for 40% of daycare injuries.  

Health and Hygiene Standards  

Requirements:   

• Regular sanitization of toys, potty chairs, sleeping areas, and surfaces to prevent illness.  

• Proper handwashing protocols for staff and children (e.g., before meals, after diapering, or after wiping noses).  

• Exclusion of sick children with symptoms like fever above 101°F (oral) or vomiting to prevent disease spread. Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning.  

• Safe food handling practices, proper storage procedures, and allergy action plans, including information regarding food allergies to be posted in kitchens and classrooms, are paramount.  

Why It Matters: Unsanitary conditions can lead to infections, and improper food handling can trigger severe allergic reactions, especially since 1 in 13 children has a food allergy.  

Emergency Preparedness  

Requirements:   

• Employees must receive training on how to identify and respond to medical emergencies, such as head injuries or allergic reactions (using EpiPens). 

• Daycares also need to have an emergency plan in place, plan for evacuations, and notify parents. 

• Medications must be stored in original containers, labeled with the child’s name, and administered with recorded details (date, time, dosage).  

Why It Matters: Timely responses, even during emergencies, can eliminate escalation of injuries, such as concussion or anaphylaxis, that may result in lifelong consequences.  

Supervision and Visibility  

Requirement: Caregivers must maintain constant visual and auditory supervision of children to anticipate and mitigate risks, such as falls, choking, or wandering.  

Why It Matters: Lack of supervision is a leading cause of injuries, including falls, burns, or children leaving the facility unnoticed, especially in summer when overheating in vehicles is a risk.  

Parental Notifications and Incident Reporting  

Requirement:  

• In the event of any injury, even minor scratches, contact the parents right away. 

• Write down everything that happened, who was there, and how the daycare handled the injury in your thorough incident/illness report. The state must receive a copy.  

Why It Matters: Failure to provide an incident report or refusing to share it violates Texas law and may indicate negligence.  

Safe Sleep Practices for Infants  

Requirement: Infants must be placed on their backs in cribs meeting federal safety standards, with no pillows, blankets, or soft toys. If an infant arrives asleep in a car seat, they must be moved to a crib.  

Why It Matters: Improper sleep practices increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or suffocation.  

Hazardous Materials and Medication Safety  

Requirement: Chemicals, medicines, and tools must be locked away and inaccessible to children. Medications must be in original containers, labeled, and not expired.  

Why It Matters: Unsecured hazardous materials can lead to poisoning or injuries, especially for curious toddlers.  

Parental Access and Transparency  

Requirement: Daycares must allow parents to access inspection reports and licensing history upon request. The Texas HHSC database (available at www.hhs.texas.gov) provides public records of violations and compliance.  

Why It Matters: Transparency ensures parents can make informed decisions and hold daycares accountable.  

How Parents in College Station Can Ensure Compliance  

1. Check Licensing: Verify that the daycare is licensed by searching the Texas HHSC database (www.hhs.texas.gov).  
2. Visit the Facility: While on tour, take notice of the cleanliness, safety, and childproofed environment of the facility. Ask about staff training, ratios, and the type of emergency plans in place.  
3. Review Inspection Reports: Ask for the most recent inspection reports from the daycare or look online for violation history.  
4. Ask Questions: Look at the way children are supervised, hygiene practices, and handling incidents.   
5. Trust Your Instincts: If a daycare is reluctant to provide information, it should be a red flag.  

Not meeting these standards can lead to fines, probation, or inactivation of a license. If a violation causes an injury to a child, a parent might be able to bring a lawsuit against the daycare provider for damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.   

By ensuring daycares in College Station adhere to these standards, parents can protect their children from preventable risks like injuries, infections, or neglect. For more details, review the complete Minimum Standards for Childcare Centers (Chapter 746) on the Texas HHSC website.  

Legal Support for Daycare Injuries with Bivona Law  

Bivona Law can assist if your kid is hurt at a College Station daycare because of carelessness or a failure to adhere to these safety regulations. With a commitment to “no runaround, no legal mumbo jumbo,” Bivona Law offers free consultations and works on a contingency basis, meaning no fees unless you win. We serve families in College Station and surrounding areas, helping recover compensation for medical expenses, pain, and emotional distress. Contact Bivona Law at (832) 219-1621to protect your child’s rights.