The Most Common Signs of Negligent Child Care

For parents, keeping their children safe is a top priority — but that responsibility can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s time to leave your child in someone else’s care. Whether you’re working full time, part time, or managing other obligations, you may eventually need to rely on one of these organizations to take care of your child:

• daycare center
• short term care at a church, gym, or drop-in center
• sleep away camp
• summer day camp
• after-school program
• sports program
• arts program
• community center
• tutoring classes

In doing so, you entrust the provider or facility with the care and safety of your child. Unfortunately, the abuse or neglect of children in a daycare or other settings can lead to serious injuries, and sometimes even death. According to the CDC, beyond the immediate health impacts, children who suffer neglect or abuse are at risk of developing problems like anxiety or toxic stress. This can adversely affect brain development and result in post-traumatic stress and other long term emotional and cognitive disorders.

Thankfully, you can actively work to keep your children safe from negligence or abuse. This begins by making informed decisions about who cares for them, by paying close attention to any potential red flags, and, if necessary, speaking to an experienced childcare abuse attorney.

Finding a Safe Daycare Center

When searching online for daycare centers in Georgia, you can start with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)’s website to find childcare centers near you. In addition to providing some basic information about the daycare, searches on this site give you access to reports on licensing, monitoring visits made by DECAL employees, and any incidents where an individual daycare was found to be in violation of Georgia state rules.

DECAL also sets basic requirements for individuals working in a childcare or daycare center. While some individual childcare programs may have stricter criteria, the following are the minimum statewide requirements as of May 2025:

• Childcare workers must be at least 18 years old.
• They must pass a comprehensive background screening and fingerprint check, including checks against Georgia and federal criminal databases and the national sex offender registry.
• They must also complete a health check or have an appropriate physician’s statement and be free of any contagious or debilitating conditions. Some employers also require an up-to-date tuberculosis (TB) test for employees. Although the US generally has low rates of TB cases, the Georgia Department of Public Health considers TB a serious public health issue, and several Georgia counties (Dekalb, Fulton and Gwinnett) reported higher than average cases for the state in 2023.

The state of Georgia also has several educational requirements for childcare workers:

• Employees must have obtained either a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent (GED),
• They must successfully complete required orientation and trainings that cover Georgia’s licensing rules, emergency procedures, child abuse recognition and reporting, and age-appropriate guidance,
• And they must meet yearly training hours requirements such as first aid, CPR certification, and other continuing education courses approved by DECAL on health, child development, and safety topics. As of July 1, 2025, DECAL will require at least one staff member certified in CPR/first aid in every classroom at all times, and new hire certification in CPR/first aid within 45 days.

Some Georgia daycare centers, especially those with national accreditation, may require that workers have Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials or an equivalent early childhood education certificate. Others may set additional education standards, such as college coursework requirements, or require prior childcare experience.

Visiting the Daycare Center

However complete they may be, certifications and reports aren’t enough proof of your child’s safety at a daycare center. You have to visit in person to get a sense of how safe the facility is and to look for any red flags that indicate they neglect the safety of children in their care. When visiting a daycare, here are some common signs of childcare negligence to look for:

• Not enough childcare workers. Every state across the U.S. has laws dictating how many daycare employees must be present based upon the number and age of children in attendance at a facility. When you see that there are apparently few staff at your child’s daycare, this could be a sign that children may not be properly cared for. In the state of Georgia, one staff member is required for every six infants under a year old. One staff member is required for every eight toddlers (one to three years old).
• Clutter, office supplies, and other small objects that are within a child’s reach. Small objects such as paper clips, push pins, staples, and other choking hazards should never be left within a child’s reach. If you notice that there are objects like these close to where children are playing, it is a sign that the facility is not prioritizing safety.
• Equipment and play areas have sharp points or corners, splinters, glass, nails or other protruding parts, flaking paint, or rusty metal parts.
• Cleaning supplies are within a child’s reach. If you notice cleaning supplies such as toilet bowl cleaner, laundry detergent or dish soap stored where a child could easily reach them, or cabinets with these supplies that are left unlocked, it could be a sign of negligence. Each year several hundred children are harmed when they come into contact with hazardous substances at childcare centers.
• Buckets, tubs and other sources of water are left out instead of being emptied immediately. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, buckets, especially the large, five gallon type, are responsible for many toddler deaths by drowning.
• Look for signs of cleanliness in the daycare. Do staff wear disposable booties in the infant room? Are staff wearing gloves when changing diapers?

After Picking Up Your Child from Daycare

After your child has started attending a daycare, you should continue to keep aware of any signs that suggest negligence. These include:

• Unexplained injuries. While it is common for children playing together to get the occasional cut or scrape, if you see your child regularly come home with bruises, scratches, or other injuries, it could be a sign that your child’s safety is not prioritized, or worse, they are being abused at the daycare.
• Poor efficiency. At drop off and pick up times, staff should be well organized. If staff members appear stressed, it may indicate there is inadequate coverage.
• High staff turnover. Frequently departing staff members may be another indication that the facility is mismanaged.

Short-Term Drop-Off Childcare

Over the course of a childhood, parents sometimes have to depend on a combination of impromptu childcare services. These range from a “Mom’s Morning Out” at a local church, to a childcare room at a gym or during religious services, to a commercial drop-in center at a mall or hotel. It can be helpful to take a few moments to observe whether a program appears to prioritize safety before deciding to leave your child in their care.

• Identification: Many programs have procedures in place to verify guardianship at check-in and check-out, such as requiring photo ID. Some also use matching systems—like wristbands or tags—that help ensure children are released to the correct adult.
• Registration: It’s common for staff to collect contact information at sign-in, including alternate contacts. Having this information stored digitally can help ensure it’s accessible quickly in case of an emergency.
• Staff supervision: In settings similar to daycare centers, staff-to-child ratios often mirror state guidelines—for example, one staff member for every six infants or every eight toddlers. Staff members should be focused on supervising children rather than attending to unrelated tasks or conversations.
• Cleanliness: Because these venues welcome many drop-in visitors, the risk of spreading illnesses like influenza, RSV, or hand, foot and mouth disease may be higher. Signs such as dirty surfaces, overcrowded rooms, unattended crying, or visibly stressed staff might suggest areas that warrant closer attention.

Keeping Kids Safe in the Summer

During summer vacations, working parents often have to place their school-age children in camps, either local day camps or resident (“sleep away”) camps. Camps that serve children under five, operate year round, or exceed 12 hours a day must obtain a childcare license from DECAL.​ But day camps serving children aged 5 and older in the summer and during school breaks for fewer than 12 hours per day are typically exempt from licensure. However, they are still required to adhere to health and safety guidelines, including staff background checks,​ appropriate supervision ratios, facilities and equipment safety, and emergency preparedness plans​.

Signs of Negligence at Sleep Away Camps

Parents can’t always inspect a sleep away campsite in advance, as many camps are located in more remote locations in Georgia. And Georgia does not require any state-level licensing for sleep away camps beyond compliance with Georgia Department of Health’s health and safety regulations.

Fortunately, many summer camps are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), an organization that sets comprehensive standards for camps throughout the United States. Accredited camps are inspected every three to five years by ACA reviewers, and have to meet approximately 300 standards for operation, covering areas such as:

• Camper-to-staff ratios, including minimum camper supervision rations as well as others based on specifics such as those for special needs campers.
• Staff screening including background checks, interviews, and reference verification.
• Staff training in child development, behavioral issues, supervision techniques.
• Campsite premises safety including buildings, cabins, fencing and lighting.
• Sanitation and food safety that includes rules for allergies and special diets.
• First aid and CPR qualifications such as requiring on site health staff and proper storage and administration of medications.
• Emergency preparedness plans for situations like missing campers, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and communicable disease outbreaks.
• Transportation policies requiring appropriate licensing, background checks, and training for all drivers.
• Abuse prevention protocols including required staff training on appropriate interactions with children, recognizing and reporting abuse, and abuse investigation procedures – all supported by a written code of conduct.
• Activity-specific requirements that ensure that instructors and lifeguards are certified for swimming, boating, or sports activities, and that equipment and safety gear is in good condition and usage by campers is mandatory.

You can verify a member camp’s accreditation status directly at www.acacamps.org or ask the camp to show you their ACA accreditation certificate. The organization’s website also houses a complete list of laws and regulations pertaining to camps by state. This can be helpful if you are considering a camp outside of Georgia.

Additional Questions to Ask When Deciding on a Sleep Away Camp

When exploring camp options, it’s important to consider whether the camp aligns with your approach to parenting, and how that approach is reflected in its programming and daily activities. For example, some camps lean more toward structured programming, while others allow for more free-choice and unstructured time. Technology policies also vary widely, so parents should ask about the camp’s stance on electronic device usage.

Since campers are typically grouped by age, interests, or sometimes gender, it’s useful to understand how those groupings are determined. The camper retention rate can also provide insight into overall satisfaction and the strength of the camp community. It’s equally important to know how the camp supports children who may struggle with homesickness and what kind of emotional support systems are in place.

Finally, understanding how the camp stays in touch with parents – whether for routine updates or emergency communication – can provide peace of mind and help build trust in the camp’s operations.

Keeping Your Child Safe at a Summer Day Camp

Daily summer camps must provide a safe environment, even if children attend only a few hours per day. When exploring options for summer day camps, here are some topics to discuss with the program’s coordinator:

If campers bring their own lunch and snacks, ask about:

• Food safety practices, such as refrigeration and hand washing
• Handling of food allergies
• Accommodation of dietary restrictions

Check for safety measures such as:

• Lifeguard certification for staff, if applicable
• Daily drop-off and pick-up procedures
• Transportation safety, if the camp includes offsite activities or field trips

Ensure the camp has clear communication protocols, including:

• Emergency notifications
• A daily activity schedule
• Incident reports

When looking at summer options, be aware that a summer day camp might not have the same level of state oversight as a licensed daycare. Georgia law 591-1-1-.46(c)7 allows some exemptions for religious day camp programs, like vacation bible schools, that operate during summer or other school breaks for twelve or fewer hours per day. To comply, these programs must still:

• Conduct background checks on all staff members
• Keep accurate attendance records for all children enrolled in the program
• Maintain compliance with applicable local, regional, and state health departments, fire marshal, and building codes

But they do not have to:

• Adhere to a specific child/staff ratio
• Comply with transportation safety guidelines
• Require credentials and ongoing training for teachers, for example, in first aid
• Allow monitoring and regulatory visits by DECAL

Because they are not held to the same standard as licensed care programs, these camps will require a signature from parents acknowledging that they understand that the program is not licensed by the state of Georgia.

Safe Camps for Children with Special Needs

Choosing a camp for your child with special needs requires considering some additional safety factors. It’s important to ask whether the camp has a proven track record of successfully supporting children with needs similar to your child’s.

• Staff should be experienced in medical protocols related to special needs children.
• They should be trained in behavioral management techniques.
• If the camp is inclusive, welcoming children with diverse needs, camp staff should actively support positive peer interactions and foster disability awareness.
• Your special needs child may require a greater level of individual attention; if so, a lower staff-to-camper ratio is important.
• The camp’s physical environment plays a crucial role. Facilities should be fully accessible, taking into consideration mobility requirements, the availability of calming, sensory-friendly environments, accessible bathrooms, and other necessary equipment.

Keeping School Age Children Safe

After-School Programs

For caring for children for the interim between the end of the school day and the end of the workday, many parents rely on after school programs, either a school-hosted, church-sponsored, or a community program like Boys & Girls clubs. These organizations offer an excellent opportunity for children to interact with peers, improve academically, and explore new interests. To check if an after-school program is safe for your child, speak with the program coordinator responsible for administering it. You will want to know:

• If the program is licensed by the state or accredited by a recognized organization, such as the National Afterschool Association.
• That staff members have undergone background checks and hold certifications like CPR and first aid.
• That all staff are qualified, with experience in child development, education, or youth work.
• That the staff-to-child ratio ensures that children receive adequate attention.
• The program’s safety policies and procedures, including how staff have responded to past emergencies such as medical incidents or severe weather events.

Visiting the facility in person is crucial; you should see:

• Clean and well-lit rooms, with equipment that is well-maintained and age-appropriate.
• Children actively supervised at all times, with group sizes small enough for each child to receive meaningful attention.
• A secure, well-organized process in place for checking children in and out.

In addition to visiting, it’s helpful to talk to other parents, read online reviews, or request references. It’s also wise to ask the program director how behavior issues or conflicts among children are managed. Finally, pay attention to how your child feels about the program after attending; if something feels wrong, it’s worth investigating further.

Safety at Sports Practices

Sports activities, such as school-sponsored teams, neighborhood leagues or swim teams, and private facilities for gymnastics or martial arts are some of the more common places where children sustain injuries. Even though these kinds of injuries are mostly unintentional or unavoidable, it’s still important to vet sports venues to ensure they are safe for your child.

Some organizations have developed their own safety policies, such as the Little League’s Child Protection Program. Other organizations can receive training and certification from the National Alliance for Youth Sports, which promotes standards for safe practices, adult screening, emergency procedures, age-appropriate practices and disciplinary policies, as well as a coach rating system for parents. Policies like these can help you verify that the program is properly organized under a school, league, or trusted organization, and that coaches and staff have passed background checks. Some other indicators of a safe and reputable sports program include:

• Coaches are trained not only in the sport itself, but also in first aid, CPR, and basic child safety.
• Programs prioritize sportsmanship, skill development, and teamwork – rather than aggressive competitiveness – and offer a more supportive environment. Coaches model respectful behavior and address bullying or inappropriate conduct, contributing to a positive experience for all children.
• Player safety is important:
  • The coach-to-player ratio to ensure adequate supervision
  • There are clear safety guidelines – such as requirements for protective gear like helmets or pads
  • Procedures are in place for handling injuries and emergencies
  • There are specific protocols for managing head injuries, especially in contact sports
• The condition of the physical environment also plays an important role. Well-maintained fields, courts, and equipment that suit children’s ages and sizes are all necessary to ensure their safety.

Observing a practice or game can offer additional insights. Things like physical roughness, unattended injuries, lack of water breaks, inappropriate language, or understaffing indicate areas of concern.

And of course, trust your instincts. Noticing how your child feels after practices or games can give you a sense of whether the program is a good fit for them. The right sports program should leave your child feeling supported, energized, and excited to participate.

Keeping Your Child Safe at Art, Dance, or Music Classes

Arts enrichment classes are another childcare arrangement parents may opt for for their school age children, such as ballet, theater, visual arts, or band practices. Some of these (like painting or sculpture) are less physical, and more individual activities, while others (theater, band, and dance) tend to be group activities. An arts center that focuses on child safety will display these qualities:

• Studios, stages, classrooms, and rehearsal spaces are kept clean, well-lit, and free of hazards.
• Fire exits and emergency procedures are clearly marked and communicated, with first aid supplies and fire extinguishers readily available.
• Dance or theater programs include proper flooring and lighting; stage areas remain free of clutter, with lighting, sound equipment, ladders, and large props safely secured.
• Painting, sculpture, and other arts classes take place in well-ventilated environments – particularly when paints, solvents, plaster of Paris, or clay dusts are present.
• Instructors remain aware of age-appropriate art materials. Any potentially hazardous tools (e.g., utility knives, paper cutters, hot glue guns, power tools) are used only under close supervision.
• Teaching spaces are open and easily accessible, avoiding private or unobserved areas.
• Where arts centers share space with adult programs, children’s areas are clearly separated for added security.

When vetting one of these venues for your child, you may need to watch a class in action to look for any red flags. These may also include the lack of a clear sign-in/sign-out process, an overall chaotic environment, or inexperienced staff.

Safe Kids at Community Centers and Libraries

Libraries and community centers usually require parents to be on site during events for very young children such as story times. For drop-off programs for older children, libraries and community centers should have clear check-in and check-out procedures.

These organizations should have a child safety policy in place, including clear procedures for handling children who have been left unattended. Most will have specific rules that detail exactly what will happen if a child is still on or outside the premises at closing time. They should also have documented safety procedures, including what to do if a child is injured, lost, or in an emergency like a fire or lockdown situation. Staff are usually trained to act quickly and contact parents or emergency services as needed. Before taking your child to an event at one of these venues, check to see if policies like these are clearly posted online.

When visiting, take a few minutes to assess the environment for safety. For example, staff and volunteers should be wearing identification badges at all times. Children should stay within designated areas and show respectful behavior toward staff and other children. If children are seen wandering out of the building or into restricted areas like staff rooms or storage closets, it’s an indication of lax security.

Be alert to other signs that the environment may not be safe for your child. For instance, if there is no established policy for bathroom supervision of younger children or if the facility has multiple unsupervised entry and exit points, it should raise safety concerns. Poor visibility within the building – such as dim lighting, obstructed sightlines, or windowless, isolated rooms – may also signal that the space is not well designed for keeping children in view and protected.

Tutoring, Homeschooling, and Learning Pods

At some point, older school age children may benefit from tutoring classes. These could be test prep, language learning, or remedial instruction in topics like math or English. They may be individual or group classes, and may be held in a tutoring center or a library or community facility. Even for short-term engagements, it is important to check the tutoring organization and its staff to ensure they are committed to your child’s safety. For example:

• The management of the organization should be transparent about the program’s screening process for instructors.
• Background checks should be conducted on all staff and references from other parents readily available.
• Students should be supervised at all times.
• Study rooms should be open or have windows so that occupants remain visible.
• Tutors should have access to contact information in case of accidents or emergencies.

Some signs to look for that indicate a potentially unsafe or poorly managed tutoring or test prep program are:

• Consistently overcrowded, under supervised classes
• A reliance on inexperienced tutors who may lack the skills to manage students effectively
• High staff turnover
• Students left unsupervised outside the facility

These signs warrant further investigation and may signal a program that doesn’t prioritize your child’s well-being and learning.

When Even the Best Safety Measures Aren’t Enough

As parents we do our best to entrust our children to the care of professionals with their best interests at heart. But sometimes even our best efforts aren’t enough. In short, you are right to suspect negligence anytime your child comes home from a daycare, camp, or other childcare setting displaying:

• A sudden change in behavior
• Aggression, anxiety, or depression
• Fear or unwillingness to attend that does not resolve itself in a few days
• Unexplained physical injuries like bruises or welts

If you believe your child has been injured while in the care of another, do not hesitate to call us. You and your child could be entitled to valuable compensation if it is found that the childcare provider negligently caused your child’s injury, including compensation for medical expenses, pain & suffering, and punitive damages if it is found that the care provider and its employees’ conduct was particularly egregious. Do not delay in seeking legal assistance from an experienced daycare abuse attorney, as you have a limited amount of time to pursue a claim, and important evidence can become lost.

Put Our Law Firm’s Over 40 Years Of Legal Experience To Work For Your Case!

If your child has suffered abuse or neglect at a daycare center, sleepaway camp, day camp or other venue, contact Montlick Injury Attorneys for your free consultation today. Montlick has been representing those who suffer serious injuries for over 40 years.