Should I file a complaint against my child care provider?

Question

I love my child care provider - she's loving, smart, experienced and my kids love her. Plus, she's close by our house.

However, in her backyard she installs a trampoline each spring. My husband and I have asked that she not let our children play on it, because the risk of them getting seriously injured while we're not there is too much.

My 8-year-old understands. My 3-year-old doesn't, and he becomes surly and difficult for the whole day because of this issue. Finding new childcare will be difficult, both for us and for my toddler.

According to the State's licensing requirements, she can't have a trampoline and still maintain a valid license. She has shown no inclination towards removing the trampoline. Should I mention the licensing rules to her, and risk souring our good relationship? Should I report her anonymously, and hope for the best?

Answer 1

I am both a mom (of 4) and a licensed child care provider (for 20 years) in the state of Michigan. I am not a big fan of trampolines from either stand-point due to injuries. Several things will probably come into play before you finally decide what to do about this situation. First, make sure you have a copy of the most current Licensing Rules (they do change). In Michigan, Rule R 400.1920 (6) says "Trampolines shall not be used outdoors by children in care." So, I wouldn't be non-compliant if I only had a trampoline in my back yard, but if I permitted it to be used while children were in my care then I would be non-compliant. If you have an understanding of your state's rules, then next, speak again with your provider. If she is indeed doing something that goes against the state rules, then you should bring it up to her. Try to be as non-accusatory as possible, but bring up your concern for the safety of the children. Don't threaten reporting as that will make her defensive and will probably not solve anything. From both a parent-view and a child care provider-view, the issue with your 3 year old is another matter. No, he does not understand why he can't use the trampoline if other children are using it. However, this is going to be how it will be many more times before he is grown. Your rules are not always going to match the rules of all the places he will go. Don't let a frustration with your son's attitude cloud your judgement. In the end, you must decide if your 3 year old's attitude is just a temporary reaction to his frustration at not being able to do what he wants, is your child care provider being non-compliant to the licensing rules, and is this one issue big enough to risk losing the trust of your provider if you report her?

Answer 2

I am a licensed day care, I wouldn`t even bring the thought in my mind about installing a trampoline in my yard. I would feel terrible if my children or someone elses children fell and suffered an injury from jumping on a trampoline. Let`s face, trampolines are unsafe. My neighbor has one, she bought it last year and her daughter fell off it and broke her arm and a rib, she fell on the grass. Why would a parent waste their money on something that they know is risky to have when small children are around? I know there are a lot of risks out there for children, bike riding, playing on playground equipment, but why would you want your five year old bouncing ten feet in the air and then possibly falling and hitting the ground?
My insurance company has a policy about homeowners that have trampolines, they raise the monthly rate because there is a higher risk for injury when homeowners own trampolines. I don`t know, it seem terrible that your daycare provider isolates your kids in front of the others because she can`t follow the rules or because she thinks the other kids are entitled to have fun.

Answer 3

I run a certified in home day care in Kentucky. I would double check to see what type of certification she has. Because if she has license or certified than she is required to have visits every year by the state. As a certified home I know that you are not allowed to have a trampoline in your yard. I have ran a licenses center for 3 years and we were not allowed to have a trampoline. So maybe she is not license or certified so that there are no inspections. If she is not license or certified than there is nothing that can be done. I would check her status before I pushed the issue.

Answer 4

I'm with you, I would not let my chidren jump, and it is very unfair to them. To me, she is using very poor judgement. Even loving, smart, and experienced people can show judgement that is poor, and it's a shame, but you HAVE to stand up for your kids safety.

For the short term, until you decide, you could explain to her the problem, that you know trampolines are probably safe but just not in your comfort zone, and can you two work together so that it isn't an issue for your child. She may be able to work out a comprimse with you so that your 3 yo doesn't feel as shafted and doesn't beome surley. I'd then really evaluate whether to keep her as your day care provider, but you will have some time to look.

I also found the "I don't personally care but someone might" tactic very useful. Just tell her that you really value her as a day care provider, and you wouldn't want her to lose her license over the trampoline if someone reported her. If a child were to be hurt then she would be in serious trouble. Even a minor injury that would require a Dr.'s attention might raise questions that would come back to her. That might be enough to scare her.

And If it isn't, then I quetion her judgement and would probably pull my kids from her. She is risking a lot of liability. To me, it shows poor judgement to allow her day care kids to jump. (If she wants one for her kids to jump on AFTER daycare hours, that would be different, I'd leave that alone).

I wouldn't report her, unless she allows your kids to jump, as that would serve no purpose. You would still be out a day care provider.

And I wouldn't theaten to report her either as she is responsible for your children every day. Do you want her mad at you? And to my way of thinking, if the situation warrents being reported, do you want you kids there anyway. She may even say "if you don't like it, take your kids out." Then where are you? Again, back to no daycare, but on short notice. And she won. Reporting her is only revenge, and do you "hate" her enough to deny her her income.

Remember, no matter how close the relationship, you are the customer.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Is she licensed? A lot of home day cares do not need to be licensed and she would not have to abide by their laws.

Does the trampoline have netting around it to prevent the children from bouncing out?

I would first find out if she is licensed. If she is then mention it to her - but realize that yes it could ruin your relationship. And if she doesn't do anything about it you can take your children out and go somewhere else or report her. But after you report her, do you really want your children there anyways?

Answer 6

well it depends, Is she there with the kids while they are in the trampoline? are there rules that the kids have to follow while using the trampoline? are they on it one at a time or do all of the kids get on it and start jumping and pushing eachouther? Trampolines are very fun and great exercise but there need to be rules and adult supevision. If you like your daycare provider as much as you say, and you trust her then no, I wouldnt report her. your hild is likeley to get hurt in a number of ways, falling down stairs, jumping on beds, running into a wall (and yes i have seen little kids do that). getting hit with a toy, I think if i were to take every possible harmful situations away from my children, they would be sitting in an empty room with nothing but stuffed animals. ohhh no i forgot, they could choke on the stuffing, sometimes you just have to let your kids play and hope for the best. give your daycare provider limits, ( Jonny can only jump on the trampoline with you right there and with no outher kids on it with him) if you put a big bubble around your children they will miss out on a lot of cool stuff.

Answer 7

I personally would rather have a loving, smart experienced child care provider that you know with a trampoline, versus an unknown child care provider who may or may not be loving, smart and experienced that you do not know without a trampoline. I would suggest reinforcing the fact that you do not want your children on it, and if the other parents are OK with it, that is not your business. Why report someone who is obviously good with children, and that you claim to love?!?

Answer 8

While I'm sure she means well even if she put up netting the children could still get hurt. It's been proven that more children end up with broken bones from more than 1 person jumping a time than from falling off.

I'm sure if you report her anonymously she'll know it's you, unless there are others that you know of who have complained to her about it. If you mention the law she may become defensive about it and take it as an insult. This is a touchy situation and if you do say anything I would be VERY careful how you go about it. Let her know that you think it's unfair to your child and would appreciate it if she could respect your wishes while your children are in her care.

Answer 9

ok. first off, we have a child in our family who got really really hurt on a big trampoline when he was 3. he suffered major head trauma actually. 3 is too young for that type of toy supervised or not. i think that you should be strong and tell her that it is against the rules for licensing. and if she argues, or shows blatant disregard for the law, then you will know that she isn't a good care provider for your children. her answer and attitude will be all you need to decide. if simply confronting her might sour your relationship, then i would suggest you look somewhere else. simply for the fact that you should be able to be as open and candid as you please. you are the childrens mother, she works for you! (you do NOT work for her)

Answer 10

wow~~do you really actually think your child care provider would take a risk intentionally of letting your child get hurt on there ? i do firmly believe that if by chance she would allow your daughter to jump she would be right there making sure all is well!!!yes by golly you need to thank your lucky stars you have a excellent child care home and a person whom REALLY DOES LOVE YOUR KIDS ~so many are in it today just for the money~she loves your children when you cannot be there she extends the extra hand to your children when there not feeling well and your not there yet~shes the one whom has devoted her life on her feet nearly 12 hours a day eyes going non stop to make sure all children are safe!you need to understand she knows she is caring for your most treasured possions~never ever ever ever would she put your children in a situation that woould harm them~i think you are making this more of a problem let your trust as you so say you have in her grow dont exclude your child from playing on it~ i would be happy shes willing to spend some of her hard earned money on an activity that the children will enjoy properly supervised~if you love her like you say you do then trust her and heaven forbid should an accidient ever happen doing anything i am sure you have signed a waiver for her to sign if medical treatment be needed~so i believe either you trust her dont its that simple if you dont then remove your children fron there and then they will have a good reason for being upset during the day ~they will be losing there other mother~i cant believe you would want to stoop so low as to actually turn this loving lady that has done awsome with your children thus far into a state worker~all it will do will hurt her moral and make her not want to even continue her daycare~(besideds the fact to take down the trampoline) i find you moms like this so unreal when you and your husbands fear what you are going to do to find a good chilcare home and need a loving person and a little situation such as this comes and rite away you want to turn her in~it angers me i had a wonderful lady whom provided child care for me and a similiar situation occured with reporting it and she ended up closing on her own she didnt have to although she had her bubble bursted and said that was enough ~what a sad sad sad loss to our entire small community she was a gem and one parent blew it all~i think you need to totally trust her and grow up or yank your kids out anf good luck with fining another one you claim u love so much and one so close and now deal with all the problems of readujusting them to new home or center and a all new enviroment of friends see whats out there ~the old saying is look hard enough for trouble and you will find it ~i believe your searching now!!!!what a shame a lovely lady soon to be downed you stay home for one day and walk in her shoes then you will appericiate what she does for you and your family~~~~~~~~~