Burlington, Vermont – May 11, 2011
In this Child Care Choices-- inspecting for problems at Vermont day care centers. When parents drop off their kids, how can they make sure the day care they pick is a safe place?
The state is in charge of licensing and oversight. There are seven inspectors statewide. Each year they conduct 1,200 visits and find about 890 violations. Last year, 10 programs were closed down because of the violations found.
Jeanette Fisher is a Licensing Field Specialist with the state who conducts inspections. She appeared on The :30 to discuss the issue.
Fisher said parents should not be afraid to make a "surprise visit" and their day care center should be open to unplanned visits.
"It is normally an open-door policy," she said, "regulations require that it should be."
For more, watch the video on The :30. In the second video, Fisher answers questions that our viewers posted on our Facebook page.
The state has a website where parents can search for providers and also check to see if there are any violations. Click here for that website.
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