Make Sure Your Child Care Provider Is Licensed

Make Sure Your Child Care Provider is Licensed

Something horrible happened recently here in New York City, and I wasn’t sure at first how to address it, or even if I should, because it was so horrifying to me. At first, I thought it would be easier to just try to put it out of my mind, but then I realized the only way I might be able to help prevent such a tragedy from happening again was to share the story with you and spread the word about the things you must look for in a child care provider—yes, even if that person is your own mother or your best friend.

On Tuesday, July 14th, a new mom was going back to work for the first time after her maternity leave, and left her three-month-old baby, Karl Towndrow, at a day care center that had been recommended to her and her husband by friends. Around lunchtime, little Karl was reportedly “fussy” after having a bottle of breast milk, and was put down for a nap. Roughly half an hour later, he was found with blue lips, completely unresponsive. It’s been reported that at that point, the owner of the day care center attempted to administer CPR on the infant, but like all the other workers on hand, she was allegedly untrained in the procedure and unable to save his life.

I can’t claim to know what happened to baby Karl, nor can I claim to comprehend the immense pain and horror his parents and loved ones are now experiencing—but I can beg you, as loving parents, to ensure that the caregiver of your children is qualified to assist in the event of a medical emergency. My first line of advice to parents considering day care options is to double and triple check that the person or people they are leaving their little one with are licensed to provide day care by the state. Yes, licensed day cares might cost more, and I know that money can be tight for even the average American family these days, but that license will give you the peace of mind of knowing that the people looking after your little one are properly trained in CPR and other important skills vital to keeping your child happy and safe.

And if Grandma or a neighbor friend is filling the role of your child’s caregiver? Insist that they attend age-appropriate CPR classes—not just once, but at least every two years to make sure those life-saving skills are fresh in their minds just in case something horrible were to happen. Your local hospital might offer classes, and the Red Cross definitely does. Yes, it takes time, and your family members or close friends might think you’re being overly nit-picky, but it truly could save your child’s life.

MomPrep by The Pump Station Classes include

CPR and Happiest Baby on the Block