Published: June 30, 2007 11:44 pm         

Local resources are available to help parents find quality care

It likely happened too quickly in Tulsa County for even the most proactive parent to catch the abuse complaints lodged against a daycare worker now charged with murdering a toddler in her care.

But it shouldn’t deter other parents from exercising their rights to access information about their own childcare center or childcare home.

A Tulsa daycare worker was charged last month with murder and child abuse after a toddler who had been in her care died. Vicki Leigh Chiles, 42, allegedly bound 2-year-old Joshua Minton’s hands and covered his mouth with masking tape because he would not be quiet for nap time. He later died.

While abuse complaints likely weren’t substantiated in time to be included in a public file on the Tulsa daycare, local licensing workers and referral specialists say parents should know about their right to access childcare licensing records.



Childcare files are open



It’s a law that’s used too infrequently by the public, according to Brenda Brown, regional program manager for childcare licensing for Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

Oklahoma Open Records Act ensures — among other rights — a parent’s prerogative to access and to review records “so they may efficiently and intelligently exercise their inherent political power.”

The files kept on daycare centers and homes licensed in any particular county are available for review by anyone at county DHS offices. The files aren’t provided to inquiring parents by licensing workers “near as much as we should,” Brown said.

There simply isn’t enough requests.

Some information is purged from the files before public viewing, including identifying information on families and children involved in specific complaints. Brown said a licensing worker also accompanies the files for safety reasons and to answer any specific questions the public might have.



Finding quality care



Some officials who work with parents and childcare homes and centers are working to make sure parents know exactly what’s available for inspection.

“Because of the shortage of childcare slots, sometimes parents are just relieved to find space available,” said Dianne Juhnke, coordinator of Child Care Finders, a local program through Community Development Support Association.

Parents should take their time and find quality care, which includes not only a place open at appropriate times but one that provides a safe and nurturing environment.

“It’s not a decision a parent should make hastily,” Juhnke said.

While the division overseeing licensing for childcare centers and homes is reeling from the recent tragedy in Tulsa County, workers in Garfield County are busy monitoring existing centers and family homes and making sure proper guidelines are being followed.



Complaints coming in



Licensed centers and homes providing care for children are monitored at least every four months by licensing workers. Workers also investigate complaints made directly to their office. Serious non-compliance issues may include abuse, understaffing and lack of supervision, Brown said.

Brown said they investigate a number of different types of violations, including behavior and guidance. They also investigate a number of claims regarding inappropriate discipline.

A small sampling of files examined by the News & Eagle showed mostly unsubstantiated complaints of alleged rules violations by childcare workers.

A variety of complaints substantiated by licensing workers included:

• Some infants being left in sleeping positions other than their backs. DHS has adopted this policy based on the latest studies related to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

• Children being left too long in play pens.

• Some centers have been slow to provide background checks on new employees.

• Not providing appropriate “fall zones.” Rules for outdoor play equipment requires a fall zone area of six feet around all equipment.

• Spanking. Subjecting a child to punishment of a physical nature is restricted. Time outs are permitted for one minute for every year of age.

• Using harsh language.

Brown said many of the violations have to do with behavior and guidance.

“Very few ever go into an abusive situation,” Brown said.

Other times, centers and family homes have been in violation because parents or guardians were slow in providing information such as up-to-date shot records and emergency contact information. It is the center’s responsibility to make sure they have on record such information.



Correcting the issues



When complaints are substantiated, licensing workers provide the center with a notice of non-compliance. The licensing workers investigate the complaints and decide whether the complaint is substantiated or unsubstantiated. The child care workers are then sent a notice to comply and are required to answer with a plan to correct the problem.

“We take those very seriously,” Brown said about non-compliance requests. “It’s a series of checks and balances. The system, I think, works pretty well.”



What’s out there



Between family homes and childcare centers, there currently are about 1,800 slots available for children in Garfield County.

Brown said parents also should realize, the cleanest childcare home or center doesn’t always translate into the center or home providing the best care.

She said it’s the licensing workers responsibility to make sure guidelines are being followed and the center or home is providing a safe environment.

“That’s our job — looking under counters,” Brown said.

Forty-five years ago, there were no laws regarding requirements of daycare centers. There were no safeguards to protect children. There was nothing that gave the state any authority to control the events at day care centers and family homes.

In 1962, laws were passed that required daycare facilities and family homes to have standards set and be licensed or approved and by the state agency responsible for licensing facilities. The state agency in charge of child care licensing now is known as DHS.

“We’re driven by our clients,” Brown said. “This whole program is about prevention.”



Working to make it better



And because of recent events, state officials are working on making the system better and more accountable to parents looking for safe, quality childcare.

“Our licensing specialists work so hard trying to make sure our children are safe,” Brown said.

And Brown recommends parents and guardians use Oklahoma State Courts Network and online district court records to check the criminal backgrounds on anyone looking after their child.

Child Care Finders also recommends parents periodically review the licensing files because information changes and is periodically updated after required monitoring visits by licensing workers.

To view a file, contact the DHS childcare licensing office at 548-2052. Workers also can fax a computerized summary of file activity.