Should parents make unannounced visits to see their children in childcare?

Transcripts

Host: Should parents make unannounced visits to see their children in childcare?

Dr. Diana Zuckerman: It's very important for parents to make unannounced visits when their children are in childcare. You want to make sure that you know what's going on not just when you bring your child in the morning, not just when you pick your child up at the end of the day, but during an -- at an unannounced visit, that's when you are going to find out what's really going on. Are there really as many adults there as you thought? Are there really as many children there as you thought? We have heard of examples where parents thought there were only six children being taken care of, but there were really 15 for example, but they don't know because they only see them at the beginning or at the end of the day. So, those unannounced visits are very important and parents should not be embarrassed about it. They can certainly make up some excuses to why they are there like, "Oh, I was in the neighborhood so I thought I would stop by.

" But these are your children. Don't feel guilty or embarrassed about wanting to make sure that they are okay.