LAWS - VISITING PRIVATE HOMES
Unlike inspections of public places, you are entering private homes. You need to be careful that you stay professional and do not overstep your boundaries.
ALWAYS CARRY IDENTIFICATION.
You should always carry identification that shows you are an employee of Bethel Child Care or Provider Resources. The identification can be a badge or a card.
What should be on the badge or care?
Your picture
Your full name
the organization you represent
Bethel or Providers address and phone number (so your employment can be verified)
Because you are entering private homes, you should never feel offended when you are asked to prove your identity.
Once you enter a home, adhere carefully to your professional visit. Go only where you are supposed to go within the home. You need to know exactly which rooms in each provider’s home are licensed for childcare. Going into other areas of the home without permission could have negative consequences for you.
Protect yourself and your organization from legal expenses by creating good documentation. Occasionally a Provider may tell you to come into the childcare with out knocking or ringing a doorbell. It is important to have documentation of the provider’s request and permission to enter home unannounced.
Example: Provider uses basement area for childcare. She finds it difficult to bring all the children upstairs to answer the door. She tells you to just come in. The documentation should include the date, specific information, such as under what circumstances you may enter the home without knocking, and signatures of all parties.
Your administration or legal counsel should review the documentation to assure it covers all and any situations that may apply.
To protect yourself, you should not allow yourself to be placed in a situation where you are alone with the children.
For example, she might need to leave the room to take a child to the bathroom. Do not agree to watch the children while the provider leaves the room.
You should make sure you are not left alone in a situation which could allow a provider to claim that you stole something.
For example: If the provider allows you to sit at a table to review paperwork in a room where she and the child are not present, and you see her purse on the table, ask her to take the purse with her.
If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable with any arrangements or situations a provider is putting you in, always discuss it with your supervisor or administration.