Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Joni J. Franklin, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued an emergency order closing Kathies Kidz Day Care Home, a Paola, Kansas day care center. According to the KDHE, two infants have died just this year. After the death of the second infant, which occurred in August, the operator of the day care agreed to surrender the facility’s certificate. At the time of the surrender, Kathies Kidz were caring for 16 children – that is 10 more children than the center was permitted to care for. KDHE inspectors checked on the facility this month and found the facility still in operation and caring for 6 children. To read more on this topic please see Kansas Department of Health and Environment revokes a day care center’s certificate after second infant dies in day care.
This day care center intentionally disobeyed an order issued by its state’s Department of Health and Environment. Day care providers have a duty to meet all licensing and certification requirements in order to operate legally. The purpose behind the requirement for licensure / certification is to ensure a safe child-to-worker ratio, as well as to conduct a proper background check of all day care workers and employees. Day care facilities that intentionally ignore these requirements should not be a facility parents should entrust to properly care for their children.