If you had an at-home day care and a child's parent was severely intoxicated when picking up his child, would you release the child to him?

I did run a home day care, and they are still monitored by the state, and you are under the exact same obligations as a child care center for releasing kids. You cannot legally release a child to an intoxicated parent, period. If the parent tried to drive off, I wouldn't stop them, but I would call the cops and report their license plate number.

If they didn't come and pick their child up within 24 hours, I'd report the parent to the state. I had this happen once, where someone figured since the child care was in my home, they'd just go out and get wasted and leave their kid with me. I charged them an arm and a leg for the after-hours care - $8 per hour, overnight -- and they didn't pay.

Sadly, they pulled their kid from my care because they didn't want to pay me. But there is no way, absolutely zero way, I would let anyone who had been drinking to the point I could tell they had drive away with a precious child in the care.

Absolutely not I would immediately call either the emergency contact or the police. Even if the parent walked are they still able to make proper calls whilst walking with the child? Would they be too drunk and let their child possibly wander into the street?

My answer is No.

I was a home Daycare provider in Australia for 12 years and actually had this situation occur. I sought advice from the police, and was told that I was not permitted to refuse to release the child into the parents care, but what I could do was phone the police when the parent arrived and they would arrest them at the end of my driveway for DUI. Its a fine line, and one that you have to take a firm stand on.As Daycare Providers, we have a duty of care to the safety and protection of the children in our care.

I would suggest to the parent, that you would drive them home, or ask if someone else could perhaps pick the child up. You can be firm without having to be confrontational, unless the parent is of an aggressive nature you usually find that they will cede to your suggestions. I would write it into your policies, that you will not release the child into any persons care if they are intoxicated/affected by drugs and that the parent agrees you can refuse to release the child until an alternative can be arranged.

I would make this one of the policies that I made parents sign individually and not as a single signature at the end of the policy booklet.

That would depend on circumstance. How are they getting home? Driving: Report for drunk driving, don't let kid go.

Walking: see how far away is home. Is anyone else at home? No: Entertain parent and offer coffee until more sober.

Yes: see how far away is home. How far away is home? Visible: I have had an in home day care and often neighbors are clients.

If there was someone else at the child's home, and they were walking right next door, I'd let the kid go. Not Visible: If they lived further away I would confirm someone was at home and then drive them both home or walk with them to ensure the safety of the child. How frequently has this happened?

More than three times this year: I would likely ask the child about his/her care, combine that with my observation of the child's over all health and make a decision to either talk to the parent or talk to an agency that can help. Infrequent, maybe once or twice ever: Write it off, follow what I've written here. I don't look down at people who drink.

I would appreciate that they showed up to get their child. Who doesn't get a little intoxicated every now and then? As stated I would do my best not to get authorities involved or complicate things.

Nope... not in a second. First I would try and contact any of the other care providers for that child which may be registered with me, mom/dad/grandparents. If they were unavailable the next call would be to social services.

DEFINETLY NOT! If the kids dad or mom is severely intoxicated, then he/she most likely cant drive on a highway or road! If you release the child to him/her, the poor kid might end up dead in a car accident.

As a daycare provider, you are also a mandated reporter. As a mandated reporter, you need to always be aware of any suspected abuse, neglect or endangerment. You can not by law (check your state) release a child into the custody of a parent who is going to drive intoxicated.

This is child endangerment. If you knowingly let the child go with his or her drunk parent and an accident occurs you could also face charges/fines. The best thing to do is call the emergency contact person on the child's intake form.In the event that person isn't available, go down the list of contacts.

There should always be more than one. If no one is available, keep the parent at the facility until a ride can be arranged.It's always best to err on the side of caution.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.