VIDEO: Choosing A Quality Daycare For Your Child May Have Gotten A Little Easier

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Choosing a caregiver for your child is a big decision for most parents.

Their child is their most precious gift and when it comes to choosing a daycare for them, safety and quality care are a top priorities.

“I have to be able to trust the teachers that are in there to be able to provide, not only provide security for my kids in emotional and education, but just safety in general,” said Jennifer Odom who has two kids in daycare.

Odom said she understands how tough it can be to find a good daycare.

“You’re very hesitant because you are also feeling out the people that are here,” she said. “You’re seeing if they are the individuals that you are going to trust your children with.”

However,  that search process has now gotten a little easier.

The Mississippi State Department of Health lists information on every daycare in the state.

Parents will know how many licensed workers the daycare has, if there are any violations, and background checks, just to name a few.

“To be transparent, that’s how daycare’s need to operate,” said Sara Parman, who has a child in day care. “I need my daycare teachers to be as transparent with me, as well as me as a parent being able to have that information and know that somebody is not just talking to me and giving me a good bill of sale, it’s actually passing health inspections, and safety standards.”

This is the first time for parents to have access to this kind of information.

They believe this website helps keep everyone accountable.

“If the center can’t follow the rules and regulations that the state puts down then you are not doing your part to keep the kids safe, and I think every parent just wants their kids to be safe and loved,” said Penny Mansell, director of the Child and Parent Development Center at the Mississippi University for Women.

“Before, it was by only word of mouth or they could just find out if there had been a violation, but now it tells everything,” said Dana Tait, director of the Mighty Oaks Child Development Center. “It just has the whole licensing visit.”

Tait said this database also serves as a tool for owners, because it helps them ensure they’re running a clean operation.

“I think it makes me even more conscious because you know that’s going to be viewed and you always want to be honest and open,” Tait expressed. “Licensing is great to work with us, so I think this is just all around a good thing.”

The state requires all owners and directors to obtain a license before they can operate a daycare facility.

for a complete look at the child care search database, visit https://www.msdh.provider.webapps.ms.gov/ccsearch.aspx for information.