Daycare regulations, however, really only ensure that the minimum standards of care are being met. There is much above and beyond the stated rules that can be done to improve the quality of care and early education children are receiving. I like to think of the regulations and my inspection reports as guidelines, tools for updating the service I provide.

I don’t view them as a criticism of what I do but as a priceless workbook that inspires and aids me to further improve upon what I am doing. Consider what many companies pay consultants to update their systems, procedures, quality control and effectiveness. We get it all through our daycare regulations and inspections.

I keep a copy of the regulations for my region posted on the notice board in the entryway to my day care, one on my desk and one in the staff room. Following my inspections the report becomes my bible, my ultimate focus until such time as I have addressed every issue raised therein regardless of how minor. Then, I post the report (you guessed it), in the entryway, on my desk and in the staff room with an ‘Actioned’ sticker beside each suggested improvement.

In my experience, the ‘points’ raised in the report tend to be helpful tips towards operating more effectively and safely on day to day issues rather than pointing out major violations. I take these tips seriously and rush to implement them because they are coming from a veritable font of daycare regulations knowledge – your inspections team have been there, done that and wear the tee shirt daily.

Find out about childcare from Fiona Lohrenz who has run her own day care for the past 10 years. She incorporates all that knowledge into her website and her 'Start a Day Care Business' DVD guide: How To Start A Daycare Find her at her Day Care focused website.