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Daycare regulations like it or not, are necessary. Many view them as an inconvenience, designed to make our lives more difficult and a constant reminder of the increasing red tape in our day care businesses. Although our world in general appears to becoming more bureaucracy happy much of this legislation exists for a reason. More importantly, much of it is there to help protect those who are most vulnerable in our society.

Daycare regulations, however, really only ensure that the minimum standards of care are being met. Quality, early childcare that is constantly improving and evolving can mean so much more than the rulebook. 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. I make it a golden rule that, following my inspections, the report becomes my constant companion until I have addressed every point raised. 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.