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A MESSAGE TO PARENTS <br /> ON <br /> DAY CARE CENTERS <br /> The Everett City Council urges you to take care in selecting day care centers for <br /> your children. <br /> You should make sure that you leave your child only with a day care center which <br /> is licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services of the State of <br /> Washington. Licensed child care centers follow numerous provisions established for <br /> the protection and well-being of your child. Local officials of the Department of <br /> Social and Health Services have assured the City of Everett that the Snohomish <br /> County Division of Children and Family Services has sufficient staff and resources <br /> to enforce this important law. <br /> The law covers any persons taking a child into their own home to care for the child. <br /> In enforcing the law, the DSHS makes a full background investigation of license <br /> applicants, their staff, and members of their households, including searching for <br /> any possible criminal histories. Licensees must be of good character and have a <br /> good understanding of the physical, mental, emotional and social needs of children. <br /> Licensees are required to protect your child from abuse, neglect or exploitation. <br /> Also, the law includes provisions to assure that your child's health and safety is <br /> protected in various ways, including medical emergencies. Also, day care centers <br /> which care for larger groups of children must provide educational and training <br /> programs for your child, plus playground and educational equipment. <br /> Despite possible delays and technical requirements which may cause license <br /> applicants to complain about the process, recent tragedies elsewhere in the United <br /> States have indicated that the child care licensing program is amply justified. We <br /> advise that you be patient and require that anyone with whom you leave your child <br /> be licensed. Child care center regulations have been enacted to protect your child. <br /> You should take advantage of this protection. <br /> When searching for a day care center for your child, use the attached checklist <br /> which provides common sense general advice to you as a parent in evaluating any <br /> place where you are considering leaving your child. <br /> A Message From the Everett City Council <br />