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ALBANY - In August, nine-month-old Jason Giglio choked to death on a grape while in the care of a babysitter.
"These are the things you read about and they always happen elsewhere," said
The family wondered if the woman could have done more to save the infant. Scotia Police opened a criminal investigation but found no wrong-doing. Still, the baby's family desperately wished they'd done a criminal background check.
"It's very, very difficult to leave your child in the care of someone else," said Patty Skinner of the Capital District Child Care Council. The organization helps parents through the nerve-wracking process of finding safe child care.
She said for $75, you can access the criminal history, driving and education records and credit reports of any potential sitter who'll be watching your child for 15 or more hours a week. And the sitter must give consent.
REPORTER: "...and if they don't give it, that's a pretty big red flag.
SKINNER: "It is a red flag, yeah. You'd want to find out why they wouldn't give consent for that to be done."
New York State has already done the background checks on employees at licensed daycares like the Children's Place in Albany.
"Finger printing, and every staff member's name and family household member are run through the child abuse maltreatment registry," said Executive Director Kimlee Marquise.
She said it's still imperative for moms and dads to come in with lots of questions, and it's smart to write them down.
"Things about the educational background of teachers in the classroom, staff turnover, any types of safety issues," Marquise added.
Valerie Flanders has been bringing two-and-a-half year old Anna to Children's Place for about a year.
But long before that, Valerie and the baby dropped in again and again...and again.
"My biggest thing was, was this place clean, did it feel safe and fun to me?" said Flanders.
"And show up unannounced. Don't let them know you're coming, because it's always easy to put on a good face. But you really wanna see what that day really looks like -the good and the tough parts," said Marquise.
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services website is also helpful. Type in the name of the child care provider. It will tell you if there have been any violations...from leaky pipes to abuse.
"We're never going to be as good as parents. I'm probably talking myself out of a job! But that's the reality of it. But folks have to work. So we try to make them feel really comfortable,"
The other reality is tragedies can happen. At daycare and at home. There's only one thing parents can do.
"Take as many precautions as they possibly can. That's all people can humanely do," said Skinner.
For more information about safe child care, you can contact Patricia Skinner at the Capital District Child Care Council. Her number is 426-7181 Ext 327.
You can also check out links on this website, under "News Links."
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