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Daycare regulations are a vital and necessary element of the day care industry. Many of us already feel swamped by our daily tasks, limitless red tape and view the rules as a threat and an inconvenience. Sinking in a sea of bureaucracy we tend to forget that this legislation serves a good end. Although our world in general appears to becoming more bureaucracy happy much of this legislation exists for a reason. It has been formulated specifically to protect those who are most at risk in our society.

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. 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. I use the term 'suggested improvement' deliberately because in most cases, the comments are not about a major issue, nor a violation of the daycare regulations but are merely suggestions on how we might do something better or more effectively. I take these comments on board because they are emanating from highly trained, seasoned experts who see it all on a daily basis - the daycare regulations experts.