When childcare providers are accused of wrongdoing, the repercussions can be severe — even before investigators complete their inquiry and make a determination.

A daycare facility in Spanaway, Washington, learned this the hard way when its license was suspended after a parent accused providers of child abuse. The allegations came after the daycare's owner saw that the child had injuries and asked the parent to pick them up. Doctors believed the child had been sexually assaulted; as a result, the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) removed the child from the home and suspended the daycare's license.

The facility remained shuttered for more than three months while the Pierce County Sheriff's Department and DCYF investigators reviewed the complaint. The comprehensive investigative process, while important, had a significant commercial effect on the daycare business. In the end, the facility was cleared of all suspicion of wrongdoing.

Any daycare operator or other caregiver professional who faces any kind of allegation can quickly find themselves out of work. The Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help. We'll mount an aggressive defense of your rights and fight for a speedy resolution so you can resume operations.

Call us today at 888-535-3686 to discuss your case, or send us a message online. We're eager to help you protect your livelihood.

The Impact of a Suspended License

Following months of inquiry, the DCYF and the Pierce County Sheriff's Department dismissed the allegations against Kids Space Learning and Daycare. Even a temporary license suspension like this one can do lasting harm to a business:

• Reputational damage: An abuse claim, whether founded or not, can damage a professional caregiver's reputation. The longer the suspension lasts, the more the negative reputation sinks in.
• Public perception: According to DCYF assistant director Tiffani Wilson, license suspensions are usually an automatic part of the investigative process, not an indication of adverse findings. This fact is not always obvious to the public.

When the public loses trust in a daycare professional or other care provider, they stop patronizing their business. The loss of revenue can ultimately prove fatal to a small business operating on thin margins.

Lessons for Providers

This story demonstrates that providers of daycare facilities need to create a checklist with the following considerations in mind:

• Document your activities: Establish a method for recording daily activities, occurrences, and communication with clients and customers.
• Security: Install cameras to support your level of protection.
• Plan ahead: Have a plan in place to act quickly if a client or customer files a complaint against you.
• Communication protocols: Don't let your customers and clients worry — and, quite possibly, succumb to rumor and innuendo. In case of an adverse event, communicate with them as frequently and openly as your legal counsel recommends.

Balancing your clients' needs with how you operate your business is essential.

The Best Defense is Also the Best Offense

The time it takes to investigate allegations against you can end up hurting your overall standing in the community. That's why you need to rely on the Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm.

If your license is in jeopardy, give us a call so we can help: 888-535-3686. You can also send us a message online. We're here to help you protect your professional license.