Facility Safety Standards for Texas Daycares: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Your Child’s Safety Should Never Be an Afterthought

When you drop your child off at daycare, you trust the facility to create a space that’s clean, safe, and closely monitored. It’s not enough to simply have good intentions — the daycare must actively maintain its property to meet state-required safety standards every single day.

When facilities are poorly maintained, children are at risk of serious injuries — many of which could have been completely prevented. If your child was hurt because of unsafe daycare conditions, Genthe Law Firm is ready to stand by your side and fight for justice.

What Are Texas Daycare Facility Safety Standards?

In Texas, licensed daycares must follow detailed safety standards set by the Department of Health and Human Services. These rules protect children from hazards inside and outside the facility.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s required:

Area of Safety	Key Requirements
Building Safety	Secure doors and windows; safe entryways and exits; maintained floors and walls.
Playground Safety	Age-appropriate, well-maintained equipment; cushioned surfaces; no sharp or broken parts.
Fire Safety	Working smoke detectors, accessible fire extinguishers, and clear emergency exits.
Food and Kitchen Safety	Proper food storage and handling; allergy management plans in place.
Toys and Furniture	No broken, recalled, or dangerous items; heavy furniture must be anchored.
Hazardous Materials	Chemicals, medicines, and tools must be locked away and inaccessible.
Supervision and Visibility	Staff must be able to see and supervise children at all times.
Outdoor Security	Secure fencing around play areas; gates that latch properly; no access to unsafe streets or parking lots.

These standards are not “suggestions” — they are legal obligations. A failure to meet them can have devastating consequences.

Common Safety Violations That Put Kids at Risk

Sadly, unsafe daycare conditions are far too common.
Some of the most frequent hazards we see include:

• Broken playground equipment with sharp edges or missing pieces
• Wobbly, unsecured furniture that can tip onto children
• Uncovered electrical outlets or exposed wiring
• Unlocked gates and doors, allowing children to wander off
• Dirty or unsanitary bathrooms and kitchens, increasing infection risks
• Play areas without soft fall surfaces, leading to serious injuries

In fact, a recent Texas Department of Health and Human Services child safety report found that 40% of daycare injuries were tied to unmaintained premises — including dangerous playgrounds, indoor hazards, and unsafe tools.

What Daycares Must Do to Keep Children Safe

To comply with Texas laws and keep kids safe, daycare directors and staff should:

• Inspect the facility daily for any hazards.
• Repair or replace broken equipment immediately.
• Anchor heavy furniture securely to walls.
• Cover all electrical outlets and secure cords.
• Clean and sanitize surfaces regularly to prevent illness.
• Lock away hazardous materials completely out of children’s reach.
• Train staff to recognize and report dangers quickly.

Maintaining a safe facility isn’t just about appearances — it’s about preventing tragedies.

Real Risks for Children When Facilities Are Unsafe

When daycares ignore safety standards, children can suffer:

• Broken bones
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Burns
• Cuts and lacerations
• Sprains
• Choking incidents
• Hypothermia or heatstroke
• Fatal accidents

Young children are especially vulnerable because they explore without fully understanding danger.
It is the daycare’s job to anticipate risks and prevent them — not make excuses after a child gets hurt.

What Families Can Recover If Their Child Was Hurt

If your child was injured because of unsafe conditions, you may be eligible to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses (current and future care)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Therapy and rehabilitation costs
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In tragic cases involving fatal injuries, families may also be able to seek compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical expenses prior to passing
• Emotional damages, including loss of companionship

No amount of money can undo what happened — but holding negligent daycare facilities accountable can help your family move forward and protect other children from facing the same dangers.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hurt Because of Unsafe Daycare Conditions

If you believe a poorly maintained daycare caused your child’s injury, here’s what to do:

1. Seek immediate medical attention for your child.
2. Take photographs of the unsafe condition, if possible.
3. Request a written incident report from the daycare.
4. File a report with Texas Child Care Licensing to trigger a formal inspection.
5. Contact Genthe Law Firm as soon as you can.

We know this is a difficult and emotional time.
Let us help you take the next steps — with care, respect, and strength.

Why Choose Genthe Law Firm?

At Genthe Law Firm, we believe every child deserves a safe place to learn, grow, and play.
When daycares break that trust, they must be held accountable.

• We offer free consultations so you can get answers without pressure.
• You pay nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee — we only get paid if we win for you.
• We listen. We guide. We fight for families.

Attorney Aaron Genthe and his team are ready to stand by you and your child every step of the way.

Contact Genthe Law Firm Today

If unsafe daycare conditions harmed your child, don’t wait. The sooner you reach out, the sooner our Dallas daycare injury attorneys can start protecting your family’s rights and gathering critical evidence.

📞 Call 214-957-0898
📅 Schedule a free consultation at https://genthelaw.com/contact-us/

You are not alone — and we are ready to help.