Fantasy Land

As a parent, I am very disappointed with the way this daycare handled my request to add my parents, who live just minutes away, to the emergency pick-up list for my children. They refused, saying they required a court order, even though no such restriction exists in my court documents. What concerns me most is that DCFS requires all licensed daycares in Illinois to maintain at least three emergency contacts/authorized pick-ups for each child to ensure safety in case of an emergency. This daycare currently does not meet that requirement. At the same time, they allowed an out-of-state relative (who could not possibly pick up the children in an emergency) to remain on the list, while refusing to add local grandparents who are able and willing to help. This raises serious questions about whether this daycare is following DCFS regulations designed to protect children. Parents trust providers to prioritize children’s safety above all else, and that means having reliable, local emergency contacts available. I will be filing complaints with DCFS, IDHS, and the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division to ensure this issue is addressed and that other parents are made aware. This is not only about my family, every parent deserves confidence that their child’s provider follows licensing rules and is prepared for emergencies. I strongly encourage parents to ask direct questions about emergency contact procedures before enrolling their children here.