Documenting Injuries

[Second Home]

I have never had a reason to document injuries that occur outside of daycare .
How do you all handle this , do you just write down what you see with the date and explination the dck gave you , do you take pics?

I have a child who told me weeks ago about a burn that happened at dcd house , there was a small burn like area . She complained for a few days about it hurting . Now dck comes with a huge bruise on the cheek and black eye . First she said it happened at dcd house , and gave details on what happened . Now she does not know where it happened or how .
I really want to take a picture for my file but do not know if that is going too far. Especially since I know she will say something about the picture.

[Blackcat31]

How old is the child? Who brings the child for drop off? What did they say happened to the child?

As far as documentation, if I notice something as big as a black eye/cheek I would ask the person dropping off about what happened.

Then I would have them write a sentence out stating child had xxx injuries upon drop off this morning. Have them sign and date.

I don't expect parents to go into detail in writing about what happened (they can tell me verbally) but I do require them to acknowledge injuries that big BEFORE I accept them into care.

If I notice after drop off (if injury is hidden from immediate view under shirt, pants etc) then I will immediately text the parent from care and use their reply as documentation of the injury.

If they don't reply to my inquiry, I will ask at pick up for them to sign off that the injury happened elsewhere.

[Wubby]

How about saying it is a group photo and zooming in on her or use your cell phone while they are playing.

[KiddieCahoots]

How old is the child? Who brings the child for drop off? What did they say happened to the child?

As far as documentation, if I notice something as big as a black eye/cheek I would ask the person dropping off about what happened.

Then I would have them write a sentence out stating child had xxx injuries upon drop off this morning. Have them sign and date.

I don't expect parents to go into detail in writing about what happened (they can tell me verbally) but I do require them to acknowledge injuries that big BEFORE I accept them into care.

If I notice after drop off (if injury is hidden from immediate view under shirt, pants etc) then I will immediately text the parent from care and use their reply as documentation of the injury.

If they don't reply to my inquiry, I will ask at pick up for them to sign off that the injury happened elsewhere.

Exactly!
Had to do this! The State became involved. The signed affidavit from dcd at drop-off and pictures that I took, helped clear me from any speculation.

[Second Home]

How old is the child? 4
Who brings the child for drop off? sometimes dcm , or grandma , grandpa.
What did they say happened to the child?No one even mentioned it at all.

I noticed a shadow of a bruise on dcg cheek on Friday but it was faint . She comes in today sits down to take off shoes then goes into the playroom . mom never comes in just knocks says goodbye then leaves - very quick.

When I came into the playroom and she looked up I noticed the dark yellow bruise and black eye .

I did document on Fri and again today what I saw . I will most likely type something up myself because if I ask her to write something I don't think I will ever get it .

What wording would be best for this note ?

[Blackcat31]

I noticed a shadow of a bruise on dcg cheek on Friday but it was faint . She comes in today sits down to take off shoes then goes into the playroom . mom never comes in just knocks says goodbye then leaves - very quick.

When I came into the playroom and she looked up I noticed the dark yellow bruise and black eye .

I did document on Fri and again today what I saw . I will most likely type something up myself because if I ask her to write something I don't think I will ever get it .

What wording would be best for this note ?

Exactly what you just said...

Friday April, 11, 2014

DCG had slight bruising on her left/right cheek. Faint but visible.

Monday April 14, 2014

DCG's bruised cheek now appears yellowish and a black eye is also now visible.

This injury did NOT occur at ABC Child Care

___________________________
Parent Signature/Date

Have DCM sign and date it and file it away in child's file.

You don't have to worry too much about wording and how it sounds because basically you are simply documenting for your records. No one is going to edit or critique it.

[gracepatiencelove]

I have a notebook. I just record anything matter of factory that is out of the ordinary. I also do a follow up. Parents sign it. Although sometimes they get irritated.

I make parents sign a permission to photo form that specifically says I will photograph injuries. Save it to a computer folder w child's name and date pic was taken.

If they asked I would say, "I'm sorry, my licensor recently told me I needed to do it this way due to another case in the county." It might not be entirely ethical
But I blame regulation a lot.

[choirlady76]

I have never had a reason to document injuries that occur outside of daycare .
How do you all handle this , do you just write down what you see with the date and explination the dck gave you , do you take pics?

I have a child who told me weeks ago about a burn that happened at dcd house , there was a small burn like area . She complained for a few days about it hurting . Now dck comes with a huge bruise on the cheek and black eye . First she said it happened at dcd house , and gave details on what happened . Now she does not know where it happened or how .
I really want to take a picture for my file but do not know if that is going too far. Especially since I know she will say something about the picture.

At my school, we write up an observation report. This is for anytime a kid comes to school with any type of mark, we date it, give a description and the teacher, witness and director sign it. This is then placed in the child's file and unlike an injury/illness report, it is not given to the parent. This covers us and notifies other staff (after care teachers) that the mark did not occur at school.

If at any time you suspect abuse, you are required by law to report it. You can do this anonymously. Hope this helps!

[sarah33]

Our primary job is to protect the children!!! Take pics and then contact the police and your licensing specialist.

[Second Home]

Typed up a letter and she signed it no problem saying she fell and hit her cheek on a chair ( same as what dck first told me). I can see where that may have happened because the bruise is in a straight line up her cheek to her eye .

I have a message into my lic specialist to see what she feels needs to be done.
I don't think that there is any abuse at this point but I just want to cover my bases and make sure they can not claim it was my fault .

[KiddieCahoots]

Sounds like you covered yourself!
Hate to put it that way, but in this line of work, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Besides like sarah33 mentioned, we're here to protect the children as mandated reporters.
I also like to add a photo to my observation reports....a picture is worth a thousand words!
At the time of enrollment, I have every new parent fill out a permission slip for me to take child care related photos, along with the registration forms. Covered!