🌟 Truth in Daycare: Why Insurance Disclosure Protects Families

Jackie Boatwright-Daus
Oct 4, 2025
2 min read

When you choose a daycare, you’re trusting strangers with the most important person in your life. That decision should come with clear, honest information—especially about liability insurance. That’s the heart of Truth in Daycare: telling parents, up front, whether a provider is insured.

What “Disclosure” Actually Means

Disclosure is simple: the daycare clearly states whether it carries liability insurance—in writing at enrollment and posted where parents can see it .It doesn’t force a business to buy insurance. It forces honesty, so families can choose wisely.

Why Disclosure Matters (Even More Than You Think)

1) Informed consent for parents

You can’t make a real choice if key facts are hidden. If a center doesn’t carry insurance, you deserve to know before you enroll.

2) Financial protection when seconds count

If a child is hurt and a center has no insurance, families can face medical costs with limited avenues for recovery. Disclosure lets parents weigh that risk up front.

3) Trust & accountability

Sunlight changes behavior. When programs must be transparent, it discourages corner-cutting and rewards providers who do things the right way.

4) A quality signal you can see

Carrying insurance is often a marker of a safety-first culture—trained staff, maintained facilities, incident reporting, and emergency planning.

5) Closes the “fine print” gap

Misleading by omission is still misleading. Disclosure brings the truth out of the fine print and into plain view.

6) Fairness & equity

All parents—no matter their background—deserve the same clear information at enrollment. Disclosure protects families least able to absorb surprise costs.

Juan’s Law: A Model for Transparency

After a devastating tragedy, Juan’s Law in Georgia required child care providers to disclose their insurance status. If uninsured, centers must post a visible notice and inform parents in writing at enrollment. It doesn’t mandate coverage; it mandates clarity—and puts the decision back in parents’ hands.

“Isn’t Requiring Insurance Enough?”

Requiring coverage is one policy option. But even where coverage isn’t required, disclosure is the minimum standard of honesty. Parents can then compare programs, ask questions, and choose what aligns with their safety expectations.

Addressing Providers’ Concerns (and Why Disclosure Helps Them, Too)

Rising premiums? Disclosure doesn’t force a purchase; it asks for honesty.
Competing on price? Transparent centers stand out to parents who value safety and professionalism.
Paperwork burden? One posted notice + one line in the enrollment packet is a tiny step with a big trust payoff.

What Parents Should Ask (Easy Checklist)

Do you carry liability insurance? Can I see proof?
If not, is there a posted notice and a written acknowledgment in enrollment forms?
What are your emergency procedures and incident reporting practices?
Are staff background-checked and trained for health & safety?
What’s your staff-to-child ratio and how do you handle substitutes?

The Bottom Line

Truth in Daycare = truth for parents.Disclosure doesn’t punish good providers; it protects families and rewards transparency. When the facts are clear, parents can choose with confidence—and children are safer.

💡 Call to Action

Parents: Ask for proof of insurance or written disclosure at every tour.
Providers: Post your status proudly—transparency builds trust.
Leaders & advocates: Make disclosure the baseline. Families deserve nothing less.