A daycare is the place where your toddler or young child spends hours of his time. It should be safe, fun and developmentally appropriate with well-trained staff. If you suspect a daycare center of verbal or physical abuse, neglect or gross misconduct toward any of the children under its care, you should report the daycare center immediately to a governing body. Child abuse helplines can assist with complaints if you are unsure of which governing body to contact. These helplines can also provide resources for counseling services for parents or children in the case of significant wrongdoing. Other complaints, such as cleanliness or safety hazard complaints, should also be reported to the organization that oversees the standards of the daycare center, or to another governing body.

Record all suspicions you have, such as noting down any injuries on the child, any emotional changes or any noticeable difference after day care. Include times, dates and any other significant information. Document concrete evidence of any suspicions, such as pictures of recent injuries. Ask your child about any mistreatment at the daycare center and, if she chooses to disclose anything, keep a record of what has been said or ask your child to repeat the evidence later. If you are asking a child about a particular incident, be sure to ask general questions rather than ones leading to answers about what you think happened.

Contact the local or national agency which deals with child abuse, such as the Department of Child Services. If you cannot locate a local or national agency, contact a child helpline or child abuse service, such as Childhelp National Abuse Hotline, which can guide you through the process or reporting a daycare center.

If your complaint is is a sanitation issue or other complaint that is not related to abuse, neglect, or mistreatment, contact the daycare center directly. Another option is to contact the regulating body or agency in your state that oversees daycare standards.

Compile all information and evidence you have documented to present to a governing body or organization. Ensure that you provide the correct contact information for yourself and the daycare center. In any complaint your identity, as well as your child's identity, will be kept anonymous by the governing body or organization investigating the complaint. Consider obtaining legal advice from the organization processing your complaint or a legal representative if the complaint should be taken further.