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Daycare regulations like it or not, are necessary. Many view them as an inconvenience, designed to make our lives more difficult and a constant reminder of the increasing red tape in our day care businesses. Although our world in general appears to becoming more bureaucracy happy much of this legislation exists for a reason. More importantly, much of it is there to help protect those who are most vulnerable in our society.

Daycare regulations, however, really only ensure that the minimum standards of care are being met. Quality, early childcare that is constantly improving and evolving can mean so much more than the rulebook. I like to think of the regulations and my inspection reports as guidelines, tools for updating the service I provide.

I don't view them as a criticism of what I do but as a priceless workbook that inspires and aids me to further improve upon what I am doing. Consider what many companies pay consultants to update their systems, procedures, quality control and effectiveness. We get it all through our daycare regulations and inspections.

I keep a copy of the regulations for my region posted on the notice board in the entryway to my day care, one on my desk and one in the staff room. Following my inspections the report becomes my bible, my ultimate focus until such time as I have addressed every issue raised therein regardless of how minor. Then, I post the report (you guessed it), in the entryway, on my desk and in the staff room with an 'Actioned' sticker beside each suggested improvement.

I use the term 'suggested improvement' deliberately because in most cases, the comments are not about a major issue, nor a violation of the daycare regulations but are merely suggestions on how we might do something better or more effectively. I take these comments on board because they are emanating from highly trained, seasoned experts who see it all on a daily basis - the daycare regulations experts.