On June 5th, 2009 a fire consumed a daycare “Guardaría ABC” in Hermosillo, in Mexico’s desert state of Sonora, tragically taking the lives of 29 infants in the care of that facility. This calamity was heavily criticized in Mexico and internationally because it could have been prevented by more supervision of the installations and better regulation in the daycare industry as a whole: the building lacked proper emergency exits, the building was constructed with flammable materials that caused a “rain of fire” on the installations and the child to staff ratio was about 10 to 1, making it impossible for the caregivers to get all of the infants to safety.
In answer to the criticism about the lack of daycare regulation, the State of Quintana Roo published the Law for the Provision of Daycare Services in December of 2009, the same year as the ABC fire. The federal government’s response to the problem, the “Ley General De Prestación De Servicios Para La Atención, Cuidado Y Desarrollo Integral Infantil” or General Law for the Provision of Services of Attention, Care and Whole Childhood Development was published on October 24th of 2011 and regulates the daycare system on a grander scale. Both of these laws ensure that daycare facilities are properly equipped, staffed by qualified care providers and are regularly inspected in order to ensure quality care and the safety of the enrolled children. Like any other law, the Childcare acts specify requirements for use, obligations of the involved parties, and sanctions for non-compliance with the rules. The federal law, as mentioned, deals with a broader scope of issues and delegates some of the more specific details to the state and municipal authorities.
The facilities themselves must meet a strict list of requirements, such as all public utilities, hot and cold water, proper bathroom facilities for both sexes, water storage, fire retardant building materials, emergency exits, proper security and enough space for recreational, cultural and exercise activities. Childcare personnel in this state must have regular medical check-ups and be free of contagious diseases or mental defects. The federal law also specifies the child to caregiver ration and training that the caregivers must have. The state law specifies that during the hours when the daycare is functioning, no one be allowed inside the facilities except registered daycare employees.
Hopefully, these changes in the regulation and control of the childcare facilities will provide a safe and secure environment for the growth and development of Mexico’s children and will help avoid future tragedies like the one experienced in Sonora.
