Md. audit finds lapses in safeguards at private day cares, preschools

COLLEGE PARK – Child safety inspections are falling through the cracks in Maryland.

The Washington Examiner reports a state audit released this week shows private day care centers and preschools are somehow going without mandated safety checks.

The Department of Education failed to perform the inspections 31 times in 60 facilities across the state from 2008 through 2011.

Fourteen of the missed checks were at centers in Prince George’s County.

According to the report, the inspections are meant to protect the health and safety of children at the facilities.

The audit also suggests there are occasional lapses in the system that triggers a follow up when red flags appear in employee criminal background checks.

A department spokesman tells the Examiner all employees are thoroughly checked and completing every inspection is a priority.

Read the full report here (courtesy Washington Examiner)

MSDE13 by Jennifer Peebles

WTOP’s Nick Iannelli contributed to this report. Follow @NickWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter.

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