Kentucky parents have a new resource to help them make more informed decisions when it comes to finding childcare.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services recently launched Rikers requests named in honor of a Franklin County and fact who died at a daycare in 2022.

The cabinet says it worked with the baby's family who wanted to keep other parents from experiencing their pain.

I always find it inspiring when somebody takes a tragedy in their own lives and tries to work to make sure it doesn't happen with somebody else.

And that's really that's really that's really a beautiful way to approach things.

Like Charles Smith died in daycare when he was three months old.

His parents are making sure his short life has a long term impact to Rikers.

Her quest, created in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

We worked and got in touch with these parents, the community partners, and wanted to make sure that really so that no other parent had to go through what they went through.

Having some some things to look for in child care.

They can help a parent feel comfortable that that this that this facility is safe and their child is safe.

Eric Friedlander, secretary for the cabinet, says records requests educates parents about child care decisions by offering a guide on what to ask and what to look out for when considering a daycare facility or an individual for child care.

Rikers name even serves as part of the guide.

Writer is a mnemonic to to kind of help people to understand right that referral to and that and looking for those resources finding referrals from other parents.

Right.

And asking them how they feel about things, looking at basically making sure that you know, knowing that evaluating for how they may deal with your child's health and safety, that's the equipment that's all sorts of different things.

That's the Y K is know you're provider right.

And make sure that they know their CPR and birthday is that evaluate the environment right make sure it's clean make sure that that the equipment is in good repair and the R is really the last hour is just reviewing the provider system.

Right.

And making sure you understand that this is a good provider and you can do that again sometime off our website.

Friedlander says one factor parents often overlook or don't thoroughly investigate is sleeping arrangements and napping routines at daycares.

Being observant of things like making sure the equipment looks good, watching where and how kids sleep because that's really, you know, that's when a child is most vulnerable.

And we see that even in community right on back to sleep, making sure that the kids are right and proper sleep positions.

He also says it's important for parents to know they have the right and should ask to see background checks and certifications for all daycare employees.

Making sure that the employees have backgrounds, record checks, making sure that they have CPR and emergency certification.

If you ask for criminal background checks on employers and they don't want to give it to you, that's a red flag.

You get to ask about their emergency procedures and things like that, that that will help you as a parent feel comfortable that that they're prepared to take care of your child.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Echo Gamble.

Thank you.

Echo Riker's family did not want to talk on camera, but they did send us this statement that says most of us live in a full.

Most of us live a full life and are never able to save one life.

Our little angel, Ryker may save hundreds of lives, end quote.

And for more information on Riker's request, go to the cabinet for Health and Family Services website at C h, fs, dot K-Y dot gov.

There you'll find it listed under the Division of Regulated Child Care.