With day care a necessity for many parents, there are big differences in the types of day cares parents can take their children to.
Within the last few months, two toddlers have died while under the care of an in-home day care provider. Seven-month-old Aniyah Boone was rushed to the hospital where she later died after she was reported not breathing properly at a home day care in Merriam, Kan.
Wednesday, a former Olathe day care provider has been arrested in connection with the death of an 18-month-old girl.
Day cares that are licensed must meet certain regulations in both Kansas and Missouri.
"We monitor licensed facilities," Shari Comp, a Missouri child care facility specialist, said. "We make unannounced visits every six months and more frequently if we observe problems."
However, only license day cares must meet certifications and receive regular visits. Those with smaller numbers of children are not visited by the state.
"Not if they have four or fewer unrelated children," Comp said. "And they can have as many related children in those categories."
Kim Engleman's 13-month-old daughter died in an at home facility in Mission. Kan. She said providers at in-home centers in Kansas only have to be within ear shot of a child.
"They can be around a corner on a different floor of the home as was our situation," Engleman said. "That's just not sufficient, especially with children under 2 or 3."