What to include in PArents Handbook?

[Miss Amanda]

Hello all,

I am new to this site and am opening my home daycare for September. I'm just wondering what I should be including in the Parents Handbook. Does anyone have one that they can email me so that I might use it as a template?

Thanks

Amanda

[Play and Learn]

Hey Amanda,

Give me a PM, and I'll give you some pointers!

[Inspired by Reggio]

My Contract includes


Full legal name and birthdays of children it applies to
Parents legal names and home mailing Address
Who Income tax is to be issued to
Hours of Care being committed to both days and drop off and pick up times
Weekly Fee total ____________
Security Deposit amount followed by policy for non refundable or applied to proper notice period under certain conditions
Payment schedule weekly / biweekly / month in advance of care ... policy on payments re cheques or cash, late payment of fees , NSF charges and what will happen if clients repeatedly have NFS issues, additional charges that may apply if client uses more hours than committed to ~ aka late picking up their child at end of day, need to drop off earlier than contracted and so forth.
Program closure policies around stats, vacation, sick days, etc as well as policy around absences for 'clients' and which one are paid or not and any 'notice' required etc.
Parent handbook for service disclaimer that it was received, reviewed in detail and questions answered, and provider agrees to provide service as outlined within the handbook and client agrees to abide by all program polices and procedures contained within it to ensure provider has resources and support needed to provide proper service.
Termination notice required for ending contract or 'conditions' under which this contract can be terminated without notice by either party and that this contract is in place until another 'more recently dated one' replaces it.
signatures and dates of all parties


My Parent Handbook contains


Mission Statement
Philosophy on Early Learning and Care
Hours of Operation / Standing Program Closure Dates / Provider Vacation & Personal Day policies
Registration and Orientation procedures / What to expect upon enrollment / First day checklist
Fee Payment polices (in greater detail / explanation than contract)
Tax Receipt policies
Withdrawal / Changes to Service / Termination of Contract (in greater detail / explanation than contract)
Custody Arrangements and Separated Parent protocols
Arrival and Departure protocols and expectations
Release to other parties other than parent/guardian procedures
Supervision protocol
Nutrition philosophy and meal time protocols
Physical Activity philosophy and Inclement Weather protocols
Washroom / Diapering / Toilet training protocols
Health & Safety in program (aka immunization protocols, illness and communicable disease protocols, emergency medical care protocols, medication at home or in care protocols, toothbrush program, cleaning of program space and materials in the environment, fire drills and evacuation plan, etc)
Behavior and Guidance protocols ~ code of conduct, grounds for termination in regards to behavior and so forth
Communication protocols for daily communication as well as 'conflict resolution'.
Confidentiality and storing of personal information protocols