Presenting Your Parent Handbook Policies?

[hellothere94]

I have started to compile my 'Parent Handbook' with policies and contracts, but I'm wondering how to present all of this information to future clients. There are already so many pages and I'm far from completion.

How do you present your policies and contracts to parents? Do you go page by page orally, send it via email for them to read, sit down and have them read it right there themselves, or something entirely different? I am thinking that oral presentation might be best, so they know what they are getting into to prevent conflict in the future. Then again I am thinking that oral presentation might cause them to zone out and get annoyed with the sheer length of pages. What do you do?

[Mike]

My plans are to give them a copy when they first contact me, either via email or in person, and let them read it at home. At interview time, I will discuss the key points and make sure to remind them that signing the contract means they agree with all terms whether they read them or not.

As many here do, with a big handbook, you want it divided into indexed sections, so if parents don't want to read it all, they can at least read what they think is relevant.

[TheMisplacedMidwestMom]

Still new to this, but I have them online. One of my first questions when I'm contacted is "Were you able to look over the handbook?". I ask this before anything else and if they haven't I direct them to it, or offer to email it to them. ("Please take a moment to look over the handbook. It will give you an idea of what to expect and what my expectations are. If you're still interested please get back with me and we'll set up an interview".) I think this has netted me fewer interviews, but I feel like the ones that follow through know what they're getting into are actually interested rather than just browsing.

My worst interview so far was the ONE time I did not do this beforehand, and they showed up expecting something completely different than what I was willing offer (picking and choosing days, late evening hours on last minute notice, etc...).

Then I go over the highlights during the interview, and touch on any areas that I feel need reiterating for that particular family. So far its netted me some awesome families and only one awful interview.

[daycare]

I have mine posted on my website. I don't go over every last detail just the most important ones like

Payment expectations
Hours they will attend
Illness policy
Termination
Two week trial
Deposit requirements
No medication policy
Communication
Our preschool program schedule
Immunizations
List of daycare closing dates
Sample menu of our meal program

Everything else is in my PHB that is posted online.

[debbiedoeszip]

During an interview, I go over the most important parts of the handbook (payment schedule, illness policy, hours, why I'm awesome, etc) and I answer any questions. At the end of the interview, I give them their own copy to take home and go over before contacting me again (assuming they do). The handbook is longer and more detailed than the information I give them during an interview.

[Unregistered]

During the interview I give parents a copy of my handbook to read through. I go over the policies I want to highlight (illness, payments, termination, etc) and they can ask questions or clarifications.

[Josiegirl]

During the interview I give parents a copy of my handbook to read through. I go over the policies I want to highlight (illness, payments, termination, etc) and they can ask questions or clarifications.

That's pretty much the way I do it too. Mine isn't all that lengthy so I don't have an index or anything like that. But I do love that idea!! That way you can add in every single fine point you can think of and direct them to the right page quickly. When a potential dcf calls with interest, I'll briefly ask them what their needs are, then tell them whether or not I have any openings to fit their requests. If so, I'll set up an appointment with them outside of dc hours. I have a folder filled with goodies to present to them, articles about messiness, parental involvement, choosing home daycare versus centers, an introduction letter telling a little about me, a sample menu, contract, a schedule we use(very flexible I might add Lol) AND the ta-da handbook. I show them around my dc. Then we sit down to talk about their philosophies, my philosophies, go over some of the main components of the handbook. Then I tell them it's very important to go home, talk about it, visit other daycares/centers and see what's best for them. They're allowed to keep the whole folder no matter what they decide. I know some providers would go at that because it's extra paper/ink used but to me, that's minor compared to all the other expenses this job entails.

I would LOVE to create an online presence for all of this stuff to be accessible but it would require upkeep, consistency and time. None of which I have or am good at.

[Mike]

That's pretty much the way I do it too. Mine isn't all that lengthy so I don't have an index or anything like that. But I do love that idea!! That way you can add in every single fine point you can think of and direct them to the right page quickly. When a potential dcf calls with interest, I'll briefly ask them what their needs are, then tell them whether or not I have any openings to fit their requests. If so, I'll set up an appointment with them outside of dc hours. I have a folder filled with goodies to present to them, articles about messiness, parental involvement, choosing home daycare versus centers, an introduction letter telling a little about me, a sample menu, contract, a schedule we use(very flexible I might add Lol) AND the ta-da handbook. I show them around my dc. Then we sit down to talk about their philosophies, my philosophies, go over some of the main components of the handbook. Then I tell them it's very important to go home, talk about it, visit other daycares/centers and see what's best for them. They're allowed to keep the whole folder no matter what they decide. I know some providers would go at that because it's extra paper/ink used but to me, that's minor compared to all the other expenses this job entails.

I'm gonna steal that idea from you. Love it. Nice little sales pitch if they haven't decided yet.

I would LOVE to create an online presence for all of this stuff to be accessible but it would require upkeep, consistency and time. None of which I have or am good at.

True, it is more to keep up to date. But daycare providers have lots of free time, right? ::

[CityGarden]

I have a contract and handbook - two separate documents.

I don't go over my handbook it is just on the private parent only site for them to read and to reference. My contract is detailed and has my most important policies - they have to initial each item in the contract and sign it prior to enrollment. I tend to go over my contract or answer questions on that but I will answer questions on the handbook if they ask.

[Josiegirl]

I have a contract and handbook - two separate documents.

I don't go over my handbook it is just on the private parent only site for them to read and to reference. My contract is detailed and has my most important policies - they have to initial each item in the contract and sign it prior to enrollment. I tend to go over my contract or answer questions on that but I will answer questions on the handbook if they ask.

Just curious...what is in your handbook?
I have a statement on my contract that says 'I have read the handbook and will abide by the policies' or something similar to that.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I expect adults to be adults and review paperwork before saying they agree to it. Therefore, I do not read parents anything.

I provide the handbook via e-mail before the interview and ask them to read through it in its entirety. At the interview, I directly ask them if they read through it and if they have any questions. If they enroll, they sign a paper stating that they have read the parent handbook and agree to abide by its policies.

My handbook is lengthy.

[CityGarden]

Just curious...what is in your handbook?
I have a statement on my contract that says 'I have read the handbook and will abide by the policies' or something similar to that.

I sent you a PM with the headers.

[CityGarden]

I expect adults to be adults and review paperwork before saying they agree to it. Therefore, I do not read parents anything.

I agree with this however parents have to initial almost all areas of my contract then sign the bottom. If they just initial and do not read it, then that is on them.

I have a folder filled with goodies to present to them, articles about messiness, parental involvement, choosing home daycare versus centers, an introduction letter telling a little about me, a sample menu, contract, a schedule we use(very flexible I might add Lol) AND the ta-da handbook.

I too give perspective parents a folder. It has my program name and temporary logo on the cover, inside is a sample daily schedule, school calendar, rate sheet, a couple consent sheets, required licensing forms/notifications and the contract. I feel it is a nice touch and gives parents everything they need should they decide to enroll in my program and while it is not "green" it makes my life easier to just have them pre-made and ready.

[Josiegirl]

I sent you a PM with the headers.

Oh Thank you!

[dreamer]

Since there is so much information in the handbook, what things do you all include in the contract itself?