Presenting Your Parent Handbook Policies?

[Ariana]

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.

I do the same! I also email them a PDF before they start and then give them a hard copy on their first day. At the beginning of fall I send an illness policy reminder by email or post it on my private FB page.

[Ariana]

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

My handbook is my contract. The parent agreement that they sign states "I have read and understand the policies outlined in the parent handbook", then they sign and date it.

[Blackcat31]

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

Your contract should cover payment amounts and dates payment is due. Contracts should be all the financial arrangements you have with the parent/family while your handbook is the operational information.

When enforcing your contract legally or via the courts, they are only concerned about the financial information. Courts won't help or support you in enforcing your closing time or your meal routines/rules.

Tom Copeland has a book called "Family Child Care Contracts and Policies" that discusses the difference as well as what items should be in writing in which document.

[Kimskiddos]

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.

This is how I do it too. I also have a handout with excerpts from my handbook, outlining most of the above. We discuss this and it's for them to take home.

[Mike]

A handbook would contain procedures, rules, regulations, anything about your services that applies to all families. The contract, like BC said, would be the finances, and would also be where you can specify any operating information that is different between families.

[AmyKidsCo]

My handbook is 58 pages - WAY too long to read with the parent during an interview. I also have all the policies on my website, but not in the same format as the Handbook.

I email a copy of the Handbook before the interview so they can look it over and bring any questions with them. I also have all policies regarding time and money in the contract, with places for them to initial that they read the policies and agree to follow them, that I'm a mandated reporter, and that I will report unsafe transportation circumstances to the police.

[dreamer]

Thank you Ariana, BlackCat31 and Mike for your answers! Reading this thread is really helping me a lot.

Wow, 58 pages! you all make me wonder what's missing from what I've written so far!

[Mike]

Thank you Ariana, BlackCat31 and Mike for your answers! Reading this thread is really helping me a lot.

Wow, 58 pages! you all make me wonder what's missing from what I've written so far!

You'll figure that out as time goes on, or by reading here.

[LysesKids]

Thank you Ariana, BlackCat31 and Mike for your answers! Reading this thread is really helping me a lot.

Wow, 58 pages! you all make me wonder what's missing from what I've written so far!

Printed out mine is 10 pages easily ( front & back)... I also have all policies on my website as well as a FAQ's section... most parents that pass my phone interview are granted a 30 min Meet & greet (to see the house and finalize any last minute questions); 95% sign a contract at that meeting

I essentially let my website do the marketing for me

[Josiegirl]

I redid mine last year and am finding I need to redo again. The major problem is parents either read it and forget or read it and ignore. So I end up sending home reminders A LOT. There has got to be a better way. I know parents have a lot going on and we are just one more entity for them to keep straight in their lives. My policies aren't that overly long so not difficult to read through and understand.

[spinnymarie]

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.

Same

[Lil_Diddle]

I have a folder with my handbook, info about myself, and other selling points. I let the parents look through it on their own for a few minutes before or after I visit with the child, depending on the child. Then we sit down and read through it. I skim over the less important common sense parts. Because my handbook is so long I do not give copies to everyone. But I do give a one page overview of the important policies as well as a page for them to write notes or questions they had. I do not give out the full handbook until they decide to enroll and have made a payment towards the deposit.