58% of working parents depend on daycares to care for their children. As a daycare provider, it's more important than ever to have a clear and outlined parent handbook. This is especially important so staff isn't overwhelmed with parents who do not understand your policies and continually break them.
Keep reading to learn more about the sections to include in your parent handbook.
1. Introduction and Welcome
The introduction should be on the first page of the handbook. It should introduce the daycare and its mission statement. It should also include what to expect from its services and how to get in touch with them.
A welcome page is a great way for parents to know what they can expect when they arrive at the daycare for their child’s visit. This could include where to park, what time pick up is, and who to contact if there are any questions or concerns.
2. Child Care and Teaching Philosophies
It is important that parents know what kind of philosophy your daycare has. This is so they can make an informed decision about whether or not it aligns with theirs.
The child’s happiness and well-being should be your top priority. This means you have to ensure that you are providing them with a caring environment that will help them grow into happy and healthy adults. Read more about child care management.
3. Operating Information
The childcare handbook is a document that outlines the policies and procedures of the daycare. It is important to include all of the operating information.
The most important information that parents need to know is the operating hours of your daycare. This will allow them to plan their work schedules accordingly. It also makes sure they can attend events or appointments on time without worrying about their child's care.
4. Enrollment, Waitlist, and Withdrawal Policies
Parents need to know the policies of your daycare. Policies are what guide parents and children in their interactions. Parents need to know how they can help their children and what they should do if something goes wrong.
Having a clear set of policies will help parents feel more comfortable and confident in your daycare. It will also make it easier for parents to understand rules about enrollment, waitlists, and withdrawals.
5. Sign-In and Pick-Up Procedures
Parents need to know how to sign in and out their children at the daycare. This is a crucial part of the parent-daycare relationship. Parents should be aware of the procedures so that they can make sure their children are safe.
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6. Sample Daily Schedule
Parents are often curious about the daily schedule of their child at daycare. They want to know what time they will be starting and which activities they will participate in. They also wonder about how long they'll be there for each activity.
A sample daily schedule can answer these questions and also serve as a guideline for parents on how to prepare for pick-up or drop-off.
7. Supplies and Snacks Rundown
It is important to provide parents with information about snacks and supplies in your daycare's parent handbook. Parents may be wondering what they should bring with their children when dropping them off at your daycare. Providing this information will help parents know what to expect at your daycare.
8. Sick Days and Schedule Interruptions
It is important for parents to know what to expect when their child is sick or will miss daycare. This includes knowing the school's policies on absences. Parents need to know how to alert daycare workers their child will be absent and how many days this is allowed.
9. Special Classroom Activity Rules
Parents should have a clear understanding of the rules and expectations for their children in the classroom. If they are not given this information, it can lead to confusion, frustration, or even misbehavior.
The parent handbook is a way to communicate these expectations. It is an easy-to-understand format that parents can reference as needed. It also helps teachers and daycare staff to be consistent with their enforcement of classroom rules.
10. Code of Conduct and Discipline Procedures
A code of conduct and discipline procedures are necessary for a daycare. This is to maintain a safe, healthy, and productive environment for the children.
Parents should know that they are not the only ones who need to follow the rules. They should be able to refer back to these documents if there is ever a problem with their child's daycare.
You can streamline all of this information with a daycare management system. Book a free demo today to check it out.
11. Health and Safety Regulations
Parents need to know the health and safety practices that are in place at their child's daycare. This way, they can know what to expect and feel safe about their child's daycare. Including this information in your handbook can help parents feel more secure about the care their children receive.
12. Emergency Procedures
It is imperative that you include emergency procedures in your daycare’s parent handbook. This will help to keep parents informed of what to do in an emergency situation. It will also help to reduce the amount of liability for the daycare.
13. Parent Conferences and Communications
It should include information about how to communicate with teachers or staff members. It should outline how often they can call or visit. Also, it should include any other policies that may be important to parents such as parent conferences or events.
14. Billing Policies
It is important for daycare centers to have a clear billing policy for parents. Parents need to know how much they will be paying each month and what the different payment methods are. It is also important that the center communicates any changes in their billing policy to parents as soon as possible.
15. Form to Return
Including a form for parents to fill out at the beginning of their time at the daycare, or even just a simple waiver, is important. It helps put parents' minds at ease and make them feel safer about their child's care.
16. Acknowledgement and Signature
Parents sign a daycare's parent handbook to show that they agree with and understand the policies and rules in place. This includes the consequences of not following these policies.
Read More About Developing a Parent Handbook for Daycare
Now that you know what to include in the daycare parent handbook, you can update yours! We hope you have a better understanding of what needs to be addressed so parents aren't constantly asking questions.
Do you have more questions about the daycare handbook and other child management topics? Check out our guide, Common Licensing Violations Revealed, to learn more about maintaining a child care facility.
Are you looking for more child care management information? Check out ourUltimate Guide to Child Care Management.
Our child care management system makes running your child care program simple and efficient.Get back to what's most important. You shouldn't have to spend more time on the administrative tasks than you do with children and staff.
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Do you run an early childhood association made up of child care providers? If so, check out ourUltimate Guide to Shared Service Alliance.
Header image courtesy of Jumpstory.
