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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Handbook Layout/Length
PitterPatter 10:16 AM 04-12-2011
I have been using the same handbook I created 5 years ago but I add to it every year. Now it is 9 pages long with 33 topics. Something is off so I wanted to ask for opinions.

Is 9 pages too much?
Are there too many topics?
Most importantly are the topics in the best order?

I have switched some around but it doesn't have that nice flow that it originally did 5 years ago. What order do u think would be best? Thanks in advance for any help! Here is the basic layout - the details.

About Me :
Hours of operation:
Holidays daycare will be closed:
Provider vacation and absences:
Closings due to a flood/Power outage:
Rates, Payment Policy, and Fees:
Late Pickup/Arrival / No show, Policy & fees:
State licensing requirements & standards:
Registration checklist:
Health forms:
Health Matters/Illness Policy:
Medication:
Medical and Dental Emergency Procedures:
Note of common courtesy:
Non-Discrimination:
Arrival and departure:
Meals:
Special Diets:
Daily Schedule:
Daily Reports & Newsletters:
Holidays & Birthdays:
Behavior management philosophy & discipline:
Child Abuse/Neglect:
Potty Training:
Transportation and field trips:
Toys:
Activities:
TV viewing:
Your individual child:
Zero Tolerance!
Supplies that must brought and kept at daycare:
Termination of contract:
A Final Note:
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thecrazyisout 10:23 AM 04-12-2011
My PHB is 17 pages long...probably adding more to it soon. I just think it is good to have things in writing so there is no confusion and areas where a parent may have confused what you offer. Then it is laid out for them and no arguments or problems....then it is their responsibility to make sure they understand what they are getting into..
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PitterPatter 10:32 AM 04-12-2011
Originally Posted by thecrazyisout:
My PHB is 17 pages long...probably adding more to it soon. I just think it is good to have things in writing so there is no confusion and areas where a parent may have confused what you offer. Then it is laid out for them and no arguments or problems....then it is their responsibility to make sure they understand what they are getting into..
WOW ok so 9 isn't much then. I think I have it all down and crystal clear, then a new family comes in and has a whole new issues I never thought of or encountered so there I go writing more details. I even found myself repeating a few things in differen't phrases because some clients didn't understand what I meant. (cop out) Thanks!
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missnikki 03:02 PM 04-12-2011
Originally Posted by Tygerluv:
WOW ok so 9 isn't much then. I think I have it all down and crystal clear, then a new family comes in and has a whole new issues I never thought of or encountered so there I go writing more details. I even found myself repeating a few things in differen't phrases because some clients didn't understand what I meant. (cop out) Thanks!
It should be as long as it needs to be, no shorter.

Be careful repeating yourself in your policies...a parent might think that the only policy on....say...late pickups is the one on page X, but if you refer to it on page T also, that is too confusing, esp. when worded differently each time.
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Michael 03:03 PM 04-12-2011
Some other examples: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28663
https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28663
https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28142
https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=handbook
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PitterPatter 05:25 PM 04-12-2011
Thank u everyone!
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Tags:handbook, handbook - length, handbook - sample
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