I put my responses in bold. I'm just trying to figure everything out before I sign up the first kids so I keep it all the same and not change my mind after one or two enrollments. LOL
Please keep giving out ideas.
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I am not understanding what you mean about filling out a lengthy handbook....I only have one handbook and parents go over that WITH me during the interview and get one copy to keep. I do not put handbooks in files (?) The contract I use is one single page and is filled out one per child. That goes into each child's file folder.
My handbook is five pages and I have a place on the last page for parent and provider signature. Tom Copeland I think recommended it just as an extra form of proof besides the contract that the parents read it. I do go over each section in general with people when they're here, but other than that I send it home with them to keep once they enroll and also sign a copy for me to keep in their file. I have the handbook be signed and kept in each family's file because I may change certain things in my handbook as time goes and not update everyone's incase I do them at separate times of the year. I'm more likely to update the contract regularly but keep the handbook the same for over a year anyways.
Yes, it makes a lot of paper work and signing on the parents part but isn't it the same for school? Each child has forms to be filled out for each grade level or each individual file on school so why is it so weird for child care to do the same? Heck, I had to write two separate checks for lunches for my kids when they were in school because they each ahd their own lunch accounts....
Do you have parents write out separate checks too? I can understand a daycare center that is large have checks be written out per child, but not a home daycare. I only want one check from each family. It all comes out of the same account.
Seems pretty common to have to fill out one form per child in most situations, Doctor, dentist, clubs, sports waivers, ect...
Beside, in my state EACH child is required to have their own file, records, enrollment forms, imm forms, etc etc... I cannot just write two or three names on one sheet of paper. So a family of 3 would have 3 separate enrollment forms, 3 separate food prgram forms, 3 separate imm forms and 3 separate contracts to fill out.
Yes, each child will have two forms individually--that is why I have separate files for each child, but don't understand having multiple handbooks/contracts for the same family IF both parents are the same for all the kids. My food program form can have 3 or 4 kids on one form so that would go in the oldest child's file too. Immunizations would be separate just like the two forms required by the state, but the bulk (handbook/contract/food program) forms would be in one of the siblings files.
On another note, I have a couple sibling groups who have different fathers so therefore have different info that is required.