Inspirational and Empowering Child Care Business Owners To Build Successful Child Care Businesses

It’s Time to Update Your Parent Handbook

08 16 10

Creating a Parent Handbook is a great way to formally introduce  and inform parents of your policies & procedures. Your parent handbook will also serve as a reference tool to parents in the event they should have questions about your program. Once families have enrolled in your program, consider keeping a copy of your handbook in a place where it is readily available for parents to review.

Take the time to review the handbook with parents and answer any questions that the parents may have about your program policies or procedures upon enrollment.  Including a page at the end of your parent handbook that parents can initial is beneficial to have on file, in the event a parent claims that they were not made aware of a policy or change.

If there are any changes to your policies, be sure to post the changes and make the necessary changes in your parent handbook. When parents have questions about your policies or program procedures, refer them to your parent handbook.

Posting a copy of your parent handbook on your website or emailing parents a copy, will save you lots of paper and ink. Most of all, parents will appreciate the convenience.

What should be included in your parent handbook? Every childcare program is unique and the policies should be based on the philosophy and mission of the program. Here are some examples of what to include in your parent handbook:

  • Cover page that includes your program name, logo and contact information
  • Table of Contents
  • Philosophy/mission page
  • Scheduled Holidays
  • Things to bring to the program
  • Payment policies
  • Arrival/Departure procedures
  • Staff Qualifications
  • Ways that parents can get involved
  • Meals
  • Parties
  • Behavior Policy
  • Sick Policy
  • Child Abuse & Neglect
  • Injury/Accident Policy
  • How you handle differences
  • How you communicate with parents
  • Authorized person to pick-up child
  • Medication
  • Field trip policy
  • Transportation Policy
  • Inclement weather procedures
  • Parent initial page
  • Payment Agreement

Parent Handbooks are a great marketing tool for childcare programs and every childcare program needs a Parent Handbook!

Get started on your Parent Handbook today!

Shiketa

Category:

parent communication, Policies, Uncategorized

4 Comments

Tagged with:

Go the Extra Mile for Parents

08 06 10

 

According to a NACCRA News Release on August 3, 2010, child care costs continue to rise despite economic downturn. Moreover, the report concludes that childcare exceeds food cost and other household expenses. 

“As a result of increasing child care costs and the current economy, some parents have been forced to remove their children from organized child care programs or licensed settings and  place them in more informal settings ,” said Linda Smith, Executive Director of NACCRRA.  

As child care business owners, it is vital that we provide parents with high quality childcare and consider providing more to assure parents that their child care dollars are well spent. Most of all, you want parents to stay with you and not choose a cheaper child care provider because of their finances. 

Just know that, when parents are happy with your services, they will do all that they can to stay with you. Further more, when you go the extra mile for parents, they will appreciate it and value your service. 

Here are some tips to help you to go the extra mile for parents: 

  • Once a month provide breakfast on the go
  • Provide coupons near sign-in table
  • Waive late payment fees if parents are having financial trouble (if possible)
  • When parents raise funds with a fundraiser, provide a discount on tuition
  • Offer a Late pick-up night
  • Ask about their day
  • Offer bottle water or coffee at pick-up time

This is just a small list of ways that you can go the extra mile for parents. Do all that you can to show your parents that you value their business and that you care! 

” People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”~ John Maxwell 

 

Category:

Administration, Child Care Center, Family Connections, Home Daycare

2 Comments

Tag Cloud