How Do YOU Document?

[craftymissbeth]

I tried to do a couple of searches, but I don't think I'm searching the right words. I love looking at old threads, so if there are answers out there I'd love links


My question is this...

How do you document in your daycare? I'm talking parent communication/child behavior/illnesses/concerns basically any information you feel needs to be documented that could be needed later.

I'm considering a simple spiral notebook for each child. I also read somewhere on here to send yourself an email so you have a date/time stamp, but someone said emails don't stand up in court.

Just curious what everyones systems are

[Cradle2crayons]

I tried to do a couple of searches, but I don't think I'm searching the right words. I love looking at old threads, so if there are answers out there I'd love links


My question is this...

How do you document in your daycare? I'm talking parent communication/child behavior/illnesses/concerns basically any information you feel needs to be documented that could be needed later.

I'm considering a simple spiral notebook for each child. I also read somewhere on here to send yourself an email so you have a date/time stamp, but someone said emails don't stand up in court.

Just curious what everyones systems are

I have a daily report for infants one year and under.

I have a communicatin log where I document emails, phone calls, conversations, texts etc for each client.

I don't document each illness on a separate form.

I also have a behavioral assessment if there are any issues.

I have a form for a brief educational assessment I do at the start of each month and hand over as well.

[daycare]

I use MMK.....

it has a section for daily reports by child. I can type up anything needed, print it out and give a copy to the parent via email. This way it's proof that I told the parent. If it is something serious, I will not only email it to them, but I will have them sign it, give them a copy and then put it in their file.

If I don't need to send it, it just saves on MMK and I can pull it up several different ways....By date or just pull by child name....

I love MMK

[Blackcat31]

I document everything everyday.

I have a phone call notebook in which I write down every call, time and nature of call, number of caller as well as name of person I spoke with. (Including telemarketer calls.)

I also have a notebook for diaper changes and toileting. Each time a child requires a diaper change or assistance in the bathroom, I document who, time and nature of the business. (NOT including toilet trained children)

I have a notebook for meals and snacks. During all meals and snacks I document menu items, who ate and how much as well as times.

I have a drop off/pick up notebook that I record who picked up and if any communication was exchanged and basic level of atmosphere at drop off/pick up....was the child happy, unhappy, eager to arrive/leave, etc....anything that may be important at a later date.

I am a document fanatic. I can't help it. I worked in Head Start before opening my own child care and they document EVERYTHING. That's where I learned.

I use a variety of methods for documenting. NOTHING is too small or too big to document. Documentation shows where you've been, where you are at as well as the direction you are going (general you).

It has come in handy MANY times on both personal and legal levels.

Here is a GREAT handout about documentation from the NAEYC.

http://www.naeyc.org/files/tyc/file/Seitz.pdf

[craftymissbeth]

I have a daily report for infants one year and under.

I have a communicatin log where I document emails, phone calls, conversations, texts etc for each client.

I don't document each illness on a separate form.

I also have a behavioral assessment if there are any issues.

I have a form for a brief educational assessment I do at the start of each month and hand over as well.

Would you be able to share your communication log's layout? Is this a specific form or something like a spiral notebook?

I use MMK.....

it has a section for daily reports by child. I can type up anything needed, print it out and give a copy to the parent via email. This way it's proof that I told the parent. If it is something serious, I will not only email it to them, but I will have them sign it, give them a copy and then put it in their file.

If I don't need to send it, it just saves on MMK and I can pull it up several different ways....By date or just pull by child name....

I love MMK

I love MMK, too and considered using it for documenting. I'm going to look into it more.

I document everything everyday.

I have a phone call notebook in which I write down every call, time and nature of call, number of caller as well as name of person I spoke with. (Including telemarketer calls.)

I also have a notebook for diaper changes and toileting. Each time a child requires a diaper change or assistance in the bathroom, I document who, time and nature of the business. (NOT including toilet trained children)

I have a notebook for meals and snacks. During all meals and snacks I document menu items, who ate and how much as well as times.

I have a drop off/pick up notebook that I record who picked up and if any communication was exchanged and basic level of atmosphere at drop off/pick up....was the child happy, unhappy, eager to arrive/leave, etc....anything that may be important at a later date.

I am a document fanatic. I can't help it. I worked in Head Start before opening my own child care and they document EVERYTHING. That's where I learned.

I use a variety of methods for documenting. NOTHING is too small or too big to document. Documentation shows where you've been, where you are at as well as the direction you are going (general you).

It has come in handy MANY times on both personal and legal levels.

Here is a GREAT handout about documentation from the NAEYC.
http://www.naeyc.org/files/tyc/file/Seitz.pdf

Awesome link, thanks! I'm a list-maker and a neverending Word and Excel document maker... documenting just seems natural to me

[melilley]

I use MMK.....

it has a section for daily reports by child. I can type up anything needed, print it out and give a copy to the parent via email. This way it's proof that I told the parent. If it is something serious, I will not only email it to them, but I will have them sign it, give them a copy and then put it in their file.

If I don't need to send it, it just saves on MMK and I can pull it up several different ways....By date or just pull by child name....

I love MMK

Thanks for the info! I didn't know that you could do that on MMK. I guess I should sit down and mess around on it someday.....when I have time..

[Cradle2crayons]

It's a form I made myself and sure thing I will be happy to share it um as soon as I figure out how to do that .. Lol give me a minute haha

I can email it straight from my iPad if you want me to

[craftymissbeth]

It's a form I made myself and sure thing I will be happy to share it um as soon as I figure out how to do that .. Lol give me a minute haha

I can email it straight from my iPad if you want me to

I sent you a private message... I think ::

[Cradle2crayons]

I sent you a private message... I think ::

Right back at ya!!!