New DCPs Asking When I'm Going To Stop Updating My Policies???

[Unregistered]

They put a deposit down 9 months ago and haven't even started yet. I've sent update policies twice in the 9 months. Now I'm being asked when will it be a final copy because I've made soooo many changes since they signed on.

I basically responded with "never". As my program, business and regulations change so will my policies. Also when they signed on I'd not even opened full time yet, so I've come across several issues with parents and had to add policies to deal with scenarios that have come up

How do you handle a question like this?

[Mister Sir Husband]

I'd handle about the way you did... "never". When I open my handbook will have a clause in it stating that I can change policies whenever I feel theres a need to. I do plan on giving a couple or more weeks notice(when possible) from the time I notify parents of the change until it takes effect, but for the reasons you stated above, it will happen from time to time

[Maria2013]

"never"

[JoseyJo]

One of my DCMs was chatting w/ me a few weeks ago and mentioned that her husband saw one of my "policy updates" that I sent home about wearing appropriate shoes (no flip flops) on field trip days and wearing shorts or bloomers under dresses and skirts..

He asked her "why is she sending this, this is all common sense stuff. Who would send their kid in flip flops when they are going hiking? "

She said she just had to smile at him and say "Yes, she had to send it, some parents don't have any common sense" ::

We have to change our policies as things come up. I never would have assumed I would have to tell a parent that flip flops are inappropriate for hiking or that even after I told them they would still send them in flip flops on field trips and I would have to make closed shoes mandatory. There will always be stuff that comes up.

[mema]

Never! At some point it may be longer than the dictionary. When will parents not need "common sense" written out?

[lovemylife]

I keep a notebook of everything I need to add to my updated contract. I was under the impression you could only update your contract when the contract is up for renewal. Depending on the provider, at the beginning of the year or after the family has been in your daycare for 1 year. Am I wrong???? If I am wrong that would be great because I have 9 months of issues to add to my policies/contract.

[Laurel]

You can change it as much as you need to.

That said, I am not that concerned about my contract. It is very basic and is only two pages. I only recall changing it if my fees go up (that is a separate fee schedule though) and also changed it once to add a 'hurricane prep day'. I had people wanting to bring their children to me so they could prepare their homes and I was stuck trying to do mine with their children here. Luckily my adult daughter and son came over to help. Their jobs let them off early....

I may have made 2 or 3 changes over 18 years or so.

My reasoning is that for things that should be common sense, like someone said not wearing flip flops on a hike, I just tell the parent. I don't know why all that little stuff has to be written down. If a parent were to ever tell me (which they never have that I recall) "Well not wearing flip flops on a hike is not in your contract" first I'd look at them like they had two heads and second I'd say "Why would I need to put it in there? Wouldn't it be obvious?" Then I'd let them squirm to come up with an answer and bring me the shoes. I also have spare clothes/shoes just in case. No use ruining our day because someone refused to bring the right clothing. I just don't sweat it.

That said, I have had parents from time to time who forgot things like the shoes. I reminded them a lot and I usually did get them on time. If I knew they were doing it on purpose then I'd just say keep them home because they don't have what they need to participate after being reminded repeatedly. I also tell them in person and put a note in their bag. No emails or texts. I have never done emails/texts except for one this year to send her pictures of her child when I get a cute one. We talk or call each other.

I think I would just love for one of them to say "Well it wasn't in your contract." I wouldn't take people or keep people long who had that attitude anyway. I can't recall anyone ever saying that to me about anything.

I just refuse to sweat the small stuff. It usually is only one who has that problem. I just address whatever it is with them. No need to give everyone else a 20 page handbook that they're not going to read anyway with every possible thing that could ever go wrong ever.

Just my two cents.

Laurel

Edited to add: I guess I should add that I don't require a two week notice for them to leave (although I request as much notice as possible) and no money is involved. They can leave anytime they want and I can terminate any time I want. So maybe that is why I don't feel the need to defend my contract. They can either follow the rules or leave. I also don't make a million rules because then they'd want to leave and I don't want that. It is just a common sense thing to me. I make a few simple but important rules and if they can't follow them then bye bye. No one has ever left because they were upset and I've never had to term anyone. (Should have once or twice but didn't)

[cheerfuldom]

I keep a notebook of everything I need to add to my updated contract. I was under the impression you could only update your contract when the contract is up for renewal. Depending on the provider, at the beginning of the year or after the family has been in your daycare for 1 year. Am I wrong???? If I am wrong that would be great because I have 9 months of issues to add to my policies/contract.

its your business. you can do whatever you want. go ahead and update now! most people update once a year and combine that with any rate increases but there is not some set of rules you have to follow about updates. thats the glory of being self employed.

[cheerfuldom]

You can change it as much as you need to.

That said, I am not that concerned about my contract. It is very basic and is only two pages. I only recall changing it if my fees go up (that is a separate fee schedule though) and also changed it once to add a 'hurricane prep day'. I had people wanting to bring their children to me so they could prepare their homes and I was stuck trying to do mine with their children here. Luckily my adult daughter and son came over to help. Their jobs let them off early....

I may have made 2 or 3 changes over 18 years or so.

My reasoning is that for things that should be common sense, like someone said not wearing flip flops on a hike, I just tell the parent. I don't know why all that little stuff has to be written down. If a parent were to ever tell me (which they never have that I recall) "Well not wearing flip flops on a hike is not in your contract" first I'd look at them like they had two heads and second I'd say "Why would I need to put it in there? Wouldn't it be obvious?" Then I'd let them squirm to come up with an answer and bring me the shoes. I also have spare clothes/shoes just in case. No use ruining our day because someone refused to bring the right clothing. I just don't sweat it.

That said, I have had parents from time to time who forgot things like the shoes. I reminded them a lot and I usually did get them on time. If I knew they were doing it on purpose then I'd just say keep them home because they don't have what they need to participate after being reminded repeatedly. I also tell them in person and put a note in their bag. No emails or texts. I have never done emails/texts except for one this year to send her pictures of her child when I get a cute one. We talk or call each other.

I think I would just love for one of them to say "Well it wasn't in your contract." I wouldn't take people or keep people long who had that attitude anyway. I can't recall anyone ever saying that to me about anything.

I just refuse to sweat the small stuff. It usually is only one who has that problem. I just address whatever it is with them. No need to give everyone else a 20 page handbook that they're not going to read anyway with every possible thing that could ever go wrong ever.

Just my two cents.

Laurel

Edited to add: I guess I should add that I don't require a two week notice for them to leave (although I request as much notice as possible) and no money is involved. They can leave anytime they want and I can terminate any time I want. So maybe that is why I don't feel the need to defend my contract. They can either follow the rules or leave. I also don't make a million rules because then they'd want to leave and I don't want that. It is just a common sense thing to me. I make a few simple but important rules and if they can't follow them then bye bye. No one has ever left because they were upset and I've never had to term anyone. (Should have once or twice but didn't)

I am getting more towards how you run things. I will straight out say anything that needs to be said to a parent and preferably in a way that makes them NOT want to make that same mistake again. This is regarding "small stuff" like inappropriate clothing and what not. I do not have the time or resources to waste in printing out lengthy contracts and parent handbooks. That said, I have no problem addressing directly to the parents but a lot of providers, especially new ones, gain a lot of confidence in writing it all out and using that as a resource when they feel they might cave to a demanding or aggressive parent. I certainly would never cave but this is 6 years in the making. and I also dont have a large group. I can see how a thorough contract would be more than helpful the larger the group you have.

[Cat Herder]

"When people stop trying to find loopholes...." ::::::

[MamaBear]

You should do another update today and call it "Policy Update: Daycare Provider can and will update the daycare policy whenever she wants because it's her daycare & she can do what she waaaaants"

[lovemylife]

You should do another update today and call it "Policy Update: Daycare Provider can and will update the daycare policy whenever she wants because it's her daycare & she can do what she waaaaants"

[Starburst]

They put a deposit down 9 months ago and haven't even started yet. I've sent update policies twice in the 9 months. Now I'm being asked when will it be a final copy because I've made soooo many changes since they signed on.

I basically responded with "never". As my program, business and regulations change so will my policies. Also when they signed on I'd not even opened full time yet, so I've come across several issues with parents and had to add policies to deal with scenarios that have come up

How do you handle a question like this?

. I think that was the perfect answer.

I haven't even started my daycare yet but I have been working on my policies for over a year (it's at about 14 pages now) and even though I believe I have covered most of the basics I know I will never fully be done updating it.

They don't understand that this business is your "baby" and that you want to make sure that it is the best business you can make it and that the contract/ policies are as clear as possible to avoid misunderstandings in the future. They also don't understand that there are some scenarios you can't predict that cause conflict and that cause you to change your policies to avoid further conflicts.

You should do another update today and call it "Policy Update: Daycare Provider can and will update the daycare policy whenever she wants because it's her daycare & she can do what she waaaaants"

I also have that in my contract that policies are subject to change at any time with as much notice as possible, but that in most cases I will try to give two weeks notice before enforcing it, unless it is an immediate policy that affects the health and safety of the children, my family/pets, my staff, or myself.

[Play Care]

You can change it as much as you need to.

That said, I am not that concerned about my contract. It is very basic and is only two pages. I only recall changing it if my fees go up (that is a separate fee schedule though) and also changed it once to add a 'hurricane prep day'. I had people wanting to bring their children to me so they could prepare their homes and I was stuck trying to do mine with their children here. Luckily my adult daughter and son came over to help. Their jobs let them off early....

I may have made 2 or 3 changes over 18 years or so.

My reasoning is that for things that should be common sense, like someone said not wearing flip flops on a hike, I just tell the parent. I don't know why all that little stuff has to be written down. If a parent were to ever tell me (which they never have that I recall) "Well not wearing flip flops on a hike is not in your contract" first I'd look at them like they had two heads and second I'd say "Why would I need to put it in there? Wouldn't it be obvious?" Then I'd let them squirm to come up with an answer and bring me the shoes. I also have spare clothes/shoes just in case. No use ruining our day because someone refused to bring the right clothing. I just don't sweat it.

That said, I have had parents from time to time who forgot things like the shoes. I reminded them a lot and I usually did get them on time. If I knew they were doing it on purpose then I'd just say keep them home because they don't have what they need to participate after being reminded repeatedly. I also tell them in person and put a note in their bag. No emails or texts. I have never done emails/texts except for one this year to send her pictures of her child when I get a cute one. We talk or call each other.

I think I would just love for one of them to say "Well it wasn't in your contract." I wouldn't take people or keep people long who had that attitude anyway. I can't recall anyone ever saying that to me about anything.

I just refuse to sweat the small stuff. It usually is only one who has that problem. I just address whatever it is with them. No need to give everyone else a 20 page handbook that they're not going to read anyway with every possible thing that could ever go wrong ever.

Just my two cents.

Laurel

Edited to add: I guess I should add that I don't require a two week notice for them to leave (although I request as much notice as possible) and no money is involved. They can leave anytime they want and I can terminate any time I want. So maybe that is why I don't feel the need to defend my contract. They can either follow the rules or leave. I also don't make a million rules because then they'd want to leave and I don't want that. It is just a common sense thing to me. I make a few simple but important rules and if they can't follow them then bye bye. No one has ever left because they were upset and I've never had to term anyone. (Should have once or twice but didn't)

I am actually trying to move in that direction. I don't want a 20 page handbook/contract to cover every single scenario, because something always comes up with ONE parent and no matter what there's always a "loophole"

[Cradle2crayons]

I keep a notebook of everything I need to add to my updated contract. I was under the impression you could only update your contract when the contract is up for renewal. Depending on the provider, at the beginning of the year or after the family has been in your daycare for 1 year. Am I wrong???? If I am wrong that would be great because I have 9 months of issues to add to my policies/contract.

You don't update the CONTRACT unless hours, rates, days change.

The POLICIES and HANDBOOK are completely different and can be updated whenever they need to