Handbook? Forms?

[SillyGrl]

I am getting ready to start advertising openings for my home! I am starting out small, just a listed child care right now (in Texas, so I can watch three in my home at the moment), the thought being to see how my family and I all handle things before really making the investment with licensing fees and etc.

So, my question is: since I am not registered or licensed, I don't have to do any inspections, and I am not required to keep all the forms that the other home child cares do. Should I go ahead and make forms anyway? What about a handbook? And goodness, how long did it take everyone to write out their handbooks?!

[tehck_1013]

I've been at it for two months now. I have 12 forms that need to be signed before an enrollment, and my parent handbook on top of all that which is 27 pages... If things are okay the way you have them now, and you don't plan on getting licensed, then I wouldn't put in the effort - it's extremely time consuming to write it all up. I mean, you could easily whip up a half butt version of a handbook for yourself, but if you really wanna be thorough and all inclusive then by all means go for it. You will never regret having it because its easier to have policies to enforce than to have nothing and get walked all over. Just something to think about.

[SillyGrl]

And that's really kinda how I feel. I'm not 100% on getting licensed later on. I am a single mom and have really wanted to do child care in my home for a long time for a really long list of reasons. *But*, I have many, many friends who do this and while most of them enjoy it for the most part, I understand the level of commitment and the drain it can cause. Which is why I'm starting small to see how my kids and I handle it

I feel like I really do want a set of policies, just outlining what I expect of parents and what they should expect from me, that kind of thing.

I also feel like it would be in everyone's best interest if I had a few basic forms in case, heaven forbid, something should happen and there is an emergency. Like a basic admission form, name, birthdate, phone numbers, emergency contact, allergies, major illnesses, special concerns, that kind of thing.

12 forms is insane!!

[melilley]

I personally would do both or at least have a form with the child's information and contact info! On one hand writing a handbook can take some time (it took me about 2 months to write mine-I did a lot of research and got lots of advice from the lovely people on here, and I still update every once in a while), but on the other hand it's nice to have policies for the parents to follow and something to back you up in case a situation arises.

Here we are required to have a child info form, a child in receipt form from the state, medication forms for any meds, and field trip permission forms. I think that's it.

[My3cents]

[QUOTE=SillyGrl;464568]And that's really kinda how I feel. I'm not 100% on getting licensed later on. I am a single mom and have really wanted to do child care in my home for a long time for a really long list of reasons. *But*, I have many, many friends who do this and while most of them enjoy it for the most part, I understand the level of commitment and the drain it can cause. Which is why I'm starting small to see how my kids and I handle it

I feel like I really do want a set of policies, just outlining what I expect of parents and what they should expect from me, that kind of thing.

I also feel like it would be in everyone's best interest if I had a few basic forms in case, heaven forbid, something should happen and there is an emergency. Like a basic admission form, name, birthdate, phone numbers, emergency contact, allergies, major illnesses, special concerns, that kind of thing.

12 forms is insane!![/QUOTE]

12 forms is not insane. I suggest if your going to give this a go you start off right from the get go........and have all your ducks lined up in a row. Its harder to enforce policies later down the road.

I suggest you have a policy, hand, rule book and a contract. Know what you want to do and how you want to run your business. Be ready to change these as you learn but having a good starting point in the best way to go. I suggest taking a few classes too, so you know the ins and outs of daycare. Being licensed you can also get on the food program and that is worth it- It is draining and it is a commitment but so is any other job. I suggest you visit some of your friends daycares and see how day to day operations work- be hands on and learn. I wish you the best and hope to hear more postings on how its going for you-

[LysesKids]

12 forms is insane!!

… 12 is not bad really. I have 9 registration pages including the contract or intent to contract form and I'm legally license exempt (no food program papers or other state mandated stuff anymore… I dropped my license 4 years ago). Believe me, have the paperwork from the get go so parents don't walk all over you… makes you look more professional too

My handbook is all online on my website, but printed it's another 8 pages

[SillyGrl]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice!!

12 forms is not insane. I suggest if your going to give this a go you start off right from the get go........and have all your ducks lined up in a row. Its harder to enforce policies later down the road.

I suggest you have a policy, hand, rule book and a contract. Know what you want to do and how you want to run your business. Be ready to change these as you learn but having a good starting point in the best way to go. I suggest taking a few classes too, so you know the ins and outs of daycare. Being licensed you can also get on the food program and that is worth it- It is draining and it is a commitment but so is any other job. I suggest you visit some of your friends daycares and see how day to day operations work- be hands on and learn. I wish you the best and hope to hear more postings on how its going for you-

Thanks!! A year ago, I started the process to get licensed in Kansas, and took all the classes that they require for licensing, was just about ready when my ex decided he didn't want a daycare in the house. I'm thankful I took the classes, though. I also worked as a pediatric home health nurse and am currently going to school to be a teacher. Doesn't really pertain to the ins and outs of home child care, but helps with caring for children. As a result of taking all the classes in Kansas, I qualified as a sub and subbed in for my friends, helped out as an assistant when they needed, stuff like that. I haven't had a chance to do that since moving here, but I hope that experience helps.

I'm working on policies right now. Hoping I don't forget something. I tend to shy away from confrontations when it comes to other adults in person, but I am happy to point to a policy and repeat, "According to the policies which you agreed upon ..."

[spinnymarie]

There are some great suggestions in the forms section of this forum for contracts and policies

[Second Home]

I too suggest getting all you paperwork in order . That wat everything is written down and there is much less conflict with parents over policies . I went to thedaycarelady.com site and took bits and pieces of different forms to rewrite my handbook . Sometimes it is easier to see things already written down than start from scratch .