What Are Your Strict Policies?

[Unregistered]

I've never been a complete pushover, but recently after an incident in my home, I've gone from accomodating to "this is my business, you are my client".

Real quick about the incident, I have 2 big dogs. I had one very, very part time dcm who saw one of my dogs through a window one day and threw a fit. She called and texted other dcf's, working everyone into a tizzy that I had large breed dogs in my home (German Shepherds). For the record, I have a contract everyone needs to sign stating that I own these dogs and that they are always kept separate from the daycare. I'm lucky enough to have the daycare on the bottom floor, a walkout basement with a separate entrance. The dogs have never seen the light of day down there. So I had 4 dcf's ready to leave if I didn't get my dogs off of the property during daycare hours. Anyhoo...we own a large pole barn, built them a huge (and expensive) indoor/outdoor cage that weekend.

So...I stopped being nice and accomodating. I'm charging late fees, and I'm going to redo my contract. No more "special". Whether I agree/disagree with the dogs being present, it doesn't matter at this point. My dog was not threatening, by the way, that dcm just didn't want a dangerous breed at the home. (She was immediately let go and replaced, as well as another very part time parent, who caused the biggest stink. Ain't no one got time for that!)

So...I am wondering about everyone's "strict" policies, so that I may include them and be as business like as possible going forward.

[childcaremom]

For me:
- picking up on time and sticking to their contracted hours
- paying on time
- illness policy being followed

[Unregistered]

For me:
- picking up on time and sticking to their contracted hours
- paying on time
- illness policy being followed

OP Here. All of my parents pay on time generally, but I ask for payment by Monday. Sometimes it's Friday. Do you charge a daily late fee?

[JackandJill]

-picking up on time, I have a two strikes and you're out policy.
-paying on time, I take payments on Mondays, with daily late fees. If it isn't paid by Thursday night (including fees) you are immediately termed.
-illness policy, I exclude for symptoms, and have a very detailed list of what those symptoms are. I also have the 24/48 hours rule. I have termed for people not following the illness policy.
-potty training, I am happy to help, but there is a checklist of what a child must be able to do before they start potty training in care.
-nap time, if your child will not nap or have a regular quiet time on their mat, then your child is not a good fir for the program.

All these things keep me from ripping my hair out when dealing with parents. I feel like there are lots of other things that I can address and work with parents as they come up (hitting, misbehavior, etc.), but these ones are the rules that I never waiver on. These rules allow me to operate each day without being stressed out!

Good luck with your new policies!

[childcaremom]

OP Here. All of my parents pay on time generally, but I ask for payment by Monday. Sometimes it's Friday. Do you charge a daily late fee?

Due 9 am on Friday, for care commencing on the following Monday. Late fees start at 9:01. $15/per calendar day. In cash.

Late fees for late pick ups are the same. I do not offer leeway for any reason. Late fees start one minute past their pick up time. Late fees are due at drop off the following day (do not stop at the bank for the money!) in cash only or care will not be provided. Repeated late pick ups can result in immediate termination with no refund of fees. (in my contract but I've never had to use it)

Illnesses I've switched to the 24/48 rule. I don't do any OTC meds and don't accept children into care who've had them. Dope and drops are immediate terms with no refund of fees. I also have a long and thorough exclusion list.

My parents now are (mostly) awesome but there's a parent and a story behind each of my policies.

[Snowmom]

* No drop offs during bus time (15 minute timeframe) and no pick ups during the posted nap time.

I state that although I will never keep you from your child, picking up during nap time disrupts the entire group's schedule and is very disrespectful. If you disregard this policy, you can certainly leave with your child, along with your termination notice.
If you'd like to avoid the termination notice, then please schedule pick ups before 12:45 or after 3:15 (which allows me a 15 minute buffer before/after our 2 hour nap).

[Blackcat31]

I've never been a complete pushover, but recently after an incident in my home, I've gone from accomodating to "this is my business, you are my client".

Real quick about the incident, I have 2 big dogs. I had one very, very part time dcm who saw one of my dogs through a window one day and threw a fit. She called and texted other dcf's, working everyone into a tizzy that I had large breed dogs in my home (German Shepherds). For the record, I have a contract everyone needs to sign stating that I own these dogs and that they are always kept separate from the daycare. I'm lucky enough to have the daycare on the bottom floor, a walkout basement with a separate entrance. The dogs have never seen the light of day down there. So I had 4 dcf's ready to leave if I didn't get my dogs off of the property during daycare hours. Anyhoo...we own a large pole barn, built them a huge (and expensive) indoor/outdoor cage that weekend.

So...I stopped being nice and accomodating. I'm charging late fees, and I'm going to redo my contract. No more "special". Whether I agree/disagree with the dogs being present, it doesn't matter at this point. My dog was not threatening, by the way, that dcm just didn't want a dangerous breed at the home. (She was immediately let go and replaced, as well as another very part time parent, who caused the biggest stink. Ain't no one got time for that!)

So...I am wondering about everyone's "strict" policies, so that I may include them and be as business like as possible going forward.

I'm sure others may agree but I'm about as strict as they come when it has to do with business.

My handbook is 36 pages long and covers every.thing.

Which policies are my strictest? All of them.

[Annalee]

I've never been a complete pushover, but recently after an incident in my home, I've gone from accomodating to "this is my business, you are my client".

Real quick about the incident, I have 2 big dogs. I had one very, very part time dcm who saw one of my dogs through a window one day and threw a fit. She called and texted other dcf's, working everyone into a tizzy that I had large breed dogs in my home (German Shepherds). For the record, I have a contract everyone needs to sign stating that I own these dogs and that they are always kept separate from the daycare. I'm lucky enough to have the daycare on the bottom floor, a walkout basement with a separate entrance. The dogs have never seen the light of day down there. So I had 4 dcf's ready to leave if I didn't get my dogs off of the property during daycare hours. Anyhoo...we own a large pole barn, built them a huge (and expensive) indoor/outdoor cage that weekend.

So...I stopped being nice and accomodating. I'm charging late fees, and I'm going to redo my contract. No more "special". Whether I agree/disagree with the dogs being present, it doesn't matter at this point. My dog was not threatening, by the way, that dcm just didn't want a dangerous breed at the home. (She was immediately let go and replaced, as well as another very part time parent, who caused the biggest stink. Ain't no one got time for that!)

So...I am wondering about everyone's "strict" policies, so that I may include them and be as business like as possible going forward.

Everyone has to arrive by 8.
52 weeks pay a year
Contracted hours not to exceed 4:30.
Pay in advance.
Taking Holidays, vacation, personal, emergency, professional time!

[Cat Herder]

My time.
My money.
My property.



Also, It would be illegal for me to have german shepherds in a day care home. There is a list of plants and animals I can't have.

[Unregistered]

Communication. I require many things in writing. It eliminates "I said, You said" problems down the line. I provide a series of forms to make it easier. When someone tells me "I need early/late care ... Auntie will pick up ... we will be on vacation ..." I say, "Mm-mmm" and direct them to the forms.

[thrivingchildcarecom]

One thing I would say is not so much a change or new policy but that I adapted over time, but more of a tactic. When a child gets sick at the dc, instead of calling or texting the symptoms and allowing the parent to realize they need to come and pick up their child, I tell them, "Little Johnie has a temp of over 101 and needs to be excused from the dc for the day. Please pick him up in a hour."

I really don't have time for the whole back in and forth. If there is a symptom that meets the criteria under my illness policy, then they must go. THAT'S IT!

Oh and one more thing; When I do excuse someone I send them home with an Illness Exclusion Form that details my policy as well as what conditions and when they are allowed to return to the dc. If you would like a copy of the form, just send me a pm with your email. I would love to share it.

[LittleScholars]

One thing I would say is not so much a change or new policy but that I adapted over time, but more of a tactic. When a child gets sick at the dc, instead of calling or texting the symptoms and allowing the parent to realize they need to come and pick up their child, I tell them, "Little Johnie has a temp of over 101 and needs to be excused from the dc for the day. Please pick him up in a hour."

I really don't have time for the whole back in and forth. If there is a symptom that meets the criteria under my illness policy, then they must go. THAT'S IT!

Oh and one more thing; When I do excuse someone I send them home with an Illness Exclusion Form that details my policy as well as what conditions and when they are allowed to return to the dc. If you would like a copy of the form, just send me a pm with your email. I would love to share it.

This is form is so smart! I'm going to PM you for a copy if that's OK. The families I have right now are wonderful about illness, but not because of anything I'm doing! Families often text me to remind them of the exclusion list. It is in their handbooks, but I suppose since that is a thick document they come to me first.

[Unregistered]

My time.
My money.
My property.



Also, It would be illegal for me to have german shepherds in a day care home. There is a list of plants and animals I can't have.

Not illegal where I live. I'm also licensed. My daycare is also separate with a separate entrance, fenced in play area, and no need to ever see the rest of my home, or my dogs. They were also trained by a protege of Cesar Milan. We covered our bases, so to speak.

With that said, I don't actually mind them gone.
The .001% chance that anything ever does happens is removed from my conscience. But...the most dog attacks actually happen from those small chuichuias (sp?)

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

1. Illness policy. I detail exactly what is allowed and not allowed and YES I do send home for a continuous runny nose or cough. If I send home they must remain home for a full 48 hours. If they opt to keep them home then they stay home the traditional 24 hours. That rule was found on this forum. I cannot work if I am ill and this keeps the illness rate down GREATLY here.

2. Late payment. They have until 7:00am Monday morning to pay online. At 7:01am there is a $20.00 late fee AND they won't be accepted into care that day until their entire balance is paid in full. It is a $20.00/day fee. This is my income and so if it is late then it will come with a fee.

3. Late pick up. It is $1.00/minute past closing time. Yes, I have charged a $1.00 late fee. I respect my own family's time too much to be taken advantage of due to someone else being late.

4. All drop offs must be between 8-9am, unless it is a pre-arranged late drop off. At 9:00 I lock the door and will not answer it even if you bang on it/ring the bell 10 times/call my phone 10 times/send 20 text messages/etc. The rules are the rules are the rules. There is a sign directly above the doorbell stating that if they arrive after 9:00 I will see their child again on their next scheduled day. A one hour drop off window is huuuuge compared to public schools. Some families I end up telling that they need to aim for 8:15-8:30 in case something goes wrong.

[Unregistered]

One thing I would say is not so much a change or new policy but that I adapted over time, but more of a tactic. When a child gets sick at the dc, instead of calling or texting the symptoms and allowing the parent to realize they need to come and pick up their child, I tell them, "Little Johnie has a temp of over 101 and needs to be excused from the dc for the day. Please pick him up in a hour."

I really don't have time for the whole back in and forth. If there is a symptom that meets the criteria under my illness policy, then they must go. THAT'S IT!

Oh and one more thing; When I do excuse someone I send them home with an Illness Exclusion Form that details my policy as well as what conditions and when they are allowed to return to the dc. If you would like a copy of the form, just send me a pm with your email. I would love to share it.

OP here. This is actually a strong point of mine, but I appreciate your willingness to share! I'm morenof a "Oh, you want to come early, stay late, switch days? Okay!" Type of person...