What Are Your Strict Policies?

[Blackcat31]

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.

I refuse to give information that is readily available for free.

IF they can't find the answer to their questions in the handbook, THEN come to me and I'll answer happily but I didn't write a handbook that literally addresses everything just so parents can ask/text/e-mail me for the same info.

I also e-mail a .pdf copy of my handbook to parents so if they have a smart phone, they have access to it ANY time.

[Cat Herder]

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?)

:::: I get it. No need to justify. I am a big dog person :hug:

My attack peace lily. Now that is liability right there... I keep her penned up in the neighbors yard during daycare hours.

[Unregistered]

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.

Mine is 32. I feel like my handbook is well written, and dcf's always leave with the, "Holy moly, did we just sign our life away" scared look on their faces, but - and this is all my fault - I've been way too nice. Let people come early, stay late, switch days, never upped rates. Almost all of my families pay different rates, depending on when they started. Two of them almost pay $10 less per day, because they have been with me since I opened. My rateshave gone up dramatically...

[Unregistered]

:::: I get it. No need to justify. I am a big dog person :hug:

My attack peace lily. Now that is liability right there... I keep her penned up in the neighbors yard during daycare hours.

OP Here. Yeah, I'm a little ticked still over the whole thing. I almost shut the daycare down over it (ain't nobody gonna tell me what to do...), but instead I decided to keep the daycare open, treat it like the business it is, and be in it for the money! No more freebies.

Mostly I'm ticked about the way it was handled. You know, calling everyone behind my back. If dcm had come to me and discussed thing's openly, I may have justdone it anyway. And not have had to term her for causing a ruckus. I had to give up 2 evenings to meet with dcf's after hours to talk about this crapola. To talk about my dogs. Grrrr...

Yup, still ticked.

[Unregistered]

:::: I get it. No need to justify. I am a big dog person :hug:

My attack peace lily. Now that is liability right there... I keep her penned up in the neighbors yard during daycare hours.

I can't see your pic because I'm not registered. What breed?

[Cat Herder]

I can't see your pic because I'm not registered. What breed?

Flora. :::: A literal peace lily plant.

[Unregistered]

Flora. :::: A literal peace lily plant.

Hahahahahaha!!!!

[Blackcat31]

Mine is 32. I feel like my handbook is well written, and dcf's always leave with the, "Holy moly, did we just sign our life away" scared look on their faces, but - and this is all my fault - I've been way too nice. Let people come early, stay late, switch days, never upped rates. Almost all of my families pay different rates, depending on when they started. Two of them almost pay $10 less per day, because they have been with me since I opened. My rateshave gone up dramatically...

I charge according to SCHEDULED pick up time.
My old base weekly rate is what I charge for my earliest pick up time. I add fees for each hour after.

I now work LESS days/hours but I make MORE money.

If you are interested in seeing my handbook, just let me know.

[Blackcat31]

I can't see your pic because I'm not registered. What breed?

I posted her photo directly into her post.

You should be able to see it now

[AmyKidsCo]

I refuse to give information that is readily available for free.

IF they can't find the answer to their questions in the handbook, THEN come to me and I'll answer happily but I didn't write a handbook that literally addresses everything just so parents can ask/text/e-mail me for the same info.

I also e-mail a .pdf copy of my handbook to parents so if they have a smart phone, they have access to it ANY time.

I email my parents a pdf of my handbook too. Every September.

:::: I get it. No need to justify. I am a big dog person :hug:

My attack peace lily. Now that is liability right there... I keep her penned up in the neighbors yard during daycare hours.

::::

My hubby got a peace lily on the last day of school. It lives on top of our TV cabinet until it can go to school in the fall.

[LittleScholars]

I refuse to give information that is readily available for free.

IF they can't find the answer to their questions in the handbook, THEN come to me and I'll answer happily but I didn't write a handbook that literally addresses everything just so parents can ask/text/e-mail me for the same info.

I also e-mail a .pdf copy of my handbook to parents so if they have a smart phone, they have access to it ANY time.

That's really smart. I run into this ALL OF THE TIME. I emailed it and it is always on my website. Do you just refer them to the handbook when questions come up that are in there. Mine is also super, super detailed, I'm just one of the few that know the details in there .

[NillaWafers]

I'd like to think that if I took the time to write a 30 page handbook, then ALL my policies are non-negotiable

The only ones I've really had to enforce are my illness policy, and late fees.

[Blackcat31]

That's really smart. I run into this ALL OF THE TIME. I emailed it and it is always on my website. Do you just refer them to the handbook when questions come up that are in there. Mine is also super, super detailed, I'm just one of the few that know the details in there .

Yep. When they ask a question I reply "What does your handbook say about it?" Most come back with "Oh, I don't know...I haven't looked yet" or "I don't know, I thought it would be easier if I just asked"

To which I reply..."I'd prefer you referenced your handbook since the information is readily available there and if you can't find the answer or you need more information, let me know and I'll be happy to help at that point."

Then I smile big....and enjoy the awkward silence.

I totally understand and am aware that since I have a large handbook that not all parents are going to remember everything written in it, especially when things don't apply to them at the time they receive it but I spent an extraordinary amount of time writing, re-writing and editing my handbook and then organizing it into easy to read color coded chapters/sections that the information really is easy to find. I also know from experience the more we reference something the more we learn and remember so I WANT parents to read and re-read as many times as necessary.

[LittleScholars]

Yep. When they ask a question I reply "What does your handbook say about it?" Most come back with "Oh, I don't know...I haven't looked yet" or "I don't know, I thought it would be easier if I just asked"

To which I reply..."I'd prefer you referenced your handbook since the information is readily available there and if you can't find the answer or you need more information, let me know and I'll be happy to help at that point."

Then I smile big....and enjoy the awkward silence.

I totally understand and am aware that since I have a large handbook that not all parents are going to remember everything written in it, especially when things don't apply to them at the time they receive it but I spent an extraordinary amount of time writing, re-writing and editing my handbook and then organizing it into easy to read color coded chapters/sections that the information really is easy to find. I also know from experience the more we reference something the more we learn and remember so I WANT parents to read and re-read as many times as necessary.

This is great. I need to remind them the policies already exist and that they can find them on their own. Thank you!

[Unregistered]

I charge according to SCHEDULED pick up time.
My old base weekly rate is what I charge for my earliest pick up time. I add fees for each hour after.

I now work LESS days/hours but I make MORE money.

If you are interested in seeing my handbook, just let me know.

can you please email me your handbook? hollycooper23@hotmail.com