Policies Changes

[Alwaysgreener]

Due to recent events, I am looking to change or add policies.
1. Clothing policy with more detail on what not to wear. (Jumpers, dress boots... )
2. Make a pick and get out of my house by contract time/ closing time policy --- not show up at 5:29
3. Day care spending policy and signing documentation for it. Like limiting when they can ask for me to do this. - or maybe a paperwork fee like my doctor's office does, certain paperwork gets charged a fee for completing
Any advice on any of these policies would be helpful.

[GirlMomma]

1) ABC Childcare Dress code: When your infant is enrolled in group care, comfortable, easy on/off clothing is required. Potty trained toddlers should wear clothing they can easily manage themselves without the providers help or supervision. Dresses without shorts, jeans, overalls/bibs, rompers, dress shoes, lace up shoes and open toed shoes are not permitted.

2) Please have a back-up plan to make sure your child is signed out and off of the premises at 5:30. You will be invoiced at $1/min if you are still on the premises at 5:30 or later. Repeat offenders may be terminated.

3) Any forms you request to be filled out or printed will require a $xx fee per page.

[Alwaysgreener]

GirlMomma Thank you for your help

[Blackcat31]

Due to recent events, I am looking to change or add policies.
1. Clothing policy with more detail on what not to wear. (Jumpers, dress boots... )
2. Make a pick and get out of my house by contract time/ closing time policy --- not show up at 5:29
3. Day care spending policy and signing documentation for it. Like limiting when they can ask for me to do this. - or maybe a paperwork fee like my doctor's office does, certain paperwork gets charged a fee for completing
Any advice on any of these policies would be helpful.

My policies state:

#1 Please send your child in clothing that easily managed. Changing diapers and assisting with bathroom use can be time consuming when clothing is difficult. Clothing for children that are potty training or already trained must be easy enough that your child can manage independently. For infants and toddlers still in diapers, pants that can easily pull on/off are best. Any clothing item that has snap or button legs is not permitted. Onsie's or snap crotch undershirts are fine.

#2 ABC Child Care closes AT 5:00. This means you need to have your child signed out, dressed and in the car NO LATER than 4:59. Any parent still on the daycare property at 5:00 will be assessed a late pick up fee.

#3 I don't have a policy for this as I don't have any parents bring me forms to fill out or sign so I am unfamiliar with any of that.

Perhaps, you could set aside a specific day of the month that parents need to drop off forms and then designate a day for them to pick them back up.
Drop off last Monday of month and pick up the last day of month,

[Alwaysgreener]

Blackcat31 Thanks for your help

so my issue is that I recently had a family, that are no longer with me, that one day at pick up Dad asked me to sign the form. Okay I did it but then it would be a regular occurrence, couple times a week and on random days but always at pickup.

Per contract he was picking up at the end of nap, so I would wake his child first change her and then meet him at the door. Then go back and wake or let up the rest of the kids but he kept me at the door, either talking/asking questions or remembering that he needed the form signed. If they hadn't left I was going to tell him that I could only sign on Tuesdays or something.

My only other time dealing with this, the would ask for a end of year record in the fall. Which I didn't have an issue with because I could print it and have them sign a copy.


So what about this...

Paperwork
When families need paperwork signed by the provider for things such as but not limited to taxes, child care spending account, or CDC, families must schedule a time to drop off paperwork. Paperwork will be returned to families the next business day. Any paperwork that must be mailed or returned earlier will be subject to fees.

Paperwork must be completed by family and not missing any pages or it will not be signed. Any new paperwork that is bought without authorization may not be signed or may take longer to be returned.

Child Care reserves the right to maintain a copy of all paperwork signed or unsigned by provider.

Staff members do not have authorization to sign any paperwork.

Provider reserves the right to refuse to sign any paperwork, for any reason.

[Blackcat31]

I think that sounds perfect as I would hate to be put on the spot and asked to sign something I have not read or am not familiar with.

[Cat Herder]

Why not just require them to send all documents in PDF format? You can fill and digitally sign them at your leisure. That's how I manage all enrollment forms and documentation, now. Simple.

[Cat Herder]

And no more worries about illegible forms.

[Alwaysgreener]

Not a bad idea to add electronic paperwork as an option. However state rules say that I have to provide Internet access to any client that request it if I require everything to be done electronically. That may include handing over my lap top too. That would be a no go for me, so I won't require paperless but I will add electronic as an option.

The ironic part is the state now does all their paperwork electronically but not all day care providers have internet. I know one in my area that has been in business for almost 30 years, the internet nor computers are her friend.

[Alwaysgreener]

So I added policies and reworded some policies.

New policies

• Paperwork
• Taking temp daily
• Clothing (no clothes with more than 3 snaps)
• Language
• Toys and gun play

State required, If I practice it then it must be added

• Medical plan
• Developmental screening
• Curriculum
• Daily Connect
• Toothbrushing
• Volunteers

This just updated the words

• Provider term
• Clean and disinfect
• Communication
• Arrivals and departures

[Momboss]

I have yet to figure out how to make #2 not seem so cold. Like yeah you got here before 5 (4:59) but then you take so much time having your child say goodbye to me or saying some random thing to me that its now 5:03. Then for some reason you take forever getting your child in the carseat. Am i the only one who like throws their kid in the car seat and buckles them in in less than 30 seconds? Lol.

[Momboss]

Ive also watched parents take their kids out of cars and it takes them forever. What are they doing? Ive never been able to figure it out.

[Blackcat31]

Blame it on insurance. Tell them insurance requires that no client be physically on the property after your closing time no matter what time they sign out.

[Alwaysgreener]

Momboss

I understand that BC wants to get home and that's why she rides it that way, I have a hard time with requiring them to be off the property. Anytime at any store and I'm still in the parking lot after close I don't get charged any inconvenience fee by the employee so it's just can't wrap my hand around that one. Anyways this is what I wrote


LATE DEPARTURE FEES

If a child is picked up later than the contracted time, a late fee of $1 for every 1 minute, beyond the contracted departure time will be charged.

This late fee applies to picking up late on a schedule close early day.

Fees apply to any time used outside your contracted hours. For example, if you schedule departure at 4:00 but do not exit the child care until 4:01, the appropriate late fee will apply.

This fee is due or late payment fees apply.

EARLY SCHEDULED DEPARTURE

If a parent says that they will be picking up their child early, this will be considered your temporary contracted departure time and a late fee of $2 for every 1 minute beyond the temporary contracted departure time will be charged.

The Child Care will have your child ready to go home and waiting for you at your new temporary contracted departure time. Your child will be excited to see you when you arrive, so please be prompt.

EARLY ARRIVAL FEES

If an earlier arrival time is needed, please contact the provider in advance to ensure availability. Only approved early arrival will be allowed, early arrival fee maybe charged.

Early arrival is considered anyone knocking on the door before their contact time.

[GirlMomma]

Using this, thank you!

[Blackcat31]

Momboss

I understand that BC wants to get home and that's why she rides it that way, I have a hard time with requiring them to be off the property. Anytime at any store and I'm still in the parking lot after close I don't get charged any inconvenience fee by the employee so it's just can't wrap my hand around that one. Anyways this is what I wrote

I absolutely want to leave work when I am done, lol! However, that isn't the reason I require them to be off my property. The reason I do is mostly due to insurance because I am responsible for anything that happens to anyone on my property and we all know how well some of our clients "supervise" their children so I don't want that added responsibility. I would assume it's the same for stores. Once they close no one (other than those employees on the clock) really have any business being on the business's property kwim? I know of several stores here in my community that have signs stating such.

Also, WHY...why does a parent need to take more than 5 minutes or so to get their child in the car and leave? Why hang around in my driveway? Unless they have a very valid reason, there is no reason in my eyes as to why anyone needs to be physically on my property after my closing time. Even if I was still inside doing whatever....

[Momboss]

For me its the long goodbyes. If the parent gets here at 4:59 and im done dealing with them by 5, then its fine. I want to just open my door, scoot the child out, tell them they can go to mom (who is walking up the driveway) and close the door. I dont want to wait from the parent to walk to the door then pass the child, have to say goodbye and watch the parent ask the child if they had a good day in front of me as if they want me to answer the question. Know what i mean? If i could open the door and say Bye Sarah see you tomorrow! And close the door, that would be great. But it seems so rude to not greet the parent or say anything to the parent. Maybe im over thinking this. Its just aggravating that the parent who gets here at 5pm on the dot is the parent who is at home just down the street. I find it rude and disrespectful that shes not here at 4:55 at least.

[Blackcat31]

Momboss Yes, I can see how that is aggravating for sure! Maybe adjust your closing time to reflect that. State to that parent that you would like to be closed (door locked, kids/parents gone from your house BY 5:00) so she will need to begin picking up at 4:45. Maybe tell her you've been tracking how long it takes parents to drop off/pick up and have adjusted your closing time to reflect that so if she arrives by 4:45 you can close your door and be CLOSED at 5:00 sharp. If she chooses to show up after 4:45 tell her that you will pass her child out through the door and close it behind them. If she has any questions etc, she'll need to contact you via email. If she wants to come in, she MUST arrive at 4:45 or the option to enter you home is no longer an option. If that is something that would work, let me know and I can help you write out out so if sounds better than "get your kid and go!"

[GirlMomma]

Momboss this seems rude… but I’ve started going to the door when the parent is still walking up my driveway. The child is ready to go so I open the door and guide the child to the parent with the door open. Because of my dog and other kids, I have to shut the screen door immediately.

I have enforced maximum attendance hours. I only give working parents 9 hours of childcare/day and parents on FMLA/in-between jobs 6 hours/day. Since doing this, my day is usually over before 4:45 instead of 5:29.