Dear Family,

As someone who know what it is like to be a working parent, I understand the stress related to choosing and using a daycare provider in an extremely personal way. I feel that my personal experiences allow me insight into your daily needs as a client. I run my business from my home because Family Child Care is an incredibly personal and emotional occupation – and I love this aspect of it! It allows me to get closer to my children and cater to my families’ needs and desires.

Thank you for choosing Aunt Shannon’s Daycare. I look forward to providing your child with a caring and enriching environment, and welcoming them into my family!

Sincerely,

Shannon

About Me

Next, write an “About Me” section.  Write the same way you would talk to a parent – it doesn’t have to be formal and third person.  Some things you can include here:

• Mission statement
• Hours
• Fees
• Certification
• Qualifications
• Closed Days
• Daily Schedule

Make each of these topics a heading with a short paragraph explaining underneath.

Communication and Working Together

Write up a paragraph explaining how you will communicate with your daycare parents and include them in your program.  For example:

• Text Messages
• Daily Notes Home
• Bulletin Boards
• Facebook Group
• Participation in daycare activities and events

Read more about communicating with daycare parents here.

Learning at Daycare

Write at least one paragraph here explaining how you will teach your daycare kids.  Will you make lesson plans for a preschool program?  Will you teach non-formally through daily interactions with your kids?  Did you purchase a curriculum to use?  Let the parents know what to expect from you.

Discipline

What is your behavior policy?  Put a plan in place for kids whose behavior gets out of hand and stick to it.  Write your specific course of action, such as time out, talking to mom and dad about it, and how many instances could lead to immediate termination.

Fees

Write down everything you can think of here that you’ll need to cover your butt financially.  If you have a policy about minimum days a week, late payment fees, late pick up fees, etc. put it all here.

Read more about which specific policies you need here.

Meals

Are you providing meals or are parents required to pack them?  If you’re providing meals, what times are they and what are you serving?

Read here to find out why I suggest providing meals for your daycare kids.

Personal Belongings

What items are parents required to send?  Spare clothes or items for nap time?  Where will these things be kept?  What things are not allowed to be sent?  Are toys and food from home okay?  Explain it all here.

Health

Your state probably requires a health certification and copies of immunizations.  You probably want a policy that doesn’t allow sick kids or kids with lice to remain in care.  Spell it all out for the parents here so they know what to expect.

Emergencies

Parents should always receive a copy of your emergency plan.  Your local municipality or state education program may be able to help you with this.

Additional Info

I have a final section in my handbook where I disclose to parent that we have weapons in our home.  As per state regulation, these are kept in locked storage, separate from the ammunition.

I also let parents know here that I am a Christian, and that I teach the Bible and pray before meals in my daycare.