Consult specific state and/or local area requirements for your geographic location. This information can typically be found through the state or a local licensing agency. For some states this may be the department of education, while other states go through the department of public welfare.
Make a list of categories that are important to the functioning of your infant-toddler program. This may include general areas such as health, safety, fire, program costs and attendance or more specific titles such as immunizations, health records, sleeping, feeding, diapering and hours of operation.
Start your manual with a brief introduction, explaining the importance of the manual, policies and procedures. Direct this to a variety of audiences that range from the program staff to parents of the participating infants and toddlers. Be specific and link your program's goals/mission to the reasoning behind the policies. For example, fire drill or hand washing procedures may be of particular interest to staff while weather or illness policies may relate better to parents. Include any state or local standards or licensing requirements that are applicable.
Write specific policies or procedures for each area, for example for safety, health and immunizations. Make the individual area topic headings in bold or underline. Number the policies and procedures in order of importance. Write the policies and procedures in easy to understand English, fleshing out descriptions. For example, immunization policies should include any state or local health board requirements, related requirements for your particular program, the names of the immunizations that the infants-toddlers must have, ages for immunizations, ways to record or report immunizations such as a doctor's note and possibly an immunization form or record.
Type up the manual using a word processing program. Start with a title page or cover that has your infant-toddler program's name, address and phone number. If specific policies are state or local regulations, include the appropriate governing agency and related contact information.
Incorporate policies and procedures in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA Part C. IDEA Part C includes federal laws governing early intervention and other services for very young children. Your manual may include definitions of disabilities, services that your program provides, federal regulations, early intervention staff qualifications and screening measures.
Forward a draft of your manual to an attorney for his review. A lawyer, skilled in state child care rules and regulations, will ensure that your manual is compliant. Update the manual to incorporate changes outlined by your attorney, returning it to him for final approval.