An established set of admission requirements creates a consistent procedure for the process. Admission of new students is streamlined, and the daycare center ensures that all paperwork is completed. A checklist of required forms eliminates the risk of forgetting any of the paperwork for the parents. Required forms for a daycare may include a profile of the child, an immunization record, a physical form from the doctor's office and permission forms for activities outside the center. Other requirements to consider include an interview with the parents and children or a visit in the classroom.
Payment policies are essential for a daycare center. Establishing payment policies ensures parents understand when payments are due, as well as the penalties for missing the deadlines. Payment policies cover due dates, methods of acceptable payment, late fees and procedures for discharging a child for nonpayment. The policy should also note that the rates are subject to change to prevent parents from arguing with rate increases.
Attendance policies pertain mainly to vacations, sick children and late pickups. An in-home daycare center must set procedures for personal vacation time. Policies outline whether or not the parents must pay while the provider is on vacation, as well as how these vacation periods are scheduled. It is also important to establish whether or not the families must pay if they take a vacation and their children are absent. Sick child policies dictate when a child must be kept at home and when it is safe for him to return. The typical length of time is at least 24 hours after a fever or vomiting ends. Late pick up policies establish the procedure and penalties for parents who do not pick up their children on time.
Discipline concerns often arise in daycare centers. Providing a copy of the center's discipline procedures prepares the parents for measures that may be used with their children. The policy should address common daycare behavioral problems, such as biting and hitting. It should also outline the procedure if a child continues to break the rules, including expulsion from the center.
A set curriculum and activity guideline ensures the children at the daycare center encounter a balanced schedule. The curriculum policy guides daycare teachers in planning activities while providing them with expectations for their teaching. The policy alerts parents to the type of activities their children will experience each day. The document should also outline procedures for field trips and other special activities for the daycare.