How to write a home daycare parent handbook

A parent handbook puts your rules in writing before anyone needs them. When a family asks about a late pick-up or a sick day, you can point to the page they signed. It does not need to be long, and plain words work best.

The 14 sections

Answer each question in a few sentences, in your own words.

1. Welcome. Who are you, how long have you cared for children, and what does a day with you feel like?
2. Our program. What ages do you care for, how many children, and do you have a license or registration number to share?
3. Hours and closed days. When do you open and close, which holidays are you closed, and when do you take vacation?
4. Enrollment and starting. Which forms do you need before the first day, and do you offer a trial day?
5. Tuition and payments. What is the rate, when is it due, how can families pay, and what happens if a payment is late or a family leaves?
6. Drop-off and pick-up. What are the times, who may pick up a child, and what happens when someone is late?
7. A typical day. What is the rough schedule for meals, play, outdoor time and naps?
8. Meals and snacks. What do you serve, may families send food, and how do you handle allergies?
9. Naps and rest. Where do children sleep or rest, and what should families bring?
10. Illness and medicine. When must a child stay home, and how do you give and record medicine?
11. Accidents and emergencies. How will you reach parents, and what is your emergency plan?
12. Behavior and guidance. How do you encourage good behavior and redirect a child?
13. What to bring. Which clothes, diapers and comfort items should families pack and label?
14. Communication. How do you share each day with parents, and how can they reach you?

Tips while you write

Write the way you talk to parents at pick-up. Put numbers in, such as times, fees and how many days of notice. Check your state's child care licensing rules, because some states say what a handbook must include. Have a lawyer read anything about money or ending care if you are unsure; this page is a writing guide, not legal advice.

Get it signed

Give each family a copy before the first day, and keep a signed page in the child's file saying they have read it. When you change a policy, hand out the new page and get a new signature.

A printable outline

Our Home Daycare Forms pack includes a parent handbook outline with these 14 headings and a short question under each, plus a signature page, alongside the enrollment form, daily reports, incident report, sign-in sheet and medication log. 13 pages, US Letter and A4.

See also what forms a home daycare needs and the free enrollment form.