When seeking a childcare facility to which to entrust their children, families do extensive research to find a location that works best for them. Parents can use the handbook of a childcare facility to learn about the procedures and expectations of the facility to assist them in selecting the best placement for their children.

Imagine you plan to open a childcare facility and need to compile important information into a handbook. Create a 3-4 page handbook informing prospective families on the essential aspects of your facility.

Include the following topics and information in your handbook: 

School Philosophy, Mission, and Vision 

Concise statements on your school’s philosophy, mission, and vision.

Readiness for Learning

Explanation of how you plan to collect developmental data (cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional, and/or physical) and evaluate each child’s readiness for learning.

Description of how you plan to collect data (e.g., family questionnaire) on each child's abilities, interests, and cultural and linguistic factors and how teachers and staff will collaborate to select, develop, and adapt learning experiences using the data. 

Guidelines/Standards

Note the guidelines/standards your facility will follow to guide instruction for students in one age group (0-6 months, 7-11 months, 1 year-olds, 2-year-olds, or 3- and 4-year-olds). Include how the guidelines/standards would ensure developmentally appropriate instruction and interactions that consider each child's unique and varied characteristics, including development, strengths, abilities, challenges, and capacity to make choices. Note what professional development opportunities you will provide for your staff. 

Safety Policies

Description of safety policies regarding: (1) daily schedule (e.g., pick-up and drop-off processes, monitoring attendance, lunch/snacks, playground safety, and naps), (2) safe use of technology, (3) discipline/behavior issues, and (4) fire safety and evacuation. Explain how faculty and staff will share information regarding safety with families (e.g., app for communication, cameras in the facility) You may refer to the "Safety Considerations" template you completed in Topic 4. 

Play 

Description of how play will be utilized as a core teaching practice and a foundational learning strategy designed to support and respond to the unique learning trajectories and support the development of executive function skills critical for young children. 

Nutrition

Guidelines for meals/snacks for one age group (0-6 months, 7-11 months, 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, or 3- and 4-year-olds). You may refer to your research on nutritional practices in Topic 5.

Health Policies

Description of health policies regarding: (1) illness, (2) screenings, (3) immunization information, (4) allergies, and (5) medication.

Family/Community Involvement

Requirements for family or community involvement (e.g., volunteer requirements, parents or community members sharing special talents) to develop positive, caring, supportive relationships and interactions that promote the learning and development of young children. 

Support your handbook with 2-3 scholarly resources.