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What makes a preschool classroom an efficient place for learning and growth? First of all, it should be a place where children feel safe and well cared for. Secondly, it should be a venue where the individuality of each child is given importance, and where they are given adequate attention, affection, and approval. Lastly, a preschool classroom should be able to assist children to attain the foundation they need for academic excellence. Young students have a lot of needs that a day-care centre needs to respond to, and these in include the following:

Preschoolers need teachers who are welcoming to children from all walks of life, other cultures and languages, and children with disabilities.
Preschoolers need teachers who are always willing to give their time and effort for activities that develop the psychological, emotional, and inter-personal skills of their students, whether these activities are done as an entire class, in small groups, or individually.
Preschoolers need a teacher who will help them develop their intellect, speech, and other skills

Effective preschool teachers and child care providers:

Are aware when they need to give more specific instructions to their students or when they are already capable enough to learn on their own

Promote participation of their students in classroom activities and discussions

Have open ears and hearts for the ideas and opinions of their students

Help their students expand their vocabulary by widening their knowledge

Are aware when to let their children explore and discover things by themselves, and when to supervise them more closely

Provide their students with activities that are challenging and purposeful

Promote teamwork among their students and help them in reconcile their differences

Teach their students to give importance to each others’ personal things, and even the time and effort they give to the class

Encourage free speech among the children in their class, and between the children and the adults around them

Can keep peace and harmony in the classroom, and teach children how to follow rules without impeding the learning process

Run the class in a manner that strengthens the teacher-student relationship and ensures that the time spent in the classroom is maximized

Developing Listening and Speaking Skills

In the past, children are not allowed to speak their minds or share their feelings. Now, most parents and teachers know that this is one belief that should be disregarded. Studies show that the development of a child’s reading and writing proficiency is greatly influenced by their ability to express their selves as well as their listening skills. Thus, it is vital for young children to be able to:

1.Maintain their focus and listen closely, whether it may be for their enjoyment or for absorbing information
2.Utilize spoken language for different functions
3.Perform simple instructions and provide them as well
4.Make simple queries and create their own response
5.Speak with proper volume and pace
6.Take part in discussions while maintaining courtesy and respect for the teacher and other students, and being able to stick to the topic
7.Express themselves verbally and non-verbally

On the other hand, preschool teachers should be able to:

Detect opportunities to ask open-ended questions and encourage their students to expound on their answers

Impart new vocabularies to their students which can be of relevance and use to them

Effectively answer questions and allow their students to initiate conversations

Help their students develop their speech and ability to interact

Below are pointers and suggestions for enhancing the listening and communication skills of young children:

Speak to your children as much as you can within the day

During story time, encourage children to give their views about the story itself or the characters in it, get them to guess the outcome of the story, or relate it to their everyday life

Engage children in games and activities that will enhance their listening skills and speech

Take advantage of everyday routines that can teach children to follow directions or give simple instructions on their own

See: How to start a daycare business

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I. The Parent’s Handbook

One of the most important things you have to have when you own or operate your day care is a parent handbook. This handbook will serve not only as a binding contract between you as the owner and the parents of the children enrolled in your daycare center but would also serve as the parents ultimate guide when it comes to your background, curricula, activities, rules and regulations and several other things they need to take note of.

As the owner of the daycare center, it is one of your responsibilities to have the parents of the children signs a form in which they acknowledge that they have received, read, and agree to abide by the principles outlined in the handbook.

Below is a list of possible items you may wish to include in your daycare center’s parent’s handbook. Remember this is only an example and is not meant to be exhaustive. You may wish to add, delete, or rearrange the list of subjects. Depending on the state you live in, you may be required to have different policies.

If unsure, first speak with a person from the agency which licenses your program and ask them what you should include in your handbook. As always, make sure any written forms or other materials in your day care center have been checked by a lawyer who can make sure they are legally sound and adhere to any applicable state or federal laws.

1. Name, address, and phone number of your day care center.
2. The day care business owner, director, and the names and contact details of managers or operations heads.
3. Hours/Days of operation
4. Days when the day care center is closed
5. Ages of children the day care accepts
6. Fees/Payment policies and payment procedures
7. Termination of child day care (what reasons does the day car center have for refusing to continue caring for children)
8. Philosophy of care (mission/vision))
9. the day care center code of discipline (dos and donts)
10. Items that cannot be brought in to your day care center/home
11. Items that are needed for the different age groups
12. Program summaries (brief description of your different classrooms/programs/age groups) – you may want to have a separate sheet or booklet for each parent as their child/children progresses from one classroom or age group.
13. Required forms needed before the child can begin attending your day care center
14. Table of contents and/or index

II. The Day Care Center Staff Handbook

A staff handbook for your day care business is as equally important as the parent handbook that you need to have when you start your own daycare center.

Most states require various daycare centers to provide both these two types of handbooks to ensure that business can and will run smoothly. These handbooks basically lays out the different rules and regulations to make your child care center run more smoothly.

When expectations and policies are laid out ahead of time, your day care center staff should know what to expect. Make sure though that the policies in your day care staff handbook adheres to all government regulations (such as hiring practices, etc.)

Again, it would be best to have a lawyer look over your day care employee handbook and make sure it is legally sound. It is also advisable to consult with the agency that licenses your child care center/home to see what policies they suggest you include.

Below is a list of items you may want to include in your day care center employee handbook:

1. Your Child Care Center name, address, and phone number.

2. Hours/Days of operation, holidays

3. Hiring procedures/policies
Aides must be at least 16 years of age
All other staff members must be at least 18 years of age

4. Orientation procedures/Required Forms/Employee Training
Once an individual has been hired, they must complete a twenty hour orientation in which they will be trained on the Center’s policies through written material, observation, and direct interaction with the staff, parents, and children. All new staff members must complete all forms provided to them before their first day of orientation.

5. Salary Guidelines/Performance Reviews/Benefits
Salaries are based on experience, education, job description, and performance.

6. Sick pay/vacation pay/holiday pay
All staff will receive five unpaid sick days. Staff will not receive any holiday pay. After the first 30 days, all staff members receive 5 paid vacation/personal days. After the first 6 months, all staff members will receive an additional ten vacation/personal days. Vacation days are paid based on the number of hours worked by an employee in an average week.

7. Attendance/Asking for time off/Calling in sick
Excellent staff attendance is crucial to maintaining these state-mandated ratios. Therefore, it is critical that staff do their part to inform the director or assistant director of any planned vacation or personal days they wish to receive off.

8. Causes for termination
You may be terminated for several reasons including, but not limited to, the following: providing inaccurate or false information during the hiring process or thereafter, threatening to harm or harming a child in any way, failing to provide children with appropriate supervision, habitual lateness, excessive use of sick days, failing to do something required by the state agency

9. Dress Code
Staff members are expected to act and dress like child care professionals. Clothing should be neat and fit properly.

10. Grievance Procedures
If you have a complaint, you should submit it in writing to the director. Your complaint will be addressed in 30 days or sooner.

11. Cell phones/Phone Use
The day care center’s phone is not for personal use. Cell phones should be left at home or in the car and may only be used on breaks.

12. Breaks
Staff working 6 or more hours will be given a thirty minute unpaid lunch break. For every four hours worked, staff will receive a paid 15 minute break.

13. Smoking
Smoking is not permitted inside the child care center

See: How to start a daycare business

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There are many things to consider once you have your home daycare service business off the ground. Operations and marketing is one thing however one should consider the human aspect of daycare service. There will be times when there would be disagreements or complaints from customer. There also possible accidents and liabilities that would need resolution. I have learned in the years of doing home daycare service that there should be a way to protect myself and my business from these liabilities.

There is a necessity to have a home daycare contract. This contract protects you and your business and allows coverage regarding arrangements on childcare. Drafting one can take time and sometimes be frustrating but in the end it can save you and your business.

So what should your contract have? You may want to list down certain things and if possible get legal advice from an attorney.

Your home daycare service can have the following:

OPERATING POLICIES:

• Operation Schedule
• Holiday Schedules
• Procedures for drop-off and pick-up
• Registration Fees
• Late Charges
• Payment Schedules
• Payment Methods
• Requirements for Admission
• Contract Termination Policies

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

• Disaster emergency procedures
• Closure in severe weather conditions or calamities
• Procedures on possible suspicion of child abuse or neglect
• Medical Emergencies
• Medication Procedures
• Policies on additional medical expenses that may arise

DAY TO DAY CHILDCARE

• Food Arrangement
• Nap Time
• Infant Provisions
• Field trips and outdoor activities
• Extended Care

These are just the basics of what should be included in your home daycare contract.

 You should explain in detail all necessary procedures and policies that your daycare service will provide. It should provide a clear cut detail on what you will be doing in specific cases and all your responsibilities. You should also indicate what the responsibilities of the parents, such as pick are up and drop off, medication and other relevant information needed for the care of their child.

 Having a comprehensive contract will ensure successful operations on your part. You should discuss with the parents their responsibilities and the scope of your job. Make sure that they understand completely your role and what specific services your daycare service provides. This will avoid any misunderstandings and wrong assumptions to the job that you are required to do. You do not want to be pointing fingers with the parents incase something goes wrong. You should sit down with the parents to explain everything in the contract.

 Be very elaborate on what your role will be in case of any emergencies. Be sure that they will give you all the necessary information that is needed in taking care of their child such as special instructions if the child has some medical conditions or if there are certain things that the child is not suppose to take. Any medical history relevant to childcare should be explained by the parents and if they do not do so, make sure you indicate that you will not be held liable.

 Your contact must also be clear on the expenses involved in the care of their child. Make sure that the due dates and rates of the services are well in order and documented so that each party is aware of their responsibilities. You do not want to be arguing that you did not specify what the due dates were and what additional expenses that was incurred. I cannot express enough the need to be as detailed as possible. Include details on your policy regarding any late fees, reservation fees and deposit procedures and rates to other things that need to be considered.

 You should also include the day to day and common procedures in your service. You can indicate what type of food, information and daily activities you plan to provide. You should note that as much as possible do not let the parents bring toys from home. Include the things that you are willing to do and what you will not be doing.

 Don’t assume anything. You should indicate if there is specific attire that you prefer kids to be wearing to help you with taking care of them. You should be thorough in discussing all these details. The contract is necessary since, yes you will be talking to parents about all this, some of them may forget that you have discussed it with them and having it down on paper can prove to be useful to remind them that everything you have discussed is right there.

 You can list down everything you feel necessary in your contract. Talk to parents and friends if you have no idea what else to include in your contract. You can also ask your lawyer to add to the list that you have already put down. They will have some experience on the usual troubles and complaints that happen between parents and daycare service. You contract can change dramatically over time however as much as possible have everything down before you even start.

 Have a draft of the contract always ready. When a parent inquires of your service you can discuss it with them and if they want anything added you will be able to modify your contract as needed. Be sure that any changes you make you allow your lawyer to have a look and the other party. You do not want to go into a binding agreement only to regret it in the end.

 Remember the primary goal of your contract is to protect your business. Take your time to think about all the aspects that’s involved in your service. Don’t be too hasty. Remember childcare can be a complicated task more difficult than putting up your business. There are a lot of unforeseen things that can happen and you may want to think out of the box and be prepared for anything and make sure you are covered by your contract.

 Finally be sure that the parents sign the contract before taking their child. Have all involved individuals sign so that the agreement can be finalized.

See: How to start a home daycare business

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