Three Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Your Operational Manuals

Policy handbooks and procedures are the most powerful tools in your childcare business. Handbooks are powerful because they cause you to think out and write out in detail how your childcare program will operate.

Most childcare business-operations manuals contain information on what to do and how to do it.

There are several handbooks that make up an operational manual, such as parent handbooks, staff handbooks and program-administration handbooks.

Are you completely satisfied with the way your program operates? If not, the first place to make changes is with your operational manuals. They will act as a tour guide when making decisions.

Here are the three mistakes you should avoid when creating your operational manuals.

1. Be wise when using other daycare manuals or when purchasing premade manuals. So many childcare business owners make this mistake and try to duplicate a policy that doesn’t line up with their mission.
2. Be sure to write out policies and procedures that are measurable for accountability. Don’t create policies that you cannot see in operations or that you will not follow yourself. Create policies that both you and your staff are required to follow.
3. Updating your policy and procedures manuals is a must. If you have not done so within 12 months, you run the chance of operational duties not being followed in your program.

Do You Need Help With Your Handbooks? Contact me @ [contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Send Me Your Handbook Request’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]