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Parent Handbook Critique
Courtney Goins
School of Education, Liberty University
Parent Handbook Critique
Morning Star Childcare is a childcare center located in Dexter, Michigan. This childcare center
serves children that range in age from 6 weeks to 12 years old. They have an online parent handbook
that includes important information for parents that have enrolled their children at the center including
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their mission statement, philosophy, cultural competence and accountability, enrollment, tuition, fees,
security, holidays, clothing, meals, health and wellness, conflicts, pandemics, routines, and changes in
policies notices. They updated their policy handbook in June 2023 to bring current with new information
that needed to be included for parents.
Mission Statement, Philosophy, and Cultural Competence and Accountability
The first thing that Morning Star Childcare includes in their parent handbook is their mission
statement, philosophy of education, and their statement of cultural competence and accountability.
According to NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct all three of these statements are important as they address
the strengths of families, support them in raising and nurturing their children, and respect their cultures
and values (National association for the education of young children, NAEYC, 2011). Each of these
statements that Morning Star Childcare has included in their handbook outline the importance of
children, families, and education. This allows parents to make informed decisions that the values and
philosophies of the center align with the values that want instilled in their children.
Enrollment, Tuition, and Fees
The next section in Morning Star’s family handbook covers enrollment, tuition, and fees for all
children that are aged 6 weeks to 12 years old. This section includes all documents that must be
completed for the child to enroll, tuition schedules for both younger children and school age children,
and fees that are charged to the parents because of processing fees or late payment fees. There
handbook also includes a section on trading scheduled days of attendance for children who do not
attend full-time, withdrawal and dismissal policies, and how to log on to the secure online tuition site to
be able to pay tuition online. All these policies explain to parents exactly how they will be charged, what
will happen if the fees are not paid on time and gives parents an online way to pay all fees and tuition
that are due. According to Eva Nagel with Early Learning Ventures (2022), including this information in
the parent handbook allows parents and families to feel confident in the center by understanding the
rules and policies of the childcare center.
Communication, Confidentiality, and Security
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The next sections in Morning Star’s handbook are information on parent/teacher
communication, confidentiality, and security for the children and building. Each of these policies are
important to the safety and well-being of the children, families, and staff in the building. According the
NAEYC (2011) childcare centers need written policies for the protection and confidentiality of children
and to respect the privacy of everyone involved in the care of children. Morning Star Childcare also
includes a section on building security and access and custody orders. These sections allow parents to
feel safe knowing that access is limited to who can access the building and that the center will follow all
court and legal custody orders as outlined by the family court system. Morning star also includes a policy
that addresses child abuse and neglect and how it will addresses according to state law.
Holidays, Closings, and Weather
The next policies outline holiday schedules, in-service days, and weather-related closings. Each of
these policies allows parents to understand what days that the center will be closed and what
procedures will be followed if the center needs to close unexpectedly or what procedures will be
followed in the event of a tornado or other natural disaster. Eva Nagel (2022) states that this policy not
only keeps parents informed about what will happen in an emergency but will reduce the liability on the
childcare center.
Treasures, Clothing, Boundaries, and Possessions
Morning Star also includes policies on bringing treasured items and possessions with them to
school, what type of clothing to wear, and how children’s bodies and boundaries will be respected. These
policies allow parents and children to understand what they can bring with them regarding special items,
what clothing is appropriate to wear, and how their child will be respected in terms of speaking about
their body parts, boundaries, and the parts of their bodies that are private and need to be respected.
These policies align with NAEYC (2011) policies on ethical responsibilities to children that respect their
dignity as well as their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Field Trips, Photographs, and Celebrations
The next policies that Morning Star addresses field trips, birthday celebrations, and photographs
and publicity. Morning Star discusses how field trips will be addressed and taken in their policy handbook
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and the importance of these trips. They also address birthday celebrations including sending in birthday
treats and birthday invites, which includes what to do if only certain individuals are invited to a birthday
party. Morning Star also addresses photographs that are taken of children in the center and how those
photographs will be used for the center. The center also lets parents know how they can access pictures
taken throughout the day of their child. These policies are important for parents to know and understand
so that they know to expectations for their child for special events at the school (Nagel,
20).
Meals
The next part of the handbook discusses meals, snacks, and food allergies. These policies are
important to a childcare center as they will address state and federal regulations on food safety and how
any allergies will be addressed. According to Click et al. (2014) “all policies should be based on important
standards that will keep the program operating in a safe and healthy manner” (p.4-5).
Health and Wellness
Morning Star Childcare’s next policies address immunizations, sickness, and medication. These
policies outline what immunizations that each child would be required to have to be able enroll in the
center as well as the requirement of a physical by a medical professional for the child. The wellness
policy outlines how each illness will be handled and when the child can return to school in the event of
the illness. This policy is important as it shows parents exactly what is required if their child is ill. The
parent will have the handbook in advance and will know that they must find other care for their child
(Click et al., 2014). The next part of their health and wellness policies addresses medication including
when and what medication will be given and what the parents must do for their child to be given
medication. Injuries and accidents are also addressed in the health and wellness section which includes
how parents will be notified and what will happen in the event of a major medical emergency or
accident. This allows parents to understand what to do and what will happen in an emergency (Nagel,
2022). Pandemics are a new addition to the Morning Star Child Care family handbook. This update came
with the June 2023 update to address any pandemic situations and what the response would be
including following directions put out by the center for disease control and the department of health.
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Conflicts, Gatherings, Happenings, and Routines
The next policies address what will happen in the event of conflicts between families or families
and staff members, gathers for families, events, and daily routines. NAEYC (2011) discuss in their Code of
Ethical Conduct how it is important for centers to work with families and staff members to resolve
conflicts and help all parties not just advocate for one party. Nagel (2022) also tells us that policies need
to be included to inform parents of events and happenings in the center as well as daily schedules and
routines so that the parent understands what is going on with their child and how to be included.
Licensing and Changes in Policies
The last thing addressed in the family handbook are the licensing for the center and how
changes in policies will be handled. Licensing is important for families to understand so that they know
that the center is update on all federal and state regulations. Parents also need to be aware that policies
can change at the discretion of the director to meet best practices for the children and staff (Click et al.,
2014).
Policies that are not Addressed
The one policy that is not addressed in Morning Star Childcare’s policy handbook is a code of
conduct or discipline procedures. These policies are important as the allow parents to understand the
rules that their child will be required to follow and help maintain the safety, security, and productivity of
the center environment (Nagel, 2022).
Conclusion
Overall, Morning Star Childcare has a family policy handbook that includes most all aspects
needed regarding policies and procedures to make sure that the center runs smoothly, safely, and with
the best interest of all children, families, and staff in mind. A few minor adjustments to include a
discipline policy and a code of conduct will allow Morning Star Childcare to have everything needed
included in their handbook.
References
Click, P., Karkos, K. A., & Robertson, C. (2014). Administration of programs for young children. Cengage
Learning.
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Morning Star Childcare. (2023, June). Parent handbook - morning star childcare. Morning Star Childcare.
http://www.morningstarchildcare.net/content/pdf/ParentHandbook.pdf
Nagel, E. (2022, September 19). What to include in your childcare parent handbook. Early Learning
Ventures. https://www.earlylearningventures.org/what-to-include-in-your-child-care-
parenthandbook/
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2011, May). Code of Ethical Conduct and
Statement of Commitment. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globally-shared/downloads/PDFs/resources/
positionstatements/Ethics%20Position%20Statement2011_09202013update.pdf
