Staff Handbook: Table of Contents
Note: This is an extended list of possibilities. You need to review each and decide what is needed for your program. The * items should be included in all handbooks
- *Cover and contact information
- *Welcome and Introduction
- *Table of Contents
- *Administrative organization / Chain of Command
- *Right to modify
- *Non-discrimination / EOE
- *Mission / philosophy / goals
- *Terms of employment (faith based requirements, over 18, etc.)
- Employment classifications:
§ Full time hourly
§ Part time hourly
§ Substitutes
§ Seasonal
§ Volunteers
- Personnel file requirements:
§ Application with work history
§ Transcripts and certificates of education
§ Emergency contact information
§ Licensing paperwork items
§ Background check
§ References
§ Health information (physical & TB test)
§ Drug testing
§ Government items (I-9, W-4)
§ Specialty requirements:
· Drivers
· Cooks
§ Access to files
- *Probationary period / orientation (what it is, purpose,
expectations, length of time, become a regular employee)
- *Payroll policies:
§ Pay day and pay periods
§ Salary determined by experience, education and responsibility
§ Overtime
§ Time sheets/cards/computer system
§ Raises
§ Termination of employment: last pay day and severance
- *Benefits: (as applicable)
§ Distinguish between benefits for various classifications and state time table for eligibility
§ Vacation
§ Sick leave
§ Personal days
§ Reduced child care
§ Medical insurance
§ Dental insurance
§ Other insurances (life, accident, disability, vision, etc.)
§ Workman’s compensation
§ Jury duty
§ Educational reimbursement
§ Retirement
§ Bonuses
§ Leave of Absence – personal, family
- *Training:
§ *New employee orientation
§ *Licensing regulations
§ *Center requirements
§ Blood borne pathogens
§ First aid and CPR
§ Fire extinguisher usage
§ *Ongoing training
§ Individualized training plans
- *Work Attendance:
§ Work hours / flexibility
§ *After hour work (not working on own time)
§ *Overtime
§ *Punctuality / attendance expectations
§ Clocking in and out
§ *Procedure for requesting time off
§ *Illness of an employee
§ *Resignation procedure
§ *Holidays and closures
- *Communication:
o *Staff meetings
o *Grievance procedure
o Annual survey
o Suggestions and recommendations
- Staff Responsibilities:
o Job descriptions
o *Evaluations
§ *Training needs
§ *Staff discipline
o Licensing requirements
o Accreditation standards
o Children:
§ Supervising children
§ Interactions with children
§ Positive discipline and behavior guidance
§ *Reporting child abuse and neglect
§ *Health and safety
· Accidents
· Illness
· Infestations
· Daily health inspections
· Medication
· Ratios
· Meals and snacks
o Food preparation
· Naptime
· Facility safety
· Van safety
· Playground safety
· *Emergency evacuation procedures
· *Medical emergencies
· *First Aid kits
o **Program:
§ Expectations and / or program by age
and development
§ Daily schedule
§ Curriculum description
§ Lesson plans / planning and prep time
§ Observations, assessments, portfolios
§ Indoor environment
§ Outdoor classroom
§ Field trips / transportation
§ Television / computers
§ Program evaluation
o **Parents:
§ *Parent relations
· Role and influence of parent
§ *Communication (describe types including daily reports)
§ Open door policy
§ Orientation of new families
§ *Conferences
§ Participation
§ *Confidentiality
§ Child custody disputes
§ Grievance procedures for parents
· Suggestions, concerns, questions
§ Parent Education
o Facility
§ Opening procedures
· Arrival of children
§ Closing procedures
· Departure of children
§ Maintenance and care of building
§ Playground safety checks
§ *Chemicals
§ *Smoking / substance abuse
- Community relations
- Other policies:
o Greeting visitors
o Marketing
o *Dress code
o *Use of telephones (center and cell)
o *Personal items brought into center
o Outside food items
o Transportation and parking
o *Use of center materials
o *Conflict of interest
o Birthday parties
o *Sexual harassment
o Endorsements
- *Signed paper for acknowledgement of receipt
-
Those items listed with no * may not apply to your center, or may be included in a separate document.
**Many programs have a separate Employee manual that describes classroom and program expectations, child/adult interactions, and family relationships