Your parent handbook is arguably the most important legal document your center produces. It sets the boundaries for everything from late payment fees to extreme behavior policies. Yet, many directors simply change the date on the cover every August and print a hundred new copies without ever reviewing the actual content.
State regulations shift constantly, especially regarding contagious illness exclusion policies and emergency evacuation procedures. If your handbook still references outdated health guidelines, you are setting yourself up for a massive conflict with an angry parent. Review your handbook annually against the latest state manual. More importantly, stop wasting money printing physical books. Send the updated handbook digitally and require parents to provide an electronic signature acknowledging they have read and accepted the updated policies. This creates an auditable paper trail that protects your center if a dispute ever arises.