Families are provided with policies and procedures that are easy to read, sensitively written, and brief. Refer to resources for the Reporting and Monitoring section of this manual for additional guidance on developing or reviewing family handbooks. Features specific to GSRP must be included in handbooks: use of grant name, logo and ‘funded by’ language. GSRP providers must have written policies and procedures that include the following:
- Program overview including a curriculum, developmental screening, and ongoing child assessment information;
- Family engagement information, including formal family contacts, e.g., home visits and family conferences;
- An emphasis on the importance of partnership between families and teaching staff for child development (in school and at home);
- Opportunities for decision-making activities within the local advisory structure and opportunities to serve on other bodies;
- Child recruitment plan that includes procedures for enrollment and placement. Children must not be denied enrollment or excluded from GSRP programming based on challenging behavior, developmental delays or identified disabilities (e.g., toileting needs, speech, motor function, aggressive behaviors, and cognitive delays);
- Referral policy to meet child and family needs, including follow-up procedures;
- Confidentiality policy;
- School calendar including early release, non-instructional days, etc;
- Attendance policy;
- Non-expulsion policy, indicating children must not be excluded, suspended, or expelled from classroom programming or transportation services for behavioral, toileting, or other non-health related needs. Programs should reach out to the ISD for information on mental health supports for children and follow the process set by the ISD to obtain help. (See also the Seclusion and Restraint subsection below);
- Weather policy with provisions for temperature (wind chill/heat index) and air quality;
- Rest time policy (applies to GSRP/Head Start Blend and 4-day school-day programs);
- Health policies and practices on physical activity and nutrition for children;
- Policy for reporting child abuse/neglect;
- Grievance policy that clearly describes the steps to be taken when a family has concerns or a grievance; and
- Passive consent notice of program evaluation. See the Program Evaluation section of this manual for sample language.
Refer to Childcare Licensing for additional policies including, but not limited to the following:
- Philosophy statement;
- Daily classroom routine that includes what adults and children do during the day. (See resources for this section for sample daily classroom routines);
- Meal(s) and snack policy
- Medication policy
- Accident and emergency policies, including how parents/guardians are notified of emergency events;
- Illness or injury exclusion policy written to describe procedures for management of short-term injury or contagious illness that endangers the health and/or safety of children or others; and
- Child discipline/conflict resolution policy.
