That Staff Handbook……

There continues to be questions about the “Staff Handbook” required in the current Family Child Care Licensing Rule. The Professional Learning Committee has a variety of resources around staff available on this site. They can be found through the “Menu” under “Business Toolkit ” and “Licensing Rule (FCC)”.

Let’s start with the “Staff” part of the 3 checklists found in the “Licensing Rule (FCC)”. This list is the minimum required in the FCC Licensing Rule. For sole providers this can all be covered in your general Parent Handbook. You do not need a separate staff handbook that way. The purpose of the Staff Handbook is to be sure responsibilities are clearly stated for staff. The Staff Handbook does not need to be shared with your parents. For these with Staff you may also find you have this covered in your Parent Handbook. If so, copy it for your separate Staff Handbook.

Policies and implementation required:

i. Mandated reporting,

ii. Child guidance,

iii. Child illness,

iv. Fire drill procedures,

v. Emergency and disaster procedures,

vi. Staff Member qualifications and training,

vii. Supervision of Staff Members/interns

viii. Reporting licensing violations,

ix. Inclusionary practices for Children with disabilities,

x. Safe sleep policy,

xi. Serious injury and Child death reporting,

xii. Expulsion and suspension prevention,

xiii. Interpretation for English Language Learners,

xiv. Release of Children, and

xv. Transportation of Children (if applicable).

A personnel record must be kept for all Staff Members.

a. Name, current street and mailing address, birth date and current telephone number;

c. Dates of employment and termination of Staff Members. Reasons for termination must be kept in the personnel record for a minimum of one year;

d. A statement signed and dated by each Staff Member certifying that the most current licensing rule has been read and understood;

e. A statement signed and dated by each Staff Member, certifying that the Provider ‘s personnel policies, admission policies, and Parent handbook have been read and understood;

f. Documentation of any disciplinary action;

g.Documentation of completed background checks in the form of a Provider Letter of Eligibility, issued by the Department, that specifies the Staff Member is Eligible for employment.

The Provider must document all orientation and training of all Staff Members by proof of completion from a qualified on-line or in-person source.

Staff Members must be properly immunized and provide documentation of immunizations to the Provider.

Staff members must receive written instructions regarding Child Abuse or Neglect reporting that contains a summary of the State of Maine Child abuse reporting statute and a statement that they will not be discharged or disciplined solely because they have made a Child Abuse or Neglect report.

Immunization records must be maintained to ensure proper medical treatment is determined and given in the event of a disease outbreak or public health emergency.

On this website, the “Business Toolkit” is where you will find most of the resources you want for both parent and staff agreements. For parents go to the landing page to start. For staff go directly to the drop down menu.

The “Staff Contract/Handbook” contains just about everything a small family child care owner needs to support hiring, staff meetings, contractual language and complying with the FCC Licensing Rule for a Staff Handbook around program policies. Language samples runs from a simple 1 page policy awareness and signature to sections that cover everything in more detail. As each program is unique, you will have to do some clicking and scanning of the shared resources the PLC has gathered from a variety of providers to find what works best for you. Adjust to meet your specific needs.