S-FE-01: Written Policies and Procedures

This measure relates to the parent handbook and any supporting documents the program provides. The handbook and supporting documents should include (but not limited to) written policies and procedures that describe the program’s:

  • Program philosophy and goal
  • Curriculum goals
  • Family participation
  • Drop-off and pickup procedures
  • Parent conferences
  • Fee structure
  • Late payments and refund information
  • Absences
  • Clothing guidelines
  • Inclement weather policy
  • Withdrawal from program procedure (in case of an event that causes the center to no longer be able to provide care for a child)
  • Physical activity
  • Screen time policies
  • Nutrition education and procedures
  • Breastfeeding policies and resources (programs that serve infants ages 0–17 months)
  • Procedure in place to allow parents to update contact information at all times without staff assistance

Policies should be reviewed annually and updated if necessary.

Category: Category 3: Program Administration Subcategory: Family Education

Examples

In this section you will find videos, images, and/or documents that can be used to better understand this measure. These examples can also be used in conversations between mentors, directors, and/or teachers to discuss how the program's current practices compare to these examples.

Challenging Behavior Policy
Challenging Behavior Policy
Example Document

This is an example of an early learning program’s written policy and process for addressing challenging behaviors of children. The exemplar includes evidence of the families being informed of their child’s progress, as well as the ongoing conversations between staff and the family framed around school readiness and the objective of the program.

Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
Family Handbook
Family Handbook
Example Document

The Texas Rising Star requirements related to Family Education and Involvement emphasize the importance of sharing policies and procedures of the early learning program with families. Upon enrollment, programs should provide written policies and procedures in a family handbook like this example.

Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age