News Contents Calendar Related Links State HRDC's Job Openings


• Home • News • Child Care Link • Domestic Abuse • Employment & Training • Energy Programs • Food Bank • Northern Montana Child Development Center • Mentoring • Housing • Related Links • Child Safety Seat Fitting Station •

horizontal rule

Initial Visits

For the initial interview, you’ll want to have all of the information about your program on hand, including your parent handbook, enrollment forms, brochures, etc. Plan for at least an hour of uninterrupted time to discuss:

bullet

Philosophy of your program

bullet

Group sizes, ages, and adult-to-child ratios

bullet

Program structure and curriculum

bullet

Education and training of provider and staff

bullet

Yearly schedule and calendar

bullet

Daily activities, materials, and equipment

bullet

Health and safety policies

bullet

Parental involvement

bullet

Contracts, payments, due dates, and late fees

bullet

Subsidy and financial aid information

bullet

Forms to be completed by parents

bullet

Meals and snacks provided

The second half of the interview is when you can show the parents around the program, taking them on a tour of each classroom or area, the outside play yard, toileting facilities, etc. If the child is present, have the child visit the class that she would be attending, introduce her to the teachers and other children, and have her try out an activity or two. Make sure that you conduct a thorough tour of the facility and answer any questions the parents may have along the way.

At the end of the visit, communicate the next steps to prospective families. Be clear about forms that need to be completed, deposits that are due (and whether the deposit is refundable), and any waiting list information you may have.

Enrollment

Once you have heard back from a family, and have accepted them into your program, you’ll want to begin the enrollment process. Be sure to go over all of the policies with them, and discuss issues, such as withdrawal from the program, illness, vacation, late payment and pick-up fees, etc. Specify items that must be brought from home, items that should not be brought in, and any other important policies.

Have the parents sign all of the appropriate enrollment forms, and give them any forms they need to have signed by their pediatrician or others. Give them a copy of the parent handbook and contract, and collect a deposit check from them at this time.

horizontal rule

For more Local, State, and National information, please visit our Related Links page.

horizontal rule

This page last updated on Monday, November 13, 2006
This site property of
District IV HRDC, 2229 5th Ave, Havre, MT 59501
Phone 406-265-6743 or 1-800-640-6743
Fax 406-265-1312
Office Hours are 8:00 am-5:00 pm Monday-Friday
© 2003
E-mail the webmaster