Regular policy and procedure reviews are necessary to maintain a safe, healthy, and effectively functioning early learning program. It’s also a task often put on the back burner since other things seem more urgent and worthy of attention.

Policies and procedures are only helpful if they are current and relevant. That’s why it is essential to have a plan in place to ensure your policies and procedures are reviewed and updated when needed. This handout looks at 7 items that should trigger reviews. The first three times policy and procedure reviews should occur get triggered by changes to the program. The fourth is triggered by something that happens in the program. Outside forces initiate the next two, and the last is triggered by the passage of time.

The 7 Occurrences That Should Prompt Policy And Procedure Reviews

Here are the occurrences that should always prompt policy and procedure reviews:

• Change In Philosophy–A revised program philosophy necessitates the review of multiple policies and procedures to ensure they align with the change. Embracing a philosophy supportive of risk-taking, for example, may require updates to procedures relating to rough and tumble play, climbing, using tools, and more.
• Change In Operations–Program alterations, like adding an infant program or changing your operating hours, mean updating related policies and procedures. 
• Change In Process–Over time, more efficient processes for navigating clean-up time, mealtimes, and other daily events may evolve. Updates to policies and procedures should be made to capture these changes.
• After An Incident–Sometimes, real-world events (say, a pandemic or a power outage) test policies and procedures. After these events, it is essential to look at related policies and procedures and make improvements.
• Change In Technology–Policies and procedures need to change as technology changes. For example, high-speed internet altered how programs communicated with families and collected payments. As a result, related policies and procedures should also have changed.
• Change In Regulation–Every update to regulations governing your program should trigger a review of policies and procedures to ensure you’re still in compliance.
• Passage Of Time–New policies and procedures should be reviewed after they’ve been in place for six months to ensure they are working as expected. After that, check them every 2 years if they have not been evaluated for other reasons.

Wrap Up

Policy and procedure reviews are vital in ensuring your program’s up-to-date, in compliance, and best meeting the needs of children and parents.

You’ll find a free handout with this information here.

Related Policy And Procedure Forms And Handouts

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