"Can my child care program be sued?" : The limits of this book
1. Knowing the right thing to do: guidance from legal history, legal theory, and brain research : Are your decisions "fair enough" or "no fair!"? ; Is one decision-making process fairer than the other? ; Due process model of fairness ; How rational are our decisions? ; Codes of ethics ; Case study: Reporting suspected abuse
2. Acting ethically while reducing the risks of a lawsuit : A theoretical framework to reduce the risks of a lawsuit ; Case study: Handling different religious beliefs ; Self-protection checklist
3. Reducing conflicts with parents: using contracts and policies effectively : Setting your own rules ; Restrictions on your contract and policies ; Payment schedules ; Case study: Offering customized payment plans ; Rate structures ; Case study: Handling the loss of funding ; Making your contract and policies work for everyone
4. Building partnerships with families: preventing sticky situations and promoting clear expectations : When teachers babysit for program families ; Case study: Pros and cons of babysitting ; Authorized lists for pickup ; Case study: Documenting custody rights ; Instituting a safe-departure policy ; Case study: Safety concerns at release time ; Introducing new policies to families
5. Keeping your child care center safe for everyone: prevention strategies : Your legal duty ; An ounce of prevention ; Caring for sick and injured children ; Keeping children safe when outside and away ; Child abuse ; Sex offenders


6. Minority rights: whose differences are protected? : Balancing minority and majority needs ; Immigrants in America ; Case study: Immigrant family rights ; English-language learners ; Case study: Helping English-language learners ; LGBT children and families ; Case study: Addressing concerns ; Children with disabilities ; Case study: Working with parents
7. Privacy and confidentiality in the Internet age : Ethical and legal issues ; Common privacy concerns ; Internet challenges ; When your center's reputation is attacked on the Internet ; Licensing records ; Staff issues
8. Employee hiring process: ethical and legal policies : Obtaining references of substance ; Case study: Contacting references ; Drafting job descriptions ; Writing job-interview questions ; Asking appropriate interview questions ; Changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ; Case study: Disabilities and reasonable accommodations ; Awareness of cultural differences in the hiring process ; Case study: Being culturally aware
9. Supervision challenges: stepping up to the plate : Facing the discomfort of confrontation ; Case study: Managing a resistant employee ; The probationary period ; Employment "at will" ; Progressive discipline steps ; Returning to employment "at will" ; Grounds for immediate termination ; Confronting difficult-to-document behavior ; Complying with ADAAA requirements on disciplinary action ; Case study: Disciplinary action and disability ; Case study: Addressing highly sensitive issues ; Confidentiality requirements
10. Insurance: are you fully covered? : What does insurance protect? ; Vehicle insurance ; Visitors and workers on your premises ; Directors' and officers' insurance ; Shopping for insurance and an insurance agent ; Insurance coverage limits ; Liability waivers
Appendix: Helpful websites.