Pricing
Compliant handbooks — without the lawyer bill
Start free. Generate a complete, inspection-ready handbook for $29. Sign up for free rule-change alerts and know the moment your state updates a requirement.
Products
Always free
$0
Free Compliance Check
See exactly which sections your handbook is missing before you buy anything.
- State-specific requirement checklist
- Missing section report
- No credit card required
- Instant results
One-time
$29
Parent Handbook
A complete, state-compliant parent handbook for your licensed childcare center.
- All required policy sections for your state
- Your branding and center details
- View and copy online
- Inspection-ready language
- Instant online access
One-time
$39
Staff Handbook
Employee handbook covering HR policies, operational procedures, and licensing requirements for childcare staff.
- Employment policies and procedures
- Mandatory reporter obligations
- State-specific staff requirements
- Disciplinary and termination policies
One-time
$24
Home Daycare Handbook
Purpose-built for family childcare providers and home-based programs — different requirements, different document.
- Family childcare-specific policies
- Home-based program requirements
- Shorter, focused format
- State-specific language
Add-ons
Extend your coverage
Pair with any handbook purchase, or add to an existing handbook you already own.
no account
Free
Rule-Change Alerts
Get a free email the moment your state changes a childcare licensing requirement — with the affected handbook section flagged.
- Monitoring across all 50 states
- Email alert when your state changes a rule
- See which handbook section is affected
- Free — no subscription, no account
one-time
$79
Center Pack
Parent handbook, staff handbook, and operations manual — everything a licensed center needs in one purchase.
- Parent handbook (normally $29)
- Staff handbook (normally $39)
- Operations manual
- Save $18 vs. buying separately
How We Compare
$29 vs. $2,000. You do the math.
Every licensed childcare center needs a compliant parent handbook. Here's what your options actually cost.
| Hire a Lawyer | DIY | Etsy Template | TotReady | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $2,000+ | $0 (but 40+ hours) | $10–25 | $29–79 |
| State-specific language | Yes | Unlikely | Rarely | Yes, always |
| Time to complete | Days to weeks | 40+ hours | Hours to edit | Minutes |
| Stays current when regulations change | Only if you call them again | Only if you notice | No | Free rule-change alerts |
| Inspection-ready out of the box | Yes | Maybe | No | Yes |
| All required sections included | Yes | Depends on research | No | Yes |
Cost
Lawyer
$2,000+
DIY
$0 (but 40+ hours)
Etsy
$10–25
TotReady
$29–79
State-specific language
Lawyer
Yes
DIY
Unlikely
Etsy
Rarely
TotReady
Yes, always
Time to complete
Lawyer
Days to weeks
DIY
40+ hours
Etsy
Hours to edit
TotReady
Minutes
Stays current when regulations change
Lawyer
Only if you call them again
DIY
Only if you notice
Etsy
No
TotReady
Free rule-change alerts
Inspection-ready out of the box
Lawyer
Yes
DIY
Maybe
Etsy
No
TotReady
Yes
All required sections included
Lawyer
Yes
DIY
Depends on research
Etsy
No
TotReady
Yes
Childcare attorney fees: Hiring an attorney to draft a state-compliant childcare parent handbook typically costs $1,500–$3,000 and takes 2–4 weeks. TotReady generates a state-specific compliant handbook in minutes for $29.
Common questions
- Is the free compliance check really free?
- Yes. The free compliance check compares your state's current licensing requirements against the required sections of a compliant parent handbook. No credit card required. You get a report showing which sections are missing or out of date.
- What's the difference between the parent handbook and the staff handbook?
- The parent handbook covers everything families need to know — enrollment, tuition, policies, and procedures. It satisfies licensing requirements for family-facing documentation. The staff handbook covers employment policies, HR procedures, and operational standards for your employees. Most licensed centers need both.
- How do I keep my handbook current after I buy it?
- Your handbook is accurate on the day you generate it. If your state updates its licensing requirements after that date, sign up for free rule-change alerts. We email you when your state changes a rule and flag the handbook section it affects, so you can regenerate it yourself. The alerts are free — no account, no subscription.
- Can I use these handbooks for family childcare or home daycare?
- The Home Daycare Handbook (coming soon) is designed specifically for family childcare providers and home-based programs. The parent handbook is designed for licensed center-based childcare. Check with your state licensing agency to confirm which document type applies to your program type.
Start free. Get compliant today.
Run a free compliance check on your state, then generate your handbook in minutes. Most centers complete the process in under 15 minutes.