CONTRACTS
It is essential that every family childcare provider has a good contract. Each time you enroll a child in your program, carefully go over your contract and your policies (See policy and procedure fact sheet). Go over each page making sure the parents understand what you expect from them. Ask questions and allow the parent to ask questions. Explain anything that the parent does not understand before you enroll the child. As you are going over each point in your contract have parent initial each page to make sure they fully understand the meaning of each item in your contract.
Occasionally you may have to amend your contract.
For example: change in fees charged or change in hours of care. To make changes in your contract, put it in writing and have the parents sign and date the changes. It is always a good idea to give a 2-4 week notice before changes go into effect.
SAMPLE CONTRACT:
NAME OF YOUR PROGRAM
This contract is entered into between:
(Provider name)________________________________License number__________________
(Address)_____________________________________________________________________
and
Name of parent(s) or guardian: ____________________________________________________
Address of parent(s) or guardian: __________________________________________________
Contact information:
Parent #1:
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Home Phone:____________________________ Cell phone:____________________________
Work information:
Name of company: _____________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________Phone #:_________________
Parent #2:
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Home Phone:____________________________ Cell phone:____________________________
Work information:
Name of company: _____________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________Phone #:_________________
For care of the following children:
Child #1 __________________________________________Date of Birth____________
Child #2__________________________________________Date of Birth____________
Child #3__________________________________________Date of Birth____________
The payment for care shall be $___________per week/day/hour for the following schedule:
Child #1:
(name) Days:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Arrival Departure
_______am _______pm
Child #2:
(name) Days:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Arrival Departure
_______am _______pm
Child #3:
(name) Days:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Arrival Departure
_______am _______pm
The above times and days (are or are not) flexible.
Trial period: (Insert if you require a trial period and terms of trial period)
Childcare deposit: (Insert if you require a deposit: amount, if it is refundable and terms of refund
I may use a substitute. The following individuals have been licensed to provide substitute care:
Substitute #1: ___________________________________________
Substitute #2: ___________________________________________
PAYMENT AND RATES
Payment is due to the provider in advance of care and paid:
Monthly
Biweekly
Weekly
Daily
LATE PAYMENT:
If parent is going to be late picking up the child, every effort must be made to contact the provider. You will be charged additional fees for early drop off or late pick up.
Fees will be charged:
$____________ per ____ minute increments
Payment may be made using (cash, personal check, credit card, or money order).
RETURNED CHECK FEE
Parent or guardian agrees to pay $________________for returned personal check for insufficient funds. If check is returned more than _____ time, (cash, money order) will be accepted as payment.
There will be an additional fee or $__________for late payments.
HOLIDAYS AND VACATIONS
The following is a list of holidays the provider will be closed.
(provider checks all holiday’s that daycare will be closed)
Memorial Day Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday
Labor Day Independence Day (4th of July)
Christmas Day Thanksgiving Day
New Years Day Other
Parents __(are or are not)_________expected to pay for care on those Holidays.
PROVIDER VACATION TIME
The provider will take the following weeks for vacation time (list weeks) any changes to this scheduled vacation parents will be given a ____ month notice
Parents __(are or are not)_________expected to pay for care on those vacation days.
PARENT VACATION TIME
The parents or guardians will take the following weeks for vacation time
(list weeks)______________________________________________________ any changes to this scheduled vacation provider will be given a ___month notice
Parents __(are or are not)_________expected to pay for their scheduled vacations.
CLOSURES DUE TO ILLNESS
If provider is ill:
Provider will make every effort to provide as much notice as possible.
Child care will be closed
Substitute licensed provider will provider care
Parents (are or are not) expected to pay.
When child is ill:
Parents are expected to notify provider child will not be in care. Parents (are or are not) expected to pay on child sick days.
If a child does not arrive for the day and no notice has been given to the provider, parents (are or are not) expected to pay.
Parent or guardian agrees to not bring child to care if they have a communicable disease unless they submit a statement from a physician that the child’s condition is no longer contagious.
TERMINATION PROCEDURES
This contract may be terminated by either Parent or Provider by giving ____ week notice in writing prior to the last date of care. You (are or are not) responsible for payment for all days your child is scheduled for care during this time, regardless of whether or not your child attends childcare.
Provider may immediately terminate this contract without any notice if payment is not made on time.
This contract may be revised at any time by the provider with ______ week notice.
REQUIRED FORMS BEFORE CHILD ATTENDS CHILDCARE
Day Care Child Enrollment
Authorization to Administer Medication (as applicable- includes sunscreen, bug repellant and diaper cream)
Authorization to Transport (vehicle or walking field trips)
Immunization Record (may be submitted within 30 days after enrollment)
Health Report (needs to be completed by physician- may be submitted within 90 days after enrollment)
Information for children under 2 (as applicable)
Signed Family Child Care Contract.
MANDATORY REPORTER
Please be aware that I am a mandatory reporter of child abuse and neglect. This means that if a child in my care has been abused or neglected, or that child has been threatened with abuse, I will immediately inform the state social services department and/or local law enforcement.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: (list any additional items families need to provide)
You are responsible for the following additional requirements: (diapers, formula, etc)
By signing, you hereby acknowledge that you have entered into a legally binding contract. You also acknowledge that you have received and agree to abide by the policies and procedures outlined in the Policy and Procedure Manual. I reserve the right to amend the contract by giving you a copy of the new or changed policies ________weeks before any changes go into effect.
_______________________________________________ ______________
Parent/ Guardian’s signature Date
_______________________________________________ ______________
Parent/ Guardian’s signature Date
________________________________________________ ______________
Provider’s signature Date