How to Write a Daycare Contract

Are you a parent, former daycare assistant, or retired teacher who is interested in starting an in-home daycare? If so, a daycare contract is important. This contract protects both you and your business.

So, what should your daycare contract include?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Computer Paper
• Printer

1. 
   Rates

   Rates
   
   Your daycare rates are likely to vary depending on age and length of care provided. For that reason, you can leave this section blank for now. Before having a parent sign your contract, enter in the amount of money they agreed to pay.
   
   This is also the place where you will outline any late or early fees, should parents need to drop-off or pick-up their children differently.

2. 
   Payment

   Payment Options
   
   Here is where you can outline how you wish to accept payment (such as checks or cash) and when payment must be made. To protect your finances, choose a specific day, such as Mondays, when payment MUST be made.
   
   This is also where you will outline your fees for a late payment.

3. 
   Vacation

   Vacation
   
   This section is optional, but highly encouraged. Outline if you plan to take a weeklong vacation once a year. State that you will give appropriate notice and whether or not your vacation time will be paid.
   
   Working parents also receive vacation time; therefore, it should be highlighted in your daycare contract. Some daycare centers allow parents one week of free or discounted vacation time each year.

4. Food and Drinks
   
   With the exception of newborns and infants, who need baby formula, daycares tend to provide food and drinks for children. If you do, be sure this is taken into consideration when determining your rates.
   
   Outline here the importance of knowing all food allergies and preferences.

5. 
   Illness

   Illness
   
   As a daycare provider, it is your job to provide a healthy and safe environment for all of your children. The decision is yours to make, but most daycare providers do not accept sick children, especially those with fevers or those who are vomiting.
   
   Regardless of what your personal policy on illness is, outline it on your daycare contract.

6. 
   Medicine

   Medicine
   
   To protect all children and your interests, never administer medicine without authorization from parents. In fact, you should have a separate form for this. Give parents the option of selecting medicines to administer to your child, the option to say no, or the option to first contact them.

7. Random Information
   
   Towards the end of your daycare contract, you may want to highlight other information that may not fit into an above mentioned category. This is where you can do so.
   
   * Restate your hours of operation.
   * Items parents should bring (formula, diapers, baby wipes)
   * Information on how to the terminate contract in the event services are no longer needed.

Tips & Warnings

• The above mentioned points are all points you will want to cover on a daycare contract; however, they are just examples. Add in or deleted other important daycare contract headlines as you see fit.

Resources

• Working from Home with Kids