Daycare Contracts

Updated on February 02, 2013
S.L. asks from Arvada, CO
6 answers

Our child was ion an in home daycare for less than one year. We signed a contract with the provider which included the hours of operation (7am-5:30pm) and days she would be closed (all holidays). The contract also stated she would take one paid vacation a year giving four weeks notice. There was nothing in the contract regarding her sick days or any short notice days off. We were also verbally told (as was in her written ad) that there were always two people there (made sense with the amount of kids she is allowed to have). As time progressed, she would take days off for family emergencies and sickness (we still paid entirely for the week). A few months in she then began demanding our child be picked up no later than 5:15. She also never ID anyone who went to pick our child up (as was stated in the contract she would). We pulled our daughter out of her care for all the above reasons and because her attitude had become very poor! She acted as though she hated watching the children! She is now refusing to provide us with her tax ID number for us to file taxes unless we pay her for two weeks because we didn't give her notice. Am I still held to the portion of the contract which requires.two weeks notice or pay in lieu of the two weeks? She broke the contract way before we pulled our child out of her care. (Side note; she admittedly said she would lie to the IRS about ever providing care for our child and said she's done it before!) She is threatening small claims for the two weeks pay. (We do not have a copy of the contract we signed because the copy she kept saying she would give us, she never did)

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S.S.

answers from Dallas on

I had a similar situation with an in-home care but it didn't get ugly. Without your copy of the written contract, it would be difficult to fight if she does indeed take you to small claims. Regarding the tax ID number, if you are friends with any of the other parents you can get it from them, just tell them you forgot to get it from her and can't get her on the phone. I would file a report with the state on her as well, they will do an investigation. Not sure where the written ad was but if it's something like Craigslist, you can flag her ad and it will get taken down.

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K.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

If the contract says 2 weeks notice then I would pay the 2 weeks or she does have a case unless you are able to prove that your child was in immediate physical danger. But I would require that she give you a copy of the contract and the tax ID when you hand her the final check. Also make her sign a paper saying that the final check puts you in the clear and nullifies the contract. Then I would just walk away having learned some very valuable lessons. Never sign a contract unless there are 2 copies at the time and both parties sign both copies. That way you would have an easier time with a counter claim. Also the tax ID should be on the contract.

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L.H.

answers from Milwaukee on

Do you have proof you paid her? cancelled checks and such? Well in order to take you to small claims I believe she would have to provide them with a letter of the contract. Did you give her a letter stating why you left? If not I would do so and send it certified mail.

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C.M.

answers from Lincoln on

Did you pay cash every time? If you paid by check, this would work for receipts that you did pay her for daycare. If she's licensed, the state has her ID number and could get it for you. Since you would have copies of returned checks showing that you paid her, you should be able to get her ID number and claim it.

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S.G.

answers from Rapid City on

I hope you paid her with checks because it will help if she lies. If you paid cash I would pay the two weeks with check and make sure that you send it certified mail with the memo line stating this is the two weeks pay for removing your child. You could get a copy of the contract you signed if you get a lawyer I am sure, but that may cost more then if you just pay it, as unfair as it seems. In the certified letter state the reasons you removed your child and that being blackmailed for the tax ID number is unprofessional and probably illegal. Make copies of everything for you to keep. Then send copies into the better business bureau and to the state child agency, so they can check her out more. She has more to lose then you do and would be smart to work with you.

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J.K.

answers from Wausau on

You may want to let her know that you don't need her TIN to file, and refusing to give the info will result in a fine from the IRS, and possibly an audit.

Fill out the W-10 form with her name and address, then add "See Attached Form" and include an letter of explaination statinf that the person is refusing to give you a tax ID, SSN or DL number. The IRS will deal with her for you.

You should have clear records of making payments. A record of the checks, money order receipts, or cash receipts. If you don't have any of those things and are audited, you'll end up paying back the deduction.

As for the contract, you may be legally obligated to pay the 2 week penalty despite your issues with her. Without seeing the actual contract, I can't say for sure. Unless she plans to file in small claims court, I don't see anything coming of it.

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