Home Daycare - Aurora,IL

J.,

I have one I can send to you via email. Please email me at ____@____.com if you'd like a copy. It is from when I did home daycare a few years ago, and I used a contract from a lady who had previously watched my son. She has been doing daycare for many years so I was comfortable with hers. It is fairly detailed, but spells everything out so everything is clear to parents.

Kim

J., I am very specific in my contracts about what the payment arrangements are (date to be paid, amount, late fees, and returned check fees), prescheduled paid holidays, late pick-up fees, and policy for termination of care on the part of the family or the caregiver (myself). I also hand each parent a Parent Packet that outlines what they can expect from me while their child is in my care, and what I expect from them. In addition all my policies regarding communicable illnesses I outline our daily schedule, discipline policies, and hygiene/cleaning practices. My parents say that while it is a lot of information to give them they feel comfortable and well informed, and I have not ran into some of the issues that other providers in my community have run into. Good luck to you!

I change mine also for different situations but I mainly have what I charge for birth-2yrs and potty trained, 2yr-start school, before and after school care, 1/2 day care, summers, I also tell them what I get in a year as far as vacations which I never take but trust me you do need to take a couple of days here and there for you to regain focus and me time!!Hope this helps!

I will try to find mine & get it to you. I changed mine many times as things came up.

God bless!

I do clerical work for a few daycares and can share the formats for you via email.

I agree w/ other posters...be very specific, but also, do not be afraid to use your policies to back up what you expect!! That's the whole point and I will tell you, parents will try to "bend" the rules if you do not speak up. Also, your "contract" is not your "policies". They are two seperate items. And if you really want to get legal, parents technically have to sign each page of your policies and you have to keep a copy on file (this is what I have been told by the agency that oversees daycare in our area.) I honestly do not know anyone that goes to that length though.

I have a book of policies regarding days off, sick time, pay, etc. and I then have a separate contract they have to sign, I have to sign and I keep on file. If there ever is an issue, I can use my policy manual as my back up...they signed a contract stating that they read and understood policies, there should be no dispute! (You will also learn over time, that you may want to amend them for certain situations.) I used many different manuals to compile my own 7 yrs ago, and have not changed much since then (except maybe fees or hours.) Best of luck...if you have any other questions, please let me know...I usually teach a "start your own daycare" class in the fall w/ the YWCA and have done this for 7 yrs. I have also taken all the CDA classes. I would be happy to help if I can!

I agree with everyone else. Be specific and stick to it. I've had a few parents try to not pay and I would pull out the signed contract and show them that they agreed to it. I also have a handbook that has all of my policies in it. If you are looking for forms a great website to use is www.thedaycarelady.com. It has all kinds of forms and information you can use.

DuPage Childcare Resources were a fabulous resource when I was looking for home daycare. I'm sure it would work the other way around too.