Have you ever considered starting a home daycare? If so, then you know that one of the most important things you can do to set yourself up for success is to create a contract that both you and the parents can sign. But what should all home daycare contracts have? Here are five things that we think are essential.
1. Hours of Operation
Hours of operation are probably the most essential thing to include in your contract. You need to be clear about the days and hours that your daycare will be open and what time drop-off and pick-up will take place.
The hours of operation section may also specify what happens if a parent is late picking up their child. The contract may state that a fee will be charged to the parent for every 15 minutes that a child is not picked up after the specified time. It incentivizes parents to pick up their children on time. By having hours of operation section, both parents and daycare providers can avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.
5 Questions To Ask Before Setting Your Home Daycare Hours of Operations
2. Daycare Fees
Be sure to include a section on daycare fees in your contract. This section includes how much your daycare rates will be (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) and any additional fees for late pick-up, early drop-off, etc. It’s also a good idea to specify what form of payment you accept (cash, check, credit/debit card, etc.).
Read more on Daycare Rates HERE
3. Policies and Procedures
Your contract should also include a section on policies and procedures. This section should include your policy on sick days, vacation days, holidays, etc. It’s also a good idea to have a section on disciplinary actions in case there are any issues with behaviour down the road.
4. Liability Release
In order to protect yourself legally, it’s a good idea to include a liability release in your contract. This release basically states that the parents understand that they are responsible for their child’s safety while at your daycare and that you are not responsible for any injuries that may occur.
5. Parental Rights and Responsibilities
Last but not least, be sure to include a section on parental rights and responsibilities. This section should spell out what the parents’ responsibilities are while their child is in your care (e.g., providing meals, diapers/wipes, change of clothes, etc.), as well as what rights they have (e.g., access to their child at all times).
Well-written home daycare contracts are essential for any home daycare business. By putting together a contract that covers all of the bases, you can help ensure that both you and the parents are on the same page from day one. And when everyone knows what to expect, everyone can relax and focus on what’s really important—the children!
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