I had a home daycare business for ten years. In that time, I learned how to run it with the least amount of issues. An invaluable tool is a contract between the provider and the parents. This way you can nip issues in the bud before you end up with a real problem. This also establishes you as a professional. A contract clearly defines what you will and will not tolerate so if a problem occurs it is there in black and white.
First 5 Steps to creating a Home Day Care Contract:
1. Establish hours of operation. This is also the place to explain your policy on what will happen if a child is picked up late. Come daycares charge a fee for every 5 minutes the parent is late. Mention here that you want to be contacted if child is not coming or will be late.
2. Establish payment policy. How do you want to be paid? When do you want to be paid? What will happen if you are not paid on time or a check bounces? Be clear and bold. This is your business they are not hiring you.
3. Establish what meals you will provide or what the parent will provide. Some daycare providers prefer the parents to provide lunch and some prefer to provide all food and snacks. I provided breakfast if the child was dropped off before 8:30AM, lunch and a snack. I did not allow outside food to be brought in unless I was notified and approved it. You may even provide a menu to the parents of what you will be serving on a day to day basis.
4. Establish a sick policy. This is one of the most important sections after payment policy that you will establish. You need to be clear on this point. At what point will you call the parent to pick up the child? At what point do you not accept a child in daycare?
5. Establish a child pick up policy and emergency contacts. Let the parent know that you will not allow the child to be picked up by someone the parent did not previously authorize. The parent can authorize this by giving you a list or calling you in advance if an emergency comes up. You will also want to get a list of emergency contacts in the event an accident occurs and you cannot get a-hold of the parent.
Do you want a complete guide with a sample contract, information and emergency contact forms, medication consent forms, tips, FAQs, menu planner and more? Visit CurrClick for the download: Starting a Home Day Care Business.