Home Childcare Contracts and Tips/Suggestions

[Mickey]

I'm thinking about possibly doing home childcare and was wondering if anyone has a site with a good parent/provider contract that covers everything in a clear manner. Or, if you'd like to share the one you use, I'd really appreciate it!

Also, I'd love any "whatever you do..."-type tips or advice you might have for someone just starting out--things you would do differently if you had them to do over again, things you find most frustrating, what to look for when interviewing families, etc.

One more thing...how strict are you regarding illness? I know kids get sick, but do you take/keep kids who are sick and if so, how sick? I know there are state guidelines, but I also know many places are very lenient. How do you handle that?

Thanks in advance!
Mickey

[celdav25]

I just started doing home care. If the child have a temp. of 100 degrees for infant you must call the parents for pick-up.
I'm in Texas so your laws might be different.

Always be up front with the parent doing your interview and be clear. Have the parents bring the child with them so you could get to know them and the child knows you. Also have your husband there so when the parents drop the child of they won't be surprise who he is.

[Diane]

http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/~CCRSCare/contracts.htm
http://www.childfun.com
http://www.childfun.com/childcare/contract.shtml
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/familydevelopment/components/7268j.html
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/familydevelopment/DE7268.html

[vea29]

I'm also planning to open home daycare/afterschool care in future ....Please pass on an info you find out.... Thanks!!!

[JAK]

Mickey- if you want I'll e-mail you a copy of my contract/policies and you can check them out. Mine are very clear cut and have to include a lot of info required by the Air Force (that you wouldn't be required to have) but it might give you some suggestions. I'd say make it as professional as possible. I've seen several contracts of other providers on base and can't believe how they word things. (very unprofessional)

My sick policy (on fevers) is that is the child has a temp over 101 degrees they have to go home.
Let me know and I'll e-mail it to you- just include your e-mail address.

[Mickey]

Thank you all so much!!!

celdav25, I really appreciate the tips! How do you like doing home daycare so far?

Diane, I've only had a chance to check out one of the links you posted so far, and it was very helpful! I also found one you posted on this forum a year or so ago and it's really informative, too--mentioned things I hadn't considered.

Vea, I hope things work out well for you in the future with the home childcare! Let me know if you come across anything, too!

Thanks to you, too, Jen! I would really appreciate it if you'd e-mail me your contract, policies or anything else you think might be helpful! Here's my e-mail address: mickeyir@hotmail.com

I will definitely keep it professional. The part that worries me a bit is that I have a tendency to be too nice at times. I need to REALLY focus on not letting things get to informal/comfortable to the point where I could be open to someone taking advantage (coming late to pick up, not paying on time, etc.). Would really like interviewing tips, too, if anyone has them--questions to ask, things to really be certain to cover, etc.

Thank you all so much again! I really do appreciate it! :)

[JAK]

I'm going to try and e-mail you right now.

[Mickey]

Thank you, Jen!

[vea29]

Mickey

Definatly check out those childfun.com web site that Diane mentions.... It looks very helpful. They have all types of forms etc. They also have a message board there that is similar to this one (Not as much fun more serious...no offense to them) and It seems like most the girls there are doing home daycare... They are extremely helpful.


They talk alot about business stuff. I go there for Info.

Good luck!!!!

[JAK]

Originally posted by Mickey
Thank you, Jen!

You're very welcome! :)

[Diane]

Originally posted by vea29
Mickey

Definatly check out those childfun.com web site that Diane mentions.... It looks very helpful. They have all types of forms etc. They also have a message board there that is similar to this one (Not as much fun more serious...no offense to them) and It seems like most the girls there are doing home daycare... They are extremely helpful.


They talk alot about business stuff. I go there for Info.

Good luck!!!!

I've seen you posting there... and I'm glad that you like the site. :) It's also been very helpful for me. :)

Diane... :wave:

[vea29]

Originally posted by Diane P.


I've seen you posting there... and I'm glad that you like the site. :) It's also been very helpful for me. :)

Diane... :wave:

I did not see you there .....did you use a differant name...I'll have to look for you next time.

Vea

[Diane]

Originally posted by vea29
I did not see you there .....did you use a differant name...I'll have to look for you next time.

Vea

Just under Diane... I don't post a whole lot there (not like I do here) but I try to get in there at least once or twice a day just to check the board out. If I see something I can add my 2 cents to, I do. :)
I'm glad you like it there...

Diane... :wave:

[Sunshine]

Hi, if you are still looking for contracts I could send you mine. I've been licensed for a year but I'm just starting again after a long break. My son had some medical problems but all is well now and I'm back into it.

Sunshine

[RCT]

WOW, you go girl...I have said it before....:thumb: way to go to the child care providers of the world....I myself couldn't do it...but I have the most respect for those of you who can.....good luck and enjoy...someone will be very lucky to have you as thier childs care giver...:)

[Diane]

Originally posted by JAK
I'm going to try and e-mail you right now.

I'm in the process of redoing my contract... would you mind sending me your's for idea's? I'd really appreciate it... Thanks
dianepierro@yahoo.com

Diane... :wave:

[JAK]

Originally posted by Diane P.


I'm in the process of redoing my contract... would you mind sending me your's for idea's? I'd really appreciate it... Thanks
dianepierro@yahoo.com

Diane... :wave:

I'll try and send it out later today. :)

[JAK]

I finally e-mailed you Diane! :) Would you mind sending me a copy of yours when you are done. I always like to get new ideas! :) Thanks! :)

[Diane]

I got it... THANKS!!! I'll be happy to send you mine.

Diane... :wave:

[Sunrisedaycare]

The sites here helped. Thanks!:)