A Daycare (Child Care) Contract is a legal agreement between a childcare provider and parents or guardians that outlines the terms and conditions under which daycare services will be provided.
This document must clarify both parties’ expectations, responsibilities, and obligations, ensuring the child’s safety and well-being and avoiding potential disputes or misunderstandings.
Creating a Daycare Business Plan is an effective way to ensure success if you just decided on offering daycare services.
What Is a Daycare Contract?
A daycare contract is a legally binding agreement between a child’s parent and a childcare provider.
Some daycares are owned by independent contractors who work for themselves. Others hire employees to care for children as part of their business.
Daycares primarily offer group childcare services where parents drop off their children for the day. This is mainly during the workweek, but a daycare can provide weekend and evening services.
When To Use a Daycare Contract
There are two main types of daycare locations:
- Home-Based: A home-based daycare is operated out of someone’s residence. It usually cares for only a few children at a time.
- Center-Based: A center-based daycare is a commercial location and usually cares for many kids.
Both types will benefit from using a daycare contract. You should use a daycare contract whenever you operate a daycare business or are a parent who wants to hire one. This agreement can protect both parties’ rights.
Why Use a Daycare Contract?
A daycare contract puts your agreements in writing. This prevents confusion about what the daycare offers and what it must do. Here are the primary uses of a daycare contract:
- Defines the Scope of Services – Details the specific childcare services to be provided, including the days and hours of operation and any additional services offered (e.g., meals, educational activities, etc.).
- Establishes Rules and Policies – Sets forth the daycare’s policies on various matters, such as drop-off and pick-up times, illness, holidays, and other logistical details.
- Clarifies Termination Conditions – Describes the circumstances under which either party can terminate the contract, including notice requirements and other related terms.
- Addresses Liability and Safety Concerns – Provides information on liability issues, safety policies, and emergency procedures to ensure the child’s well-being while in the care of the daycare provider.
- Details Specific Care Requirements – Includes information about special care requirements or considerations for the child, such as dietary restrictions, allergies, or medical conditions.
Terminating a daycare contract should be handled thoughtfully and legally to ensure that both parties – the parents or guardians and the daycare provider – are notified with a termination letter and that it is carried out per the terms and conditions stipulated in the contract.
What To Include in a Daycare Contract
Your daycare contract should include the following:
- Date of the agreement: Your contract should include when the contract was signed. This is often the effective date for the contract.
- State where it was signed: Where the agreement was signed may have crucial legal significance if you need to enforce the contract.
- Party information: The parties’ contact information could include their address, names, and more.
- Description of child care services: The contract should clearly outline what the daycare does, when, and how much it will cost.
- Sales agreement: If your daycare sells products as part of its services, it puts these agreements in writing.
- Legal provisions: A daycare contract provides the standard legal language to protect yourself or your business with these standard provisions.
- Signatures: Each party must sign the agreement, or it may be invalid.
Daycare Contract Sample
A sample daycare contract shows precisely what you must put in your written agreement. Below, you can download our free template in PDF and Word format:
