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Sample contracts
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What is it and how to use it.
Sample contracts
Sample contracts and mission statements
Sample
Insert name of Family Day Care
Parent Contract Agreement
Add/cut /paste whatever you like
Address: [Insert Address], CA 94564
Phone: [Insert Phone Number]
Email: [Insert Email Address]
License Number: [Insert License Number]
1. Child Information
Child's Full Name: ____________________________________________
Date of Birth: _______________
Start Date of Care: _______________
2. Parent/Guardian Information
Parent/Guardian 1 Name: ________________________
Phone: ____________________ Email: ____________________
Parent/Guardian 2 Name: ________________________
Phone: ____________________ Email: ____________________
3. Hours of Operation
Standard Operating Hours:
Monday–Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Children must be picked up by 5:30 PM. Late pick-up fees apply.
4. Fees and Payment
Age Group
Full-Time Weekly Rate
Part-Time Weekly Rate
Infant (0–23 months)
$[Insert]
$[Insert]
Toddler (2–4 years)
$[Insert]
$[Insert]
Preschool/School Age
$[Insert]
$[Insert]
Deposit: One week’s tuition is due at the time of enrollment to hold your child’s spot. This deposit is non-refundable and will be applied to your final week of care with a 30-day written notice of termination.
Payment Terms:
Tuition is due in advance every Friday for the upcoming week. Or bi-weekly/monthly
Late payments (after Monday) will incur a $25 late fee.
No deductions for absences, holidays, or illnesses.
Returned checks will result in a $35 fee and cash-only payments thereafter.
5. Late Pick-Up Policy
Pick-up after 5:30 PM will result in a late fee of $5 per minute, per child. Repeated lateness may result in termination of care.
6. Holidays and Closures
Name of child care Family Day Care is closed on the following holidays (paid):
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Additional Closure Days:
Up to 10 paid personal/vacation/sick days per year. Parents will be given a minimum of 30 days’ notice for vacation.
7. Absences
Parents are responsible for payment whether or not the child attends. Please notify the provider if your child will be absent.
8. Termination Policy
This contract may be terminated with a 30-day written notice by either party. If 30-day notice is not given, the deposit is forfeited. Immediate termination may occur for:
Non-payment
Disruptive behavior
Chronic late pick-up
Lack of cooperation
9. Illness Policy
Children with contagious illness, fever (100.4°F or higher), vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of infection must stay home. Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours without medication before returning. Parents will be called to pick up sick children.
10. Medications
Prescription medications will only be administered with a signed Medication Authorization Form. All medications must be labeled and in original packaging with the child’s name and directions.
11. Discipline Policy
We use positive reinforcement, redirection, and clear boundaries. Time-outs or exclusion are not used for children under 2 years old. Corporal punishment is never permitted.
12. Supplies Required
Parents must provide:
Diapers and wipes
Formula, bottles, or breast milk
Extra clothing (labeled)
Blanket for nap time
Special dietary items or medications
What else would you like them to bring
13. Emergency Procedures
In case of emergency, 911 will be called first. Parents will be contacted immediately. An Emergency Consent Form must be signed upon enrollment.
14. Parent Communication
We provide updates via [written notes/email/app] and are available for check-ins or meetings as needed. Parents are welcome to visit during business hours with prior notice.
15. Acknowledgement and Agreement
By signing this contract, you agree to all the terms outlined above and understand the policies and expectations of name of child care Family Day Care.
Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________
Date: _______________
Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________
Date: _______________
Provider Signature (Owner/Operator): _________________________
Date: _______________
Attachment Checklist (Required at Enrollment)
☐ Emergency Contact Form
☐ Immunization Records
☐ Physician’s Report
☐ Identification and Emergency Info (LIC 700)
☐ Consent for Medical Treatment (LIC 627)
☐ Personal Rights and Parent’s Rights Forms (LIC 613A, LIC 995)
☐ Child’s Routine/Schedule
☐ Signed Parent Handbook Acknowledgement
☐ Payment of Deposit and First Week’s Tuition
☐ what else would you like
☐ what else would you like
9. Illness Policy (Expanded)
Name of child care is committed to maintaining a healthy environment for all children, staff, and families. To minimize the spread of illness, we ask parents to follow the guidelines below:
Children Must Stay Home If They Have:
Fever: Temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher (measured orally or via forehead/ear) within the past 24 hours.
Vomiting: Any vomiting within the past 24 hours.
Diarrhea: 2 or more loose or watery stools within the past 24 hours.
Persistent cough, wheezing, or difficulty breathing not attributed to asthma or allergies.
Thick, green, or yellow nasal discharge not caused by allergies, especially if accompanied by fever.
Unusual rash or skin lesions unless cleared by a doctor.
Pink eye (conjunctivitis): Red or swollen eye(s) with discharge.
Lice, scabies, or other parasitic infestations.
Sore throat with fever or white patches.
Earache or ear drainage.
Excessive fatigue or irritability that interferes with group participation.
Symptoms of any communicable disease (flu, RSV, strep, COVID-19, etc.) until cleared.
COVID-19 & Respiratory Illness Protocol:
Any child showing signs of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath) will be sent home.
Return to care only after:
At least 24 hours fever-free without medication,
Symptoms have improved, and
A negative COVID test, OR at least 5 days have passed since symptoms started with a mask worn until day 10 (if age-appropriate).
Return to Care Criteria:
Children may return when:
They have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication (e.g., Tylenol, Advil),
They are no longer contagious (per physician or CDC guidelines),
They can comfortably participate in regular activities,
A doctor’s note may be required depending on the illness.
If a Child Becomes Sick During Care:
The parent/guardian will be contacted immediately.
Sick children must be picked up within one hour of being notified.
The child will be kept comfortable and separate (but supervised) until picked up.
Notifying Families:
If a contagious illness is reported in the day care (e.g., strep throat, chickenpox, RSV), all families will be notified while maintaining the affected child’s privacy.
Provider Illness:
If the provider is ill and unable to care for children safely, families will be notified as early as possible, and care may be closed for the day. No refunds are issued for these rare closures.
Short sample Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and loving home environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive at their own pace. We are committed to fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence through play-based learning and developmentally appropriate activities. We value strong partnerships with families and believe in open communication to support each child’s unique needs. Our goal is to create a “home away from home” where every child feels valued, respected, and cared for.
Longer sample Mission Statement
At [Your Daycare Name], our mission is to provide high-quality, family-centered childcare in a safe and welcoming home environment. We believe that early childhood is the foundation for a lifetime of learning, and we are dedicated to supporting each child’s growth socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.
We offer a balance of structured learning activities and free play, giving children opportunities to explore, imagine, and discover the world around them. Through creative arts, outdoor play, storytelling, music, and hands-on experiences, we nurture curiosity and build confidence while encouraging kindness, respect, and cooperation.
We view families as our partners in education and strive to maintain open and honest communication. We respect each child’s unique background, cultural traditions, and developmental needs, and we work closely with parents to ensure consistency between home and daycare routines.
Our goal is to create a “home away from home” where children feel loved, supported, and encouraged to become independent thinkers and caring individuals. By providing a warm, stable, and stimulating environment, we help children build the skills they need for school readiness and lifelong success.
PARENT-PROVIDER CHILD CARE CONTRACT sample
I. The following contract is between _____________________________________________________________________ (Parents of child(ren) in care) and _______________________________________ located at ____________________________________________ for the (Child Care Provider) (Address of child care facility) children listed below:
Child's Name_________________________ Date of Birth ____________________
Child's Name_________________________ Date of Birth ____________________
Child's Name_________________________ Date of Birth ____________________
Child's Name_________________________ Date of Birth ____________________
II. Standard Rates and Payment Policies:
1. A deposit of $_____________ is required. The deposit will be applied to the last week’s payment or to the termination notice period if proper notice is not given (see V. Termination procedure).
2. The fee will be $__________ per hour per day per week (circle one) Days and hours of care provided will be: ____________________________________________________________
3. Payment is to be given: weekly bi-weekly other ________________ on _________________________ (Day of week/month)
4. The child care provider will provide (check all that apply): Breakfast Morning Snack Lunch Afternoon Snack Dinner 5. The parent(s)/guardian(s) will provide the following (check all that apply): Change of Clothes Formula/Breast Milk Diapers & Wipes Infant Food Provider will supply ______________________________________________ for an additional fee of $____________. Other special arrangements include _________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________
III. Rates for holidays, absences, vacations, overtime:
1. Care will not be provided, but payment is due, on the following holidays when they occur on a day the child(ren) is/are regularly scheduled for care: ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________
2. The provider will be notified by ___________ if the child(ren) will be absent for the day. (time)
3. Policy for payment of absences is: __________________________________________________________________
4. Fees and policies for provider’s vacation: ___________________________________________________________
5. Fees and policies for parent/guardian’s vacation: ______________________________________________________
6. If the provider is unable to provide care because of illness or emergency, the policy is:__________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________
7. If the parent/guardian drops off the child earlier or picks up later than the times specified above, the following overtime rate will be charged: $____________ per ____________ or portion thereof.
IV. Damages:
The policy on damage caused by the child(ren) while in the provider's care unless caused by the negligence of the provider is: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ (This does not apply to normal wear and tear on toys or furniture, only to damage.)
V. Termination procedure:
This contract begins on the following date: _______________ and may be terminated by either parent/guardian or provider by giving ______ weeks' written notice. The provider may terminate the contract without notice if the parent/guardian is over _______ week(s) late with scheduled payments. Parent/guardian may terminate the contract without notice if the provider does not comply with child care regulations/laws. Changes to the contract, desired by either provider or parent/guardian, must be made in writing and acknowledged in writing by the other parties at least 2 weeks before the desired change takes effect. A new contract may be signed at that time to reflect the changes.
VI. Signatures: By signing this contract, all parties agree to all of the above terms and policies, including financial responsibility for child care provided. The provider is responsible for providing all parties a copy of the signed contract.
Provider's signature ___________________________________________________________ Date _________________________
Mother/Legal guardian signature ___________________________________________________________ Date________________________ address of Mother/Legal guardian ___________________________________________________________________________________
Phone number ___________________________________________________________
Father/Legal guardian signature ___________________________________________________________ Date _______________________ Address of Father/Legal guardian __________________________________________________________
Phone number ___________________________________________________________
SAMPLE Family Child Care Contract
Child Care Provider Name of provider: _______________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone: _____________________ Work Phone: ______________________ Cell Phone: ____________________________
E-mail: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Client Name of first parent/guardian: _____________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone: ________________________ Work Phone: _______________________ Cell Phone: __________________________
E-mail: ____________________________________________________________________________
Employer’s name/address: ________________________________________________________________
Name of second parent/guardian: __________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone: _________________________ Work Phone: __________________ Cell Phone:
E-mail: ___________________________________________________ _____________________
Employer’s name/address:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Child(ren) Covered by This Contract
1. Name of child: _____________________________________________ Date of birth: ____________
2. Name of child: _____________________________________________ Date of birth: ____________
Hours of Operation ▪
Child care will begin on _______________________. Delay on this start time will occur, if these items are not received by ______________: all completed DHS & my paperwork, deposit -last two week of tuition, registration fee, first week of tuition ▪ The days of the week I will be caring for your child(ren) are ___________________________. ▪ The child care program is open year-round, except for the holidays and vacations listed in my policy handbook. ▪ The drop-off time for your child is _____ [AM / PM]. I will not accept your child before this time unless you have made prior arrangements with me. ▪ The pickup time for your child is _____ [AM / PM]. Late fees will apply after this time.
Terms of Payments ▪
The regular rate will be $ _______________per week. ▪ The child care fee will go up on __?____ of each year. ▪ Fees are due on Friday each week for the next week of care. ▪ Late Payment Fees/ Return checks If the child care fee is not paid when due, a late payment fee of $ _?____ The late fee is due on the upcoming Monday at drop off. ▪ If the client does not make the late payment on the following Monday along with the late fee, the provider will cease to offer child care. A family may be terminated at the discretion of the provider on this at any time. ▪ The fee for an insufficient funds check will be $ __?____, plus the amount of any bank charges to the provider’s account.
Holidays ▪
The child care program will be closed on the following days each year: New Year’s Day (January 1) • Martin Luther King Day • Presidents’ Day • Memorial Day • Independence Day • Labor Day • Thanksgiving Day • the day after Thanksgiving • Christmas Eve Day (December 24)• Christmas Day (December 25)• New Year’s Eve Day (December 31) • New Year (January 1)
▪ If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the child care program will be closed the day before (Friday). ▪ If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the child care program will be closed the next day (Monday). ▪ The client must pay for all paid holidays listed above, regardless of any other term in this contract. ▪ Clients pay rate agreed upon on your individual contract for holidays when the program is closed.
Client Vacation ▪
The client may take up to __?___ unpaid vacation days from the program. ▪ The client’s vacation days must be taken in blocks of time, such as one week, Monday Friday. ▪ The client may not carry over vacation time from one child care year to another. ▪ The client may not take as vacation days any holidays or other days that are listed as paid under the terms of this contract. ▪ Clients must give the provider ___?___ notice of the dates of their vacation. Client’s child absence ▪ The client must notify the provider in advance (before the scheduled starting time) whenever a child won’t be coming to care due to illness or any other reason. ▪ Failure to comply with the program’s illness policies may result in the termination of this contract. These policies are listed in your parent handbook page__?___. ▪ The client must pay for all days when the child is sick and not in child care. ▪ The client must pay for all short-term illnesses when the child is sick and not in child care. The payment for a long-term illness may be negotiated with the provider. ▪ If a child is sick for longer than two weeks, the client can end care and the two-week deposit will not be refunded. A holding fee of $ ___?___/ per _______( week? ) can be determined to remain on the roster.
Client’s child absence: ▪
The client must notify the provider in advance (before the scheduled starting time) whenever a child won’t be coming to care due to illness or any other reason. ▪ Failure to comply with the program’s illness policies may result in the termination of this contract. These policies are listed in your parent handbook page__?___. ▪ The client must pay for all days when the child is sick and not in child care. ▪ The client must pay for all short-term illnesses when the child is sick and not in child care. The payment for a long-term illness may be negotiated with the provider. ▪ If a child is sick for longer than two weeks, the client can end care and the two-week deposit will not be refunded. A holding fee of $ ___?___/ per _______( week? ) can be determined to remain on the roster.
Providers vacation & professional days and absence ▪
The child care program will close for __?___days each calendar year for training, conferences, vacations, and the provider’s sick ???/personal days. ▪ The client is responsible for arranging backup care for the providers closed days. ▪ The provider’s vacation days are taken ___?_____. ▪ The provider will give the client 2weeks written notice of her vacation days. ▪ The child care program will close for __?___days each calendar year for training, conferences, vacations, and the provider’s sick ?/personal days. ▪ The client is responsible for arranging backup care for the providers closed days. ▪ The provider’s vacation days are taken ___?_____. The provider will give the client 2weeks written notice of her vacation days.
Other: ▪
The client will be responsible for bringing diapers, baby food, and formula to the child care program. ▪ If the client’s child intentionally or deliberately damages or misuses an item, the client will be responsible for the cost of the damage as determined by the provider.
Termination procedure Trial Period ▪
Child care will begin on __________ (insert date). The client will pay $_______________ per week. The first two weeks in the child care program will be an adjustment or trial period. During this time, either the client or the provider may cancel the contract immediately, without written notice. If the contract is cancelled during this two-week trial period, the client will pay a prorated fee. Payment is due for each day unless the contract is cancelled before the day begins. Last two weeks of care- deposit ▪ The client will pay $________ at the time of signing the contract; this deposit will pay for the client’s last two weeks of care and is non-refundable. ▪ This fee can be prorated over the first month paying a higher amount till full deposit has been reach, then going back to the weekly tuition amount. Termination after Trial Period ▪ The client must give a two-week written notice to end this contract. The deposit fee will be used for the last two weeks. The tuition is not refunded if the client removes the child from the provider’s care before the end of the two week notice period. ▪ The provider may terminate this contract at will. No refund is given back to the client.
The provider reserves the right to immediately terminate this contract without notice if the client does not make each payment in full when due.
Contract signatures ▪
By signing this contract, indicate that all parent(s)/ legal guardians have read the provider’s policies and procedures and agree to follow them. The provider reserves the right to make changes to her policies without notice. ▪ The parent(s) signing this contract is responsible for paying all fees due under this contract, even if the parents are divorced and have joint custody of the child.
________________________________________________________ DATE________________
Parent or legal guardian(s) signature
_______________________________________________________DATE_________________
Parent or legal guardian(s) signature
_______________________________________________________DATE___________________
Provider’s signature