Today I will forgo the usual blog and ask for your participation.
With the end of the year creeping up on us there is much talk about 2010 contracts. We are all knowledgeable of the usual and customary inclusions such as payment regardless of attendance, illness and payment policies. However, every once in a while I will come across another provider who has thought of something to include in her contract that could be quite helpful to others.
Nothing is worse than typing up your pretty contract, printing it out, handing it to parents, filing away the signed papers and then 'BAM', a situation comes up that should have been addressed in the contract. You silently curse yourself for lacking foresight and pay the price.
Last year when amending my 2009 contracts I decided to add a vaccination policy. In my care every parent has a contractual obligation to keep a child home for 48 hours after receiving a vaccination. I did not have a crystal ball in November of 2009 that forecasted a flurry of H1N1 hysteria but I'm glad that something inside me urged me to add this policy. For the past week not a day has come and gone wherein I have been full with children. Every parent has kept a child home after receiving their H1N1 vaccination. My contract amendment proved to be beneficial this morning when I was informed, by one daycare parent that after receiving their H1N1 vaccine, the child slept for 15 hours, and feverish, the previous night. Had I not had the foresight to include this policy I wonder if that child might have attended care. If my past experience is any predictor of future experience I can honestly say that, yes, I would have been sure to have at least one child in care feeling lousy as a reaction to their vaccination.
As daycare providers and business women our contracts must reflect our values and our desires to operate in the manner which benefits us most. Contracts are as individual as the provider to whom it belongs. Daycare providers are smart, savvy people and sharing our knowledge is paramount to the success of the profession in its entirety.. The more we all know, the more we grow. Knowledge is power.
Please share with everyone those aspects of your contract that are different or worthy of noting. Perhaps a colleague will stumble upon a new idea that will benefit their business.
Thank you to everyone in advance. Happy reading! Now get out there and start typing.
For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
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26 comments:
I plan on adding to mine at some point an expiry date to my contract. I think it will be September 1st for all parents (I know some do it on the anniversary date). It gives you just more more "out" with each family that can help things seem less personal. September is a big month of change in the day care world and as much as you plan for it there is always one family that will change things up on you. I would like to have some power to keep my best interests in mind.
I would also like to add that my only method of payment accepted is postdated cheques just to save some time and record keeping.
Can't wait to hear other ideas....
Qwerty
I added this year a vacation policy around Christmas. I take 3 days of paid holidays during the 2 weeks of the break. Often children's attendance goes down during that time and I found myself caring for only 1 or 2 children per day even though I was getting paid for all 5. So, I ask parents what days their child will be away the and move the other kids that I would have to different days since attendance is low and I get 3 days off with pay. I also close at noon on Dec 24th but full day fee is in effect - did that to discourage people from using that day. Parents were home but using that day and I was becoming resentful that I couldn't get anything done that day.
I don't know how unique this is, but I have added a clause about "free/family vacation days." I give 7 days off free per year, per child(may be used individually or consecutively) to offset sick days/vacations days, etc. I get paid for 10 personal days per year and felt it was only fair. That way if I take off sick and the parent doesn't want to pay and has a free day they can use that as credit toward their next payment. They expire on 12/31; can't be used for the listed holidays or from 12/1 through 12/31; and once they're gone, they're gone.
I also added a special addendum (not sure of the appropriatness or sp of that word)for parents who are teachers...they get the major holidays off and summers too; but they pay more per week to offset that lost income.
Qwerty: I have an end date of Dec 31st for all contracts.
Jennifer: I don't give any days where parents don't have to pay. You pay regardless of attendance
I do not open on Dec. 24 or Dec. 31 Most families either got off early or had the day off, but the kids were here for longer than their normal day.
I have two teachers, for both I did a seperate contract from the other families which gives them the holidays off at half rate, they get the summer off but need to pay two weeks in June to hold their spot in Sept. the two weeks payment goes towards the last two weeks.
I changed my potty training clause in my new contracts it is very clear about no underwear until the child is fully potty trained.
One provider I know of charges parents 18 days per month instead of 20 and then "banks those days so that her vacation and sick days are "paid". So in essence she gets 24 days off in a year and the parent salways pay the same monthly fee. I have mixed feeling sabout this but it's something I'm considering. I like the idea of a consistent income.
I have a bit in my contract about paying upfront for the final 2-weeks of care. My "final 2-week" deposit ensures me that I'm paid for those last 2 weeks should someone bail early (it's happened only once). A two week notice is still required, and if they remain the full time, those final 2 weeks are "free" to the parent, if not, I pocket the difference.
Rena
Sadly, I have to amend my contract to include that children have to arrive in a clean diaper and dressed for the day. I have a parent who at least once a week sends their child in their pajamas, still in a dirty diaper from the night before with no clothes for them to wear for the day.
Anonymous who said...
One provider I know of charges parents 18 days per month instead of 20 and then "banks those days so that her vacation and sick days are "paid". So in essence she gets 24 days off in a year and the parent salways pay the same monthly fee. I have mixed feeling sabout this but it's something I'm considering. I like the idea of a consistent income.
What happens when the provider has basically cared for a child for FREE two days a month and the parents leave care three months in. What then? The provider is out of luck and cared for a child six days she didn't get paid for. Not to mention the fact that on the days she gives away each month she is feeding and paying overhead for those kids.
Not to mention, each month averages 21 days. I am all for securing a predictable income but I would make sure it was to my advantage. It is probably best if you are not able to put some aside each month to do it that way. I think psychologically parents would rather pay for days used than your days off but it is all the same in the end.
Qwerty
great idea. i cant tell you how many of my parents take their child to the doctors for thier shots and then bring them right back. i even have one dcp who dosent believe in giving them any tempa/tylenol after. so i am stuck dealing with a cranky baby who's in pain and wanting there mom not there dcp. i will be adding this in my contracts for sure.
I've been making adjustments here and there to make my contract better and more clear. I adjusted/clarified what my full time and part time means. I took out the hours (I had 125 hours or less for P/T) and just left it at p/t being 3 days/week or less OR 5 hours or less per day. I found that people were getting to many full days mixed with part days per week and still paying P/T fees because they were under the 125 hour mark. For example, I had 1 person wanting 3 full days plus 1 part time day per week and because the hours the children were here didn't add up to the 125 hours, she would get away with paying P/T fees even though she was using 4/5 days per week.
Fruitloop
A couple of more things:
1) I require 45 days notice of termination so I can find a replacement child.
2) I have a clause that says the first 6 weeks of care are considered an adjustment and that the parent or the provider can terminate within that time without further obligations to the contract. Sometimes you think the screamer will stop after 2 weeks and they don't. Again, one more way out.
3) If child is not potty trained by their 3rd birthday parents are required to take a week off (full fees in effect) to finish the process.
Qwerty
wow, loads of ideas,.... I dont know what about mine is off from others,.. Ive never really looked at anyone elses real good. I can email a copy of mine to anyone who wants to see it. Just let me know.
Laundryduchess
I just added in mine, that shoes need to be velcro or slip on. No buckles or laces (unless they can do it themselves). Imagine getting 5 kids ready and having to buckle and tie all their shoes :P I had one mom that would send her daughter in her pretty little mary jane shoes. This is the same mom who sent her daughter in white capris when or yard was yet to be landscaped, and we still played outside.
RothesayShyMom
Since parents seem to be clueless on this issue, I will be adding "Children will not be allowed to go past the front entrance until all outerwear is taken off and hung up or put away. This includes outdoor shoes." I am continually amazed when parents bring their kids in the door and just let them loose. It's great the kids are excited to be here but would they want me running on their livingroom carpet with my muddy boots on? I think not!
For that problem (I HATE THAT TOO), I gate the entrance to keep parents and kids off my floors.
Oh, I have a gate - but parents will come in the door, lift them over and leave. IT just starts the day off wrong :(
I am thru an agency so they have one set of 'rules' and I add on to those as I see fit...
I require that all children MUST have a wram pair of sliipers to wear over the winter months (usually Sept-April) as our playrrom is in the basement. Even though it is carpeted it also gives extra protection to their little feet should we need to leave the house in an emergency and it is snowy.
I charge a flat monthly full time and part time rate...this way I don't have to dicker with parents over days/hours attended. Parents know what to pay each month and I know what to expect $$ wise each month. My monthly fee is based on a set $ amount per day based on a 21 day month...minus my agency fees.
Parents pay for days not attended if I am open...regardless of reasons. I am closed ALL Stat holidays and it is included in my fees.
Finally, any parent who interviews with me must be okay with me taking the children on outings in my vehicle (I have proper insurance etc) at any given notice (most outings are regular or notified in advance) based on the children's and my needs.
Dmansmommy
I can't believe they lift them over the gate! How rude!
Oh the stuff on vaccinations reminded me of my new medication policy:
If they are being medicated at home then they will be medicated at care.
I can't count the number of times a parents has come in and said oh he's teething but I gave him some tylenol and he seems to be fine. He has allergies but I gave him antihishtamine and he seems to be fine. But they never bring me the medication. I don't push medication on anyone, I also don't mind medicating the kids what I hate is that the parents somehow feel that the medication they needed to give at home so their child was not a grump or a snot nosed monster is unnecessasry at my house. Thus the new policy.
I've also considered adding in a Parent/Teacher conference once or twice a year jsut to check in.
I like the bit about a clean diaper and change of clothes. Nothing is worse than meeting a child with wet and/or smelly bum.
I was also considering how on earth to cut out the screaming in the mornings. Parents will come, and fight with their children in the morning and then run out and leave them when they are flustered and then repeat the process in the evening(flustering them and the remaining kids). I do have in my contract that pick up and drop off should be brief so we can continue with our program but sometimes it's so gosh darn painful with all the whining and hitting(yes both parents and children hitting each other and the tantrums) Something wonderful for my children and dh to wake up to.
SOAC
Does anyone have a termination letter they use. I am considering terminating a 2yr that is a constant crier, pusher, screamer, spitter, you name shes it. I spend most of my day disaplining her and giving her timeouts. I am at the end of my rope. This would be my first termination and I am a bit nervous to do it. Any suggestions from anyone else who has had to do this would be great.
Good Idea regarding the Vaccinations. I just finished a week of hell with all dck. They were all vaccinated on the weekend and arrived on monday horrible. Snotty dripping noses and just plain miserable. No fevers though just my luck cause I would have sent them all home. I will def. be implementing the vaccination clause for next years flu season.
Angel
WOW some really great ideas and some I'm not sure if I could follow through with. I give all my children 2 weeks holidays (I take 2 myself and close between Christmas and New Years)per year plus 5 sick days. They need to give me proper notice for vacation time and do not pay for those days. If they are sick more then 5 times they can use their va-cay days. I do not charge for Stat/civic holidays but charge for snow days (if they can't make it during a snow storm).
I have created Transportation permission forms in which the parents have given me permission to take their child in the car at any given time for sceduled or unscheduled events. COVER YOUR BUTT NO MATTER WHAT!! I have medical forms for children who need or already taking medcine. The parents sign it in the morning advising the dose and I sign it at the end of the day stating what was given.
Wow, I'm seeing lots of great ideas! Granted, I've still got around two years before I can start my daycare, but I plan to be as prepared as possible where all my paperwork is concerned. Many of these ideas will be put to use when I get started! Thank you all so much!
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