Contracts- parent's questions

I interviewed a new family last night and when I mentioned the contract, the mom asked me why they needed to sign a contract. I replied that it's basically an agreement between the parents and i as to what days/times i will be caring for the child, what rates they will pay and their signed agreement of my policies and procedures. In the year i have been doing daycare, have never actually been asked that question so I am not sure that i gave an excellent answer, even though my hubby heard my answer and said i answered fine in his opinion.

How do you think i answered the question about the contract? What else would you say/not say? Should i mention about income protection, upkeep of the daycare etc?

Lots of reasons to have a contract ... my top three I explain should a client 'question' the need of it:

1. It is standard practice in any 'repeat / ongoing business' relationship to have a contract to define the arrangement clearly ... you sign one with a lawyer, with your a mortgage company, with a leasing or rental company, with your cell phone provider, at the gym and so forth so why would childcare be any different ;)
2. It protects BOTH parties as it clearly defines expectations of both parties around services being offered by the provider and compensation for service to be received for said services. Should any miscommunication arise later what we've agreed to is all right here ~ so the contract services as reminder to both of us later should time pass and we forget any minor details.
3. It keeps a written record of committed 'terms of service' of your clients for CRA in the event of a tax audit ... aka it has a clear signed and documented start date, days of care being committed to, fees for that service and when they give you their written letter of termination and 'end date' than can than match your other records to prove your income is above board and matches all your other record keeping systems.

Notice I kept the focus off the assumption THEY might be an ass who wants to rip me off and I need to protect my income cause well people are more likely to accept it as a benefit for themselves than getting offended I assume they might be wanting to rip me off ~ not an ideal way to start the relationship even if that is a partially true reason why we do have a contract ;)

I think your answer was fine. I also stress that it plainly sets out guidelines for both them and me so everybody knows what to expect when certain situations arise.
I had one family sign on and after being with me for three years, the dad argued with me about a policy and got quite rude with me. I told him if he needed to leave and that if he ever spoke to me that way again I would terminate them immediately. Talked to the mom the next day and she told me that he never understood or took the contract seriously. My contract now states that if you agree to sign you are saying that you understand the need for a contract, if you don't understand, don't sign, this is not the daycare for you.

daycaremum- thank you. I have a clause in my contract too that states "I have read the daycare handbook and understand and agree to all policies and procedures". There are also a few different places that the parents (both, if applicable) must sign. If anyone ever told me they didn't take the contract seriously, i would remind them that it is a contract between myself and them regarding the care of their child so they BETTER take the contract seriously. I ask them how they would feel if i ever fell back on my obligation to their child. I can sure bet that they would be livid

Reggio- Thanks so much for your answer too. You made very good points!

Here's another question: I don't know if i am going to see her again if/before her child starts care here. Is it acceptable to e-mail her a PDF copy of my handbook/contract so she and her husband can read and sign when the child starts?

Yes it's ok to email them the documents but I would want to see them again before start date to go over the contract and make sure it's properly filled out as well the deposit it due prior to starting.

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Originally Posted by Lilywildcat

Here's another question: I don't know if i am going to see her again if/before her child starts care here. Is it acceptable to e-mail her a PDF copy of my handbook/contract so she and her husband can read and sign when the child starts?

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Ya my clients get an PDF version of the handbook for their reference for sure but I agree with Crayola I would not be cool with not seeing them again until the child starts ... in addition to my contract and the security deposit being paid I have emergency forms and other consent and medical forms and things that need to be filled out and returned prior to the child starting. I also like to take the child's photo so that their cubbie can be labelled and their info on our birthday board and so forth so they would have to come back to do that .... and plus well here I have at least TWO mandatory play dates with the child in the program before being left solo so I have a chance to monitor the child a bit more in the 'group' and ask the client any questions while still there to ask them.