I am confused!! please help..

[Inspired by Reggio]

You do not have a contract you both sign as 'agreement' to the service being provided and fees being paid by them?

Contracts generally as a minimum outlines the 'key' financial end of things around the days and hours of care they are committing to, the regular fee for those days, fees during illness, vacation and any other closures, late fees if they arrive after committed to hours, late charge if they do not pay fees on time, any NSF fees if a payment bounces and finally procedures around and the notice policy or grounds for terminating the contract without notice for either party' ... some providers also have their program policies signed off on in the contract as well like nutrition, potty training, nap time and so forth. I have the financial contract signed and than the last paragraph states they have been given a handbook and we both agree to adhere to the program policies contained within it ~ saves me the paper of having to print that out cause I send it electronically

[paz]

Reggio..The weekly fees is noted on top of the handbook. I feel that if you tell them there will be a contract to sign..scare them away!
I only take cash as a method of payment and its on Mondays. Also, provide receipts which I keep a copy for my records and a calendar which is used to keep track on payments/attendance/sick days/vacations..etc.

[Toregone]

Reggio..The weekly fees is noted on top of the handbook. I feel that if you tell them there will be a contract to sign..scare them away!
I only take cash as a method of payment and its on Mondays. Also, provide receipts which I keep a copy for my records and a calendar which is used to keep track on payments/attendance/sick days/vacations..etc.

Why would a contract scare them away? It is there for thier protection as much as it is yours. When I was working outside the home I once had a provider move out of town overnight with my full month of fees. I had no legal recourse as there was no contract. Seriously Thursday evening I picked my son up and Friday morning she was gone. This was the 4th of the month and fees were paid for the whole month. The next dayhome after that *I* insisted on a contract. Contracts are not there to screw or scare anyone, the are an integral part of a business arrangement. Get a contract! Please!

[Inspired by Reggio]

... I feel that if you tell them there will be a contract to sign..scare them away!

Ah see signed contracts are the norm here ~ for both licensed models and private home childcare models .... in our community new parents are told by the OEYC and other government 'checklists' provided at prenatal fairs and so forth to look for a contract when interviewing as it is a seen as a symbol of someone offering a professional business as often those who do not have one, at least HERE, tend to be those who are working illegally 'under the table' and do not want a paper trail and are likely not carrying insurance and so forth as a result.

Contracts are designed to protect both the provider AND the client by setting clear expectations for service and commitment around payment and the 'signing' ensures that at a later date no one can claim to have not been 'aware' of the conditions of enrollment or requirement of payment ~ each party has a signed copy of the 'agreement' for their protection during any conflict ... anyone who was not willing to make that written commitment to the relationship would not be welcomed into service here.

[paz]

Thanks for the suggestions. I see the importance of having a written commitment.
I am working on an agreement form and wonder if you ladies can suggest a good template. I am not sure how much information to include but would like it plain and simple.