Yes guess I should have clarified that my contract and policy/procedure are likely more in depth than the average home childcare provider because I started out in the 'regulated' industry and therefore was required to have proactive policies for things that most providers hopefully never encounter or have things in there required by the Day Nursery Act .... it was just easier to have my 'private client handbook' as close to the agency model rules as possible so that all clients would be treated the same regardless if they were with the agency or privately through me ... and even though I am no longer with the agency I just prefer to keep things the same cause it would make it easy to 'flip back' should such a time arise that being regulated became more prudent for me again.

As a private provider that is one of the perks ~ you can keep your contract and polices as simple and flexible as you feel is your due diligence cause you only answer to yourself and your clients.