Please tell me if my contract is okay..

[AmandaKDT]

A friend of mine was asking "Do all daycare providers have a contract?"...what are the cons? She said her daycare provider does not have a "contract"

I can't think of any cons, a contract protects the provider and make all expectations very clear and laid out. Makes it hard to be taken advantage of - for both the provider and the parents.

[blackcomb]

Have to admit the ones I have used recently didn't do a contract either and you paid per time, on the day or after it, the one I use now is not bothered if I pay her at the next date instead of the one I am taking him on (when I rushed out the door to get to work on time and forgot to grab a cheque for example).

She seems to retain her clients.

Personally I'd not want the hassle of being messed around so for me a contract is a must, especially as it's just me managing it all.
Early on when I did this away from home taking my then baby with me, the odd person tried it on.. well one did she was on welfare and I did not like working for her due to her trying to play hard done by with paying me even though she knew up front I charge in advance, I didn't let her get away with it, I did that week and that was it, on the other hand I got paid very well by someone who used a nanny mostly and was charged far too much as they do! She wanted me for her 3 daughters instead ongoing and she lived at a hotel!! as I was a far better rate (didn't own my own house then).

Mine I have used in the area all charge $30 but $25 overnight care my current one or $30 daytime. I just did a search in my immediate area and four came up including my own listing and were at $35 per time, so $5 more. I have limited myself to 5 children including my own (I don't want to over do it plus it's more than enough for me and safer too). I did age 2-6, and you are right I too want my child's age more than too young ones, my son prefers his age or a bit older if honest, he behaves better with them ha. If he won't listen to me he'll listen to an older girl commonly.