CHILD CARE CONTRACT

PURPOSE:            To provide a high quality of care to infants, toddlers and pre-school aged children with respect to their educational and emotional needs; to provide an atmosphere of open communication between provider and parents. This program includes a well-rounded pre-school curriculum which includes an emphasis on pre-reading and pre-math skills and involves arts and crafts, cooking, science, social science, dramatic play, music, movement and language activities. Program also emphasizes the development of appropriate health and behavioral skills utilizing active positive reinforcement. Plenty of time is provided for active play, group activities, individual attention and rest. Consideration is taken to meet the needs of each child both as an individual and as a member of the group.

HOURS:              8:00 am 5:30 pm; Monday through Friday; any exceptions to this must be agreed upon, in writing by both parties. Unplanned early arrivals/late pick-ups will be assessed an extra fee as follows: $10 for the first 15 minutes or fraction thereof and $15 for each additional 15 minute interval or fraction thereof. Parents are expected to respect the hours of operation provided for in this contract.

FEES:                 FT rate is $xxx for infants under 2 and $xxx for children over 2 who are potty trained. PT rate is $xx per day for infants and children over 2. First and last week's fees must be paid in full before children are admitted into care. A late fee of $15 per day will be applied to any late payments. Returned checks will be assessed a $25 fee and payments in cash only will be required after a check has bounced. A one time non-refundable deposit of $25 per child is required at the time that the contract is signed.

MEALS/

SNACKS:           Healthy meals and snacks will be provided by the child care home on a daily basis unless; a) the child requires a special diet that requires special accommodation; or b) a field trip is planned during which a lunch will be purchased.

SUPPLIES:          Parents are required to supply weather-appropriate outerwear and at least one set of back-up clothes per child. Plan on dressing children in play appropriate clothes. Shoes must be appropriate for outdoor play and the correct size for the child. Many of our favorite activities can get pretty messy so please do not send your child in special or brand new clothing. Also, a sleeping bag or quilt, which will be sent home for weekly cleaning, must be provided for nap/quiet time. Parent must provide diapers, wipes and/or formula if needed. (Note: Children will walk and/or play outdoors every day unless weather is extremely inclement. Please provide appropriate clothes for outdoor comfort and enjoyment.)

TOILET

TRAINING:          Provider agrees to actively work with parents and child in accomplishing this important milestone. Parents are expected to provide an adequate supply of pull-up diapers or training pants with rubber pants until child is fully potty trained. Also, parent should supply a water-proof sheet for naptime and extra back-up clothes during this time period. Until the child is potty trained, his/her weekly fee will be $xxx until fully potty trained if the child is over the age of 2.

FIELD

TRIPS:                This contract will serve as a blanket permission slip for all local field trips. Most field trips carry an additional fee of $0- $5. Any field trip either outside of the Columbia area and/or costing more than $5 per child will require a separate field trip form.

FOOD/TOYS

FROM HOME

POLICY:             Any food brought from home should be of appropriate quantity and quality to share with all members of the childcare group. The only exception to this would be foods required to meet a special dietary consideration (such as formula or soy milk). Toys may only be brought from home for scheduled show and tell days. There are many toys in our classroom and toys from home can cause additional conflict and/or liability.

BIRTHDAYS:      You are welcome to send in a treat from home for your child's birthday. Please make sure to let the Provider know at least a day in advance. Preferred treats include donut holes and cookies.

SICK

POLICY:             Children with a fever exceeding 100°F, diarrhea, vomiting and/or unexplained rash may not be accepted into the childcare home. Children who develop such symptoms during the course of the day will be excluded from care immediately and are expected to be picked up by parents in a timely fashion. Provider must be informed if the child is taking/has taken any medications within the 24-hour period before coming to childcare (including over-the-counter medications). One dose of over-the-medicine can be given to the child during the day with a signed note, which includes dosage information, from the parent. Prescription medications can be administered if in original container and accompanied by parental note. Communication regarding the child(ren)s health needs are an essential part of the child care contract.

VACATION

POLICY:             Provider will take two weeks of  paid vacation during the calendar year in addition to the following holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving and the week beginning Christmas Eve through New Years Day. Provider reserves the right to take three paid personal days during the calendar year. Parents are expected to make arrangements for any childcare needed on the above days. Provider will give at least two months notice for scheduled vacation weeks and reasonable notice of personal days when possible.

REQD

FORMS:             In addition to a signed copy of this contract, the following completed forms are required before admitting any child into care: Health Inventory, Health Inventory Addendum and Emergency Card.

CONTACT

INFO.:                 Parent must provide a contact number for any day that he/she will not be at his/her usual place of work/contact number. On any occasion that a parent cannot be reached, please inform provider of which back-up person can be contacted in case of emergency/illness.

TRIAL

PERIOD:          The first three weeks are to be considered a trial period. It can take this long or longer to determine whether this environment is a comfortable fit for both the children and the provider. Provider reserves the right to cancel the contract during or immediately following this period, if deemed necessary.

TERM OF

CONTRACT:

This contract becomes effective on the date signed and remains in effect for one complete calendar year. Two weeks written notice, by either party, must be provided to effect termination of contract unless parent is found in violation of contract.

SIGNED:                                           DATED:

PROVIDER

PARENT