Enrollment Agreement
Childcare Philosophy
I believe every child deserves love and respect. I promise to treat your child the way I would like to be treated. I will listen to them, spend time with them and teach them about life through guidance, encouragement and gentle discipline. I have a great responsibility to you, your child and God and I do not take this responsibility lightly. I believe the way your child is treated, especially in their early years, has a profound impact on their mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. I also believe there has to be a mutual commitment between you as the parent(s) and myself to always work together with open communication, consistency and a common desire to see your child thrive!
Parent/ Caregiver Relationship
As stated in my Childcare Philosophy I feel it is very important that you and I communicate well. With this contract, I am telling you exactly what I expect of you. Please tell me what you expect of me so there will be no misunderstandings that could lead to problems later.
Attire and Supplies
Some of our activities involve getting dirty! This may be playing with sand or using paint or markers. I make every effort at sending home clean children. But please, do not send your child to my house in anything that would upset you to see stained. And, those little girls look adorable in their dresses and leotards, but they’re not practical for climbing, so please try to dress them for our outdoor activities. Also, I have pea gravel in the playground which makes wearing sandals quite inconvenient or even painful! Please send your children in regular, closed-toe shoes, preferably with Velcro closures (to cut down on shoe-tying breaks).
Please keep an extra change of clothing, including socks, that is appropriate for the season in your child’s cubby at all times. Also, bring a comb or hairbrush labeled with your child’s name. If your child is not potty-trained, you will be responsible for supplying your own diapers. I will supply the wipes.
Personal Property
A single toy may be brought from home as long as your child is able to share that toy. I encourage respect for property and take precautions against damage of toys; however, please keep any particularly important or valuable items at home as they could get broken by the children.
If your child has a need for his favorite blanket, pillow, etc. for security, then you may bring that item. It is better if you have an extra to leave in the cubby so a forgotten item doesn’t cause problems if you get home without it!
Business Days and Hours
My home is open for business Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM until 6:00 PM. It is very important that you respect those hours. Please do not come before 7:30 AM or arrive after 6:00 PM unless absolutely necessary. Please call me ahead of time if this is necessary and I will be happy to accommodate you if at all possible.
This business is conducted in my home and my family makes concessions to allow this. They count on me being available as soon as possible, so please pick up your child by 6:00 PM. I charge $15 for every 30 minutes (or portion thereof) that you are late in picking up your child.
Fees
Your fee will be ______ per week for care on the following days (please circle): MON TUES WED THURS FRI. I will give a $5 weekly discount for siblings enrolled in my care. Fees are due on the last attended day of the week prior to the week of care. There will be a $10 late fee assessed if not paid on time. This fee reserves a place specifically for your child. Therefore, if your child must miss a day or a week you are obligated to pay the full fee. If your child must miss for an extended period of time you will need to continue to pay the full fee (weekly or monthly) in order to secure the space or I will have to enroll another child to fill the spot. I have to maintain optimum enrollment as I depend on this income for my monthly budget.
Payment may be made by check (to Cena Vaden) or cash. There will be a $25 fee for a returned check. I will issue a written receipt if requested.
Holidays
I will be closed on the national holidays listed below. If your child would normally have been in attendance that day, your fee for that week remains the same as a non-holiday week.
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Good Friday
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday)
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Vacations
I try to remain open if at all possible with the help of an assistant. However, I will notify you of the specific dates 30-60 days in advance so you can make arrangements for alternate care in the event I will have to close. In the rare event I close for vacation time, payment is at your discretion. If no extra costs were incurred for my absence, your generosity would be most helpful for my family and very much appreciated!
Illness
A child who has vomiting, unexplained diarrhea or fever cannot be in my care. Your child may return to my care after his/her illness if he/she has not had vomiting, diarrhea or fever for 24 hours AND has not had ANY medication to treat those symptoms. This does not include antibiotics. I also cannot administer medications for the symptoms upon return of the child. If the child is not well, please keep him or her at home. This rule exists for the protection of all the children (including yours) and their families. If your child becomes ill while in my care, I will contact you to pick up your child as soon as possible. If you have not arrived to pick up your child within a reasonable time, I will contact another person who is authorized for pickup of your child.
Medication
I cannot administer any medication unless a there is a signed and completed medication form that instructs me in the dispensing of this medication. Medication must be in the original container.
Back-Up Care
There may be times when I am unable to work. I often have qualified assistants who can replace me if this occurs. However, it is your responsibility to arrange for a back-up caregiver in the event I do not have a replacement caregiver. It is wise to have this prearranged with a relative or another caregiver.
Pick-Up Rules
I will need the names and driver’s license numbers for anyone other than you who may pick up your child. When someone other than a parent will be picking up your child, please let me know. I will not release your child to anyone that is not on your list.
Mealtimes
Breakfast will be served at 8:30 am each morning unless stated otherwise.
Lunch is typically served between 11:30 am and 12:00 noon. An afternoon snack will be provided when the children wake up from their nap. Please refrain from bringing any food or drinks from home. This is against the Childcare Food Program guidelines.
Termination
You are required to give me a two-week notice if you are withdrawing your child from my care, regardless of the reason. Failure to give notice will make you liable for two-week’s childcare fees.
Emergency Procedures
Parents will be informed as soon as possible concerning any emergency situation. The children will practice fire and tornado drills on a regular basis. A fire escape route will be posted. In the event of:
Fire - the children and I will go to the Rowlett Community Centre on Main St.
Tornado – we will go to a closet off of the master bedroom with my cell phone and flashlight.
Injury to myself or a child – the ambulance will be called. Shane (my husband) or a substitute will be called to stay with the other children. I will go to the hospital in the ambulance with the child.
Forms
I am required by Texas law to keep certain necessary forms on file at my home. These forms are legal, binding documents. Please read them carefully and make sure both you and your spouse understand their meaning before signing. These forms must be completed, signed and returned to me before your child can be enrolled. It is your responsibility to keep your child’s immunizations current and updated in their file. You should provide any changes of contact phone numbers or addresses as soon as possible.
Photograph Release
I enjoy taking pictures of the kids participating in our activities. I post many of these pictures online to a photo-sharing and storage service such as flickr.com for you, your relatives and friends to view and download. I ONLY display initials of the children and never assign them a “tag” of any kind allowing random searches to display their photos. However, the link to your child’s “set” of pictures may be viewable by the public (anyone who happens to enter the exact, lengthy web link– which is difficult). A public setting, however, allows you to email links to your relatives and friends for viewing. A private setting for your child’s set will require your enrollment in the photo-storage service, free or otherwise. Please state below your preference and sign only if you consent to your child being photographed AND posted online, publicly or privately.
Photo Privacy Setting: Public Private (circle one)
“We agree to all items listed and described in this contract.”
Mother Date
Father Date
I AM REQUIRED BY LAW TO REPORT ANY SUSPICION OF CHILD ABUSE.