contract

GENERAL INFORMATION

     Registered daycare providers must have the cooperation of the parents to do their best for your child. When the parents and daycare provider work together, the daycare environment will be a happy place for all. Parents are encouraged to discuss concerns or problems with the daycare provider at any time but not in front of the child. I am free to discuss problems or concerns with you at anytime.
     I strive to provide a fun, safe, family atmosphere for your child to come and interact with other children, learn about themselves, and learn about the world around them.
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS

   All required forms must be completed and returned to me within two (2) weeks of enrollment. If the forms are not completed within the specified time, daycare may be terminated. Maryland state law requires the daycare provider to have these forms on file at all times. Enrollments are accepted when there is an opening available, however no child will be enrolled without the following forms:

        All about my child
        Signed Contract
        Health Inventory
        Immunization Record
        Emergency Information Card
        Making the difference for your child handbook (signed form)
        Permission slips (car, administering medicine, etc.)
        *Custody papers in the case of a separation or divorce
There are no exceptions to this policy.

PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents are responsible for providing the following:

             *     For infants: essentials baby items to include diapers, bottles, formula, baby food, baby wipes, and two (2) complete changes of clothing. You may bring diapers, wipes, formula, and baby food in bulk.

             *      For toddlers and older children: At least one (1) complete change of clothing and appropriate clothing for outdoor play.

Contact the provider if any changes have been made such as, child being picked up at school or child will not be in daycare that day.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

   Parents are required to provide emergency information to the daycare provider. It is very important that at least two (2) emergency contacts are given. Make sure you have given complete and accurate names and phone numbers. Emergency contacts should be available during daycare hours and within a one (1) hour drive time to the daycare. Parents should inform these persons that their names and numbers have been given to the daycare and discuss their responsibility. Parents should keep daycare informed of any changes in the emergency information provided to the daycare.

MEDICATIONS

    **NOTE** be sure to let the daycare provider know if your child has either special medication problems or allergies.

    I prefer not to give medication to children. I will only administer medications prescribed by a doctor on a label bearing the physicians name, child’s name, and directions for administration. Over the counter medication will be administered if a written permission slip from the parents along with directions for administration is provided.   Parents/Guardians are required to administer the first dose of prescription medication. Please keep your child under your supervision for 12 hours after administering the first dose before returning to daycare.

ILLNESS

Child Care Administration and Maryland State Regulations prohibit me from admitting any child who is too ill to be in a group setting. Should your child become ill during his/her day here, you will be notified and we will determine the best course of action concerning appropriate care, which may include the child being taken home. You will be notified for any but not limited to the following reasons:

       * Oral temperature of 101 degrees or higher
       * Vomiting once
       * Diarrhea
       * Uncontrollable or persistent cough
       * Appearance of acute illness or complaint of severe pain

    A child whom is obviously sick needs peace and quiet and is not likely to get it at daycare. I will respect your need to be at work, however I ask that when deciding if your child should be at daycare you give consideration to the other children at daycare and ask yourself how you would feel if your child were at daycare and well and another child were as ill as your child is now.
    Every attempt will be made to ensure that your child is in a safe environment, however accidents do occur. In the event of a serious accident, you will be contacted. If you or your emergency contact persons cannot be reached, emergency actions or whatever means necessary will be taken to provide the best care for the health of your child. You will be responsible for the cost of medical help or treatment that is required due to accidents or illness.

Parents may not bring a child to daycare if:

       *Any communicable disease/virus that has not been treated with medication for at least 12 hours
       *Child has any rash or acute onset associated with fever or symptoms of illness
       *Child has oral temperature of 100 degrees or greater
       *Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea within 12 hours of coming to daycare
       *Child has impetigo with less than 24 hours of treatment with an antibiotic

A child who has had a communicable disease may return to daycare under the following limitations:

       *Chicken Pox: When the last blister has been scabbed for 48 hours
       *Pin Worm: Any time after being on medication for 36 hours
       *Ring Worm: With the onset of medication and it is properly covered
       *Strep Throat: Any time after being on medication for 24 hours
       *Ear Infection: Any time after being on medication for 24 hours

TOYS

     I do not encourage children to bring toys to daycare unless they are security toys. Toys are easy to misplace and be forgotten. Please label any items that are brought from home. Please tell older children who insist upon bringing toys that they will be expected to share their toys with other children. I am not responsible for lost/broken toys. I provide a wide variety and quantity of toys for all children to play with. Occasionally toys get broken as this is to be expected. However, if your child is responsible for an excessive amount of toys being damaged or destroyed, you will become responsible for the replacement of these toys.

MEALS

   Breakfast, lunch, and one (1) snacks will be provided to the children depending on their hours. Breakfast will be severed from 7:00am to 8:00am. Lunch will be severed from 11:30am to 12:00pm. If your child is not here during these times please help us stay on schedule by having him or her feed. I will strive to provide healthy and nutritious food and snacks. Any special dietary requirements for your child should be discussed with the daycare provider. Snacks may be sent from home as long as there is enough for everyone.

PROPERTY DAMAGE

   I strive to provide a safe and sound home for your child to attend. Normal wear and tear to personal property is accepted. However if accidents occur where there is damage to personal property (i.e. walls, chairs, windows, fence, furniture, etc.) that is beyond normal wear and tear and your child is responsible for the damages you will become responsible for cost of repairs.

REST TIME

A daily rest period will be scheduled for all children under school age. Children will rest on individual mats in a quiet, peaceful area. Rest time is flexible and may be extended according to the needs of the child. Not every child is expected to sleep, but it is offered as a much needed time for the child to rest. Blankets and mats will be provided by daycare.

VACATION

Parents are required to give sufficient notice when the child is to leave on vacation. Parents will be required to pay the regular weekly fee in advance.
The daycare provider will have ten (10) paid Vacation days a year. The provider will give two (2) weeks notice to parents/guardians prior to using those days. The provider will also have eight (8) paid Sick / personal days per year. If these days go unused they will be carried over to the next year. Every effort will be made to notify parent/guardian in advance in the event of illness to the daycare provider.
   An updated list of holidays will be provided to the parent/guardian every year by January 1.All other days the provider is absent will be leave without pay. The daycare provider will make every attempt to notify parent/guardian of leave without pay.

POWER FAILURE

In the event the power goes out and is expected to be out longer than two hours, Child Care Administration requires daycare to close until power is restored. Parents will be notified to come pick up their children as soon as possible.

PAYMENT

Payment is due in advance whether your child attends or not unless special arrangements have been made ahead of time. Rates are determined by the amount of hours your child is at daycare. Payments are due on Mondays. A $5.00 a day late charge will be added if your payment is not made on time. A $5.00 late charge per child will also be added for every 10 minutes you are late to pick up your child unless you make 48 hour prior arrangements. A $5.00 charge will be added if you arrive early (before 7:00am). Your child will not be allowed to return to daycare until all payments and fees have been paid. Checks will be accepted, however, if a check is returned from the bank, the parents will be charged a $30.00 service fee and no further checks will be accepted. Only cash, certified check, or money order will be accepted for the final week’s pay.
Children that are in school will be charged an additional $10.00 a day if school is out for holiday or inclement weather. School age children that stay in daycare during the summer will be charged a slightly higher fee due to the added food cost as well as them being here all day for the summer only. Rates will be discussed with the provider and agreed upon by June 1st

HOUSE RULES

1. No name calling or foul language
2. No hitting, kicking, pushing, biting, hair pulling, running , or spiting
3. No climbing on the trees or fence
4. No picking up other children

TERMINATION

The daycare provider reserves the right to terminate any child from daycare for any of the following reasons but not limited to:

          *Failure to abide by the policies set forth in this contract
          *Irreconcilable differences between the parent and provider
          *Destructible or hurtful behavior

A two (2) week written notice is required by either party to terminate care unless there is a breach of contract. Any violation of this contract is just cause for termination of childcare. Two weeks notice and or two weeks pay is required for termination. This contract is under a two (2) week trial basis and either party may terminate this agreement in those two (2) weeks.

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