Contract & Rate Agreement

CONTRACT AND RATE AGREEMENT


We (I), ______________________& ___________________, have received and read the Val’s Butterfly Garden Child Care Handbook of Policies and Procedures and will comply with all provisions contained therein, and shall at this time enter into an agreement with Valerie Griffin, of  Val’s Butterfly Garden Child Care for the care of my (our) child (ren)

Starting Date: __________________ Ending Date: _______________

Contracts are renewed: __________________

Child's Full Name: _________________________________

Date of Birth: ___________________________

The contracted days and hours are as follows:
Days Required:
M     T     W     TH     F
                                                Infant Daily Fee            $
                                               Toddler Daily Fee         $
                                               Preschool Daily Fee      $
                                               School-Age Daily Fee   $
                                               Nursery  Daily Fee        $

Extra slip will be attached for children with varying schedules

Monday ______ am/pm to ______ am/pm

Tuesday ______ am/pm to ______ am/pm

Wednesday ______ am/pm to ______ am/pm

Thursday ______ am/pm to ______ am/pm

Friday ______ am/pm to ______ am/pm

These rates will be charged regardless of the child's attendance.

Fees

The agreed upon fee for the Provider's services is stated above. Monthly fees are required to be paid to Val in the form of post dated cheques on the Friday preceding the first week of the month. The weekly fees are due and required to be post dated for the Friday before the week of care commences. If fees are not received on the Friday before the week of care commences, a $10 charge will be required with a $5 fee for each additional day that the payment continues to remain unpaid (including Saturday and Sunday). Any checks returned to the Provider NSF will be due in cash, with any accrued late fees and assessed bank charges. I understand that when my childcare fees are not paid in a timely fashion it may result in termination of care. I understand that upon any such termination, I will still owe my childcare provider any monies due to her for childcare services rendered and all other applicable fees.

The agreed upon pay schedule is as follows:

Monthly postdated cheques made payable in two week increments, payable the Friday before care commences.

Note: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Overtime

Overtime is considered any time outside the agreed time interval.

Drop-off before contracted hours of __________a.m. and pick-up __________p.m. The following charges will be assessed for overtime incurred, payable the same week of service per child.

$20.00 per hour per child for prearranged overtime (with a 24 hour notice) per child.

OR:

$5.00 for the first 15 minutes. $1 per each additional minute, when time wasn’t prearranged.

*These late fees are put into place to discourage early drop offs and late pick ups. Through my experience I have formed the belief that regular extra long days in childcare are not in the best interest of children.

The provider is under no obligation to provide an extension of time if it will conflict with plans. Late arrival does not justify late departure.

Lack of enforcement of a certain policy at any time does not indicate that the particular policy is no longer in effect.

Deposit

A deposit equal to 1 week of care per child is due upon the signing of the agreed contract. If the decision is made to cancel by the parent(s) at a future date, before the child begins attending the Provider's childcare, the deposit is forfeited.

This deposit will be applied to last 1 week of care given by the Provider. (The last week of the 2-week notice). Also this deposit can be applied to any late fees or overtime or NSF Cheque charges accumulated by the parent(s). These fees will only be deducted with the parents notice via a handwritten/computer-generated note, dated and signed by both parties.

Enrollment Start Date

Once the contract is signed and care does not commence within that first month, 1 week of daycare payment per month is required to hold your child’s spot in post dated cheques as per your contracted fees until the actual start date of care commences.

Illness

The provider will not accept any child (ren) in her care if the child (ren) has any of the following: vomiting, diarrhea, or temperature over 101 degrees. If a child develops any of the previous, the parent(s) will be contacted. It will be expected that the child (ren) will be picked up as soon as possible. You have 2 hours to pick your child up before I will contact your emergency contacts. If a child becomes ill but does not have any of the previous symptoms, the child (ren) will be made comfortable and the parent(s) will be contacted. The provider will have the option of requesting that the child be picked up.

If a child is ill: It is the parent’s responsibility to keep the ill child at home or to find an alternative arrangement. Bringing an ill child into childcare risks the health of all others in attendance and is unacceptable.

If the Provider is ill: If the Provider is ill the parent(s) will be notified immediately that care for the child (ren) will not be available due to illness so that the parent(s) can find alternative care for the child (ren). Full fees required for a maximum of 5 sick days per calendar yr. The Provider will not be paid for any days that exceed the 5 allotted sick days. The parent is responsible for finding back-up care.

Vacations

A. Parent(s) are to give the provider ample notice when taking a vacation (meaning at least 2 weeks written notice). Please leave childcare payments with me prior to your departure. I will hold these cheques until the appropriate dates. Your regular fee will be required to hold your place until you return.

B. The Provider will take three weeks unpaid vacation (15 days off per year). The parent(s) will be given ample notice (meaning at least 2 weeks written notice) so that the parent(s) can make alternative arrangements for care of the child (ren). It is the responsibility of the Parents to find alternate care. You will not be charged for when I am off, however, I may request a “long weekend” or schedule individual days instead of a full week at a time. You will be notified of this instance once I confirm plans.

Personal Days

Parents will be notified in writing (at least 2 weeks notice) what specific days (6 in total) will be taken by the Provider without pay.  In cases of tragedy or sudden loss of a loved one, you will be given as much notice as possible given the circumstances.

Back Up Child Care

Parents are responsible for finding back up childcare. Please ensure that you have back-up care available to you. I can never know when to expect an emergency or when my family or I may become ill. The amount of notice I can give you is never known, and I may have to call you in the wee hours of the morning. Please be prepared so fewer conflicts arise. This is your responsibility.

Holidays

I will not provide care on any major holidays. Val’s Butterfly Garden Child Care will be closed and regular payment for these observed holidays will be charged. Even if you are taking time off at Christmas, these fees will be due. They are major holidays and I am closed regardless of your vacation schedule.

The Parent(s) will pay for the following dates if care falls on these dates: Some dates will be changed to reflect the day of closure.

Christmas Eve Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Family Day
New Years Eve
New Years Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Victoria Day
Canada Day
Civic Holiday
Labour Day
Thanksgiving

Please arrange for back-up care if needed. I can provide you with the number of a backup provider if you are in need. I cannot guarantee her availability. You will also be responsible for payment of her fees for those days as well.

These are paid holidays and your fee will not be reduced during my closure for these Holidays. Please note that if you intend on taking holidays during this time, my regular fee for the Statutory Holidays is still due, and you will only need to use the excess amount of days required for your vacation. These days are paid and the appropriate (2 weeks) written notice is required for anything over 1 day off.

Clothing

The child (ren) must be dressed appropriately for the weather. The child (ren) must also be dressed for normal daily activities. The parent(s) should provide a change of clothing in case of an accident. I also require hats (per season) and mitts that will stay here for use while in care.

TV note

The children will watch some educational, entertaining shows that are age appropriate, however, I will limit the time they do spend watching. The TV is occassionally used as a transitional activity (during menu preparations or pick-up/drop-off time) or for quiet time for older children.

Damages

While we all realize there will be wear and tear on all the childcare equipment, if your child intentionally damages our toys, furnishings, equipment or property, through destructive behaviour or roughness, you will be liable for the damages.

Termination

Either parent(s) or the Provider may terminate this Agreement by giving a two-week written notice to the other party. Payment will be required for those two weeks, whether your child continues in my care or not. If the Provider is not given a two-week notice the parent(s) will be charged for that two weeks of service and the deposit will then be forfeited.

If violations of this agreement occur, immediate termination of care will occur. No notice is required. Care will be terminated immediately. In this instance, all fees will be due immediately. Your deposit will not be applied to care, and will be forfeited. All fees will be due up to and including the full week’s fees that you are being terminated. Failure to pay your fees after termination will result in legal action being taken to recover my fees from you.

Probation

There will be a two-week probation period for Full Time children and a one-month probation for Part Time children after the start date of the child (ren). Either the parent(s) or the Provider may terminate the agreement during this period. During these two weeks, if either the provider or the parent terminates from care, fees are due up to and including the final day of the second week. If the contract is terminated before the two-week period is up, by the provider for non-compliance with this agreement/contract and the points herein, then the parent WILL LOSE THEIR DEPOSIT. If the parent terminates, with just cause, after the initial “trial period” the deposit will be used toward their last week of care.

Pets

The childcare provider has no pets. I am aware that previously, there were 2 cats living in the home and as a result, some cat dander may exist.

Supplies

Please provide (as applies) 2 boxes of wipes per child and adequate diapers for my two change stations.

Any special dietary food required by your child (ren), and a toothbrush if you wish your child to brush after lunch.

The following documentation was shown by Val’s Butterfly Garden Child Care to the Family:
*  Val’s Butterfly Garden Child Care Handbook
*  Early Childhood Education Diploma

A 1 Week Deposit of $___________ was received to hold a spot for the above child (ren).

And if applicable post dated cheques in the amount of $________per week/or month were received until care commences.

Childcare fees are due and payable on the first day that care commences.

I / We agree not to hold Valerie Griffin or anyone in her household or acting as backup provider liable for accidental injury to my child/(ren), which may be incurred during the daily operation of providing childcare.

I/We agree to abide by the written terms of this Contract/Financial Agreement. The provider may amend any terms and must give the parent’s at least 2-weeks notice of any change.


Date: ____________


____________________________________________________
Provider Signature


_____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature


_____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature


By signing the above, the Parent/Guardian(s) are acknowledging they have read and agree to the above contract and the Parents Handbook/Policies

Rates effective beginning September 2009
Rates are renewed on your anniversary start date, and all fees are applicable to a 5% yearly increase every January.