Do I Really Need a Childcare Contract

Many times in this business, I hear providers say, I don't really need a daycare contract. But oh you do! A contract protects you and backs you up in so many ways. Think about if you were haggling with a parent who doesn't want to pay when their child is home sick. If you already had those policies written out and the parents had signed it, you'd have back up for your situation.

Contracts cover time and money, and policies cover everything else. Anything you want parents to know ahead of time goes into these two things. For more information on how to write them and to see the ones I've been using since 1995, click on home daycare contracts and policies here.

I have changed a few things here and there in these and DHS has required us to add a lot of ridiculous things in our policies here in Oklahoma a few years ago, but these have served me well.

When I do a daycare interview with a family, I go over each thing in the contract and touch on the important policies that I care about with them. That way they see them, they hear them, and they sign them. This takes care of a lot of the unknowns that may come up later. I don't ever just hand them the contract and let them sign it. I want them to know my expectations.

I also use the interview time to ask them their expectations so I know that up front too. I want to start the relationship off the best way we can. I hope these tips help you develop great relationships with your daycare families so you can have a more successful business for you, your parents, and your family.

Need help writing your contract? Get an editable daycare contract here. You can also get editable daycare policies here.

Growing Luffa Sponges with Kids

Growing a garden with kids is super rewarding. I love seeing them get excited about finding a new tomato that's ripe or eating strawberries or peas fresh off the plant. They learn so much from gardening as well as get nourishment from it. It's amazing to watch kids try new things they would never try before.

I love growing unusual things with my kids because it's interesting, I learn a ton, and it's conversation inspiring as they teach other people what they have learned about growing things.

Did you know that luffas actually grow on a vine? They are a gourd. Yes, those sponges that you buy in spa packages actually can be grown in your back yard if you have plenty of hot days in the summer where you live.

You can grow luffas with your daycare kids and have a super fun learning experience for yourself and the families you serve. All you need is a tiny seed.

Click here to see more about how to grow luffa with kids in your children's garden.

Just a quick thought...

Many of you have decided to reopen your daycare at the start of this month. Many of you have never closed, and a big handful of you are just getting started. No matter your position, I bet you are feeling a bit nervous for many reasons and rightfully so. Upon arrival, you are taking the temperature of the children each day, making sure they are practicing social distancing while at care, washing their hands frequently, being creative as you teach, cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing 10 times more than normal, on top of all of the normal chaos that you deal with on a day to day basis when it comes to having childcare. The best advice we can give you during this time is to BREATHE. Go ahead and do it. No matter where you are, stop, close your eyes and take in a DEEP breath and then release. Felt good, didn't it?! One day at a time is all you can do during this time. Here is an exercise I want you to try: I want you to visualize just one day in your program. I mean really sit there and picture how you want it to go from the time parents drop kids off until the time parents pick their kids up. Journal what you visualize and in doing so you will begin to SEE what you need to implement to make your day go by smoother. This type of visualization may seem a bit much, but I believe it will do wonders for you and help you to get organized during these crazy times. If you decide to try, let me know how it goes for you!