Holiday Care Question

[snips&snails]

Hi! I opened my in-home childcare in November of this year & am trying to promote some holiday care days for shopping/etc. I was curious how others handle contracts/etc for these families? Also do we have to go through the whole packet of paperwork that the state requires (I am in California) for enrollees for a 1-timeonly child?
Thanks

[CrackerJacks]

I'm also in CA. Although I do not offer "night out care" if I did I would definetly have parents fill out all forms required by licensing prior to the actual night of care. I would also ask for payment up front at the time if reserving the space for their child for the evening.

[Angelsj]

Absolutely, for a couple of reasons. One, you NEED that information. If, by some off chance your liscenser should show up, you are on the hook. And two, it is VERY unusual for someone who needs you once, to only have it be that one time. I have had a "just this one time" child/family about 15 times over the years, and NEVER have they come "just that one time." There are other holidays, some evenings, just one day, etc. And sometimes they turn into full timers.

[AfterSchoolMom]

Definitely get the payment and forms up front, don't wait until the day of. Make that money nonrefundable as well, and make sure they sign something agreeing to that.

I have a drop-in contract for these occasions (one page vs my long version), and if your licensing requires certain forms, you should absolutely have them fill them out.