Family with Multiple Kids--One Contract For All, Or A Contract For Each Kid?

[preschoolteacher]

The title explains it all! Should I have a contract for each kid or one contract that covers all three? The three children will have the same schedule although the younger one will not start in my program until several months down the road.

[Cradle2crayons]

If you are not charging a holding spot for the third one and they are only paying for the two, I'd do a contract for the two and when the third is added, do a new contract with all three on it.

That's what I do. I have a three sibling set and they have one contract right now. When school starts, the boy will go from ft to ater school and I will re do the contract.

The special needs baby had a contract and now that her brother is coming, they re did their contract to include both children.

[Blackcat31]

The title explains it all! Should I have a contract for each kid or one contract that covers all three? The three children will have the same schedule although the younger one will not start in my program until several months down the road.

I do ONE contract for each family. Regardless of the number of children

If the kids have different schedules, I do a separate schedule sheet for each child.

Then I sum up the whole thing on one contract page and that is where the parent signs and agrees.

HTH

[Familycare71]

I have a separate contract for infant/pre school and school age- so depending on ages they may have more than one. But if they were all in the same age category they would have one contract. Also my policies are the same so they only get one set of those...

[Starburst]

I would do one contract but make sure that it needs to be renewed when one of their kids ages out (example if you only do care until age 5/6 and the oldest is leaving for kinder; maybe contract expires when the oldest child is expected to start kinder) or if they decided to make other arrangements for one of the child (such as sports or other extracurricular activities).

[MarinaVanessa]

I do one contract PER CHILD because for me it is easier to keep one file for each child. I'm required to keep certain licensing paperwork per child also so I find it easier to keep separate files for each. It also helps me in instances when a family of two children enrolls and later one child's' needs changes like if one goes to preK or needs only PT care or if the one child moves on to school etc. Then I only have to have the one child's contract changed.

I would imagine that it would also help if the provider is offering a sibling discount. You can charge the younger child the regular amount and apply the discount to the older child and once the older child outgrows the program then that child's contract can be canceled and the other child's contract is left untouched.

I simply find it easier.

[Sunnyyy1]

I do one contract for each child, it makes my paperwork easier.

[coolconfidentme]

Mine are all on the same contract. (I have a family of 4!) It is scanned into all electronic files & copied for the individual folder. Each child has a enrollment information form with the specifics on him/her.

[Brooksie]

My handbook and my agreement are separate. I would have them sign off on one handbook and then do an agreement for each child. The agreement includes hours cared for, tuition for that child, late fees and what not. Financial and hourly stuff.

[Crazy8]

I have separate contracts for each child. I keep a file for each child and I want contracts for each of them in there along with individual immunization records, etc - would be way too confusing to have the paperwork for 2-3 kids in one folder. Also, chances are they will leave my care at different times (if they leave to go to school) and I keep current kids separate from withdrawn kids. Basically, it would screw up my whole filing system to have one contract per family!

[MommieNana4]

I do one contract for each child.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I do one contract for each child.

I did as well for sibling sets.