Paperwork

[Chelsea]

I am going through and reorganizing all my daycare paperwork. There is SO much!!! I have been in business for almost 4 years. There is so much paperwork that my 2 drawer filing cabinet is full! How long do I need to hold onto the paperwork for past families? Example: I had a 2 year old 3 years ago that was only here for 2 weeks before I terminated. Do I need to keep her paperwork? All other past families paperwork? For how long? Here is what I have:

Signed contracts
Registration forms
Get to know your child form
Shots records
Incidents reports/pictures
Receipts
And more!

Should I keep everything? Can I throw some out? Should I just scan them and keep them on the computer? What does everyone else do?
If I need to I can get a bigger filing cabinet.

Thank you!

[Familycare71]

Search this- there was just a thread about this with a link to the answer. Or I'm sure blackcat or Michael will steer you to it

[Blackcat31]

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65920

I think this is the one

[SSWonders]

For children's records, not tax info, it would depend on your state's regulations. In Mass we have to save everything for 5 years from the date the child left our care.

[Unregistered]

Thank you ladies!!!! I'm going to get a larger filing cabinet just in case!