Child Care Contract for SAHM

[pixie2603]

My husband is leaving with the Army for 4 months. We just moved to a new town hours away from family, and so I'll be a single mom while he's gone. We decided to find another SAHM to watch my daughter a few hours a week to give her some interaction and me a chance to grocery shop, go to the library, doctor, etc.

I'm in need of a contract that is made for someone watching a child in their own home with their own children.

Any suggestions?

Thank you!

[rubidoux]

What sort of terms are you looking for?  And why do you think you need a contract?  Like, what is the goal of the contract?

eta:  I'm a lawyer, and maybe I'm over-lawyer it, lol.  But I'm wondering if it would be sort of empty anyway.  Like, are you thinking the contract will make it easier to sue the SAHM if she doesn't meet the terms of your agreement?  Bc that is generally why people have contracts.  But it's hard to believe that it could ever be worth suing a SAHM, kwim?  Either the damages would be too small or the SAHM wouldn't be able to pay if they were large enough to bother suing for.  Also, if I was to babysit for another mom a couple of days a week, I think I'd either be scared off by being asked to sign a contract or I'd say "okay, but then my price is going to be enough to make that sort of stress worthwhile."

[HappyMommy2]

I would not do this without a contract.  It makes all expectations very clear, in writing, and agreed-upon.  It makes the agreement "official".  It isn't necesarily to sue somebody later, it is just so that everyone is on the same page.

Think about things you do/don't want.

i.e.

No visitors/boyfriends etc.

No spanking

Gentle discipline only (and give specifics)

Goal is to give loving attention

etc.

[nextcommercial]

I've done searches, and I can only find contracts for daycare providers.  

http://www.daycarematch.com/resources_forms.asp  This might have some ideas though.

Here is one, but it's more for a Nanny in your own home.  It still might have some ideas for you.  http://www.suite101.com/content/child-care-contracts-a21236

[Tigerchild]

You should also probably include an agreement to pay a certain $ amount if you are late, ect, or other protections that at least make it seem like it serves both parties, as well as what to do if either one of you is sick (or if she becomes ill while the kid is in care).  Also, you should agree on what to do if your child is sick (is she okay with watching her if she has a cough/runny nose?  will you use the health department guidelines, no fever for 24 hours unmedicated, ect.).  Maybe a suggested length of time in advance to make known schedule changes (on either of your parts) as well.

[OkiMom]

Another thing you might want to add in is what to do in case of emergency. Obviously you want her to contact you ASAP but do you want her to drive the children to the ER, wait for you etc.. Also proper carseat use information if you plan on giving her permission to transport your child anywhere.

[ollyoxenfree]

I would discuss upfront how you both want to address issues as they arise. You should regularly review with the care provider how your child is doing, if there are problems that need intervention, and if so, what kind of intervention.... Will that happen at a weekly meeting, or with an e-mail exchange or a journal that goes back and forth with the child etc. (A daily journal with a brief note about what the child ate and did is nice to have in any case - I really appreciated this from one care provider we had.) 

Too often, parents and casual care providers don't deal with this important item, figuring they'll just talk about stuff as it happens. Then you read a post here on MDC about "At my care provider's _______ happened...." or "I'm taking care of this child and _______ happened" and the advice is always, "Talk to them". 

Depending on how strongly you feel about the following issues, you may want to put them in writing:

- type of food (eg. only food from home, only organics, no gluten or nuts or dairy.....)

- type of activities (eg. no screen time, only PBS shows, only DVDs from home, no computer time, only approved sites.....)

- child to remain at the home, or trips to the park and library and shops are okay, but walking only or whatever restrictions on travel you want

- no substitute care providers without your prior knowledge (she can't leave her with a neighbour while she runs to the store)

- discipline methods

[LynnS6]

You might think about posting over on the Working and Student Parents board. A couple of the moms there do home day care, and many parents there use daycare and so have seen contracts.