A daycare contract covers enrollment terms (schedule, hours, tuition $800–$2,500+/month by region and age), payment policies (tuition due regardless of attendance — the slot is what's purchased), late-pickup fees ($1–$2/minute standard), illness exclusion policies (fever thresholds, 24-hour symptom-free returns), withdrawal notice (2–4 weeks), authorized pickup lists and custody documentation, licensing and ratio compliance, vacation/holiday calendars, and termination rights both directions. Infant care prices highest due to mandated ratios (often 1:3–1:4).
Daycare Contract Template
Reviewed by the Agiled editorial teamUpdated June 2026
A daycare contract prices something parents sometimes misread: the slot, not the attendance. Tuition holds whether a child attends three days or five, through...
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Full template text
DAYCARE SERVICE CONTRACT
This Daycare Service Contract ("Agreement") is entered into as of [Date] by and between:
Provider: [Provider/Business Name], located at [Address], License Number: [Number], Phone: [Phone Number], Email: [Email] ("Provider")
Parent/Guardian: [Parent Full Name], residing at [Address], Phone: [Phone Number], Email: [Email] ("Parent")
1. Child Enrollment Information
| Name | Date of Birth | Allergies/Medical Conditions | Immunizations Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Child Name] | [DOB] | [Details or "None"] | [Yes / No] |
| Pediatrician: [Name], [Phone Number] | |||
| 2. Enrollment Type and Schedule | |||
| a) Enrollment Type: [Full-Time / Part-Time]. | |||
| b) Days of Care: [e.g., Monday through Friday]. | |||
| c) Hours of Care: [e.g., 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM]. | |||
| d) Start Date: [Date]. | |||
| e) This enrollment shall continue on a month-to-month basis unless terminated as provided in Section 12. | |||
| 3. Hours of Operation | |||
| a) The Provider operates from [Opening Time] to [Closing Time], Monday through Friday. | |||
| b) Early drop-off before [Time] is available for an additional fee of $[Amount] per occurrence. | |||
| c) Late pickup after [Closing Time] incurs a fee of $[Amount] per [15-minute] increment. | |||
| d) If a child is not picked up within [1 hour] of closing time and the Provider cannot reach any authorized pickup person, the Provider may contact local authorities. | |||
| 4. Tuition and Fees | |||
| a) Monthly Tuition: $[Amount], due on the [1st / 15th] of each month. | |||
| b) Registration Fee: $[Amount] (non-refundable, due at enrollment). | |||
| c) Supply Fee: $[Amount] per [year / semester]. | |||
| d) Tuition is due regardless of the child's absence due to illness, vacation, or holidays. | |||
| e) A deposit equal to [one month's tuition / $Amount] is required at enrollment and shall be applied to the final month of care or forfeited if proper termination notice is not given. | |||
| 5. Payment Terms | |||
| a) Payment is due on or before the due date specified above. | |||
| b) A late fee of $[Amount] shall be assessed for payments received more than [5] days past the due date. | |||
| c) Accepted payment methods: [Check / Cash / Credit Card / ACH Transfer / Online Payment]. | |||
| d) If tuition remains unpaid for more than [15] days past the due date, the Provider reserves the right to suspend care until the balance is paid in full. | |||
| e) Returned checks will incur a fee of $[Amount]. | |||
| 6. Holidays and Closures | |||
| a) The Provider shall be closed on the following holidays: [List all holidays, e.g., New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day]. | |||
| b) Full tuition is due for weeks containing holidays. | |||
| c) The Provider reserves the right to close for up to [Number] professional development days per year with at least [2 weeks'] advance notice. | |||
| 7. Illness Policy | |||
| a) The Parent agrees not to bring the child to the Provider if the child exhibits any of the following symptoms: fever of 100.4°F or higher, vomiting, diarrhea, undiagnosed rash, pink eye, head lice, or other communicable illness. | |||
| b) If a child becomes ill during the day, the Provider will contact the Parent, and the child must be picked up within [1 hour]. | |||
| c) The child may return to care after being symptom-free for [24 hours] without medication, or upon providing a doctor's note clearing the child to return. | |||
| 8. Medication Administration | |||
| a) The Provider will administer prescription medication only with a completed Medication Authorization Form signed by the Parent. | |||
| b) All medication must be in its original container with the child's name, dosage, and instructions clearly labeled. | |||
| c) Over-the-counter medication will be administered only with written authorization from the Parent and, where required, a doctor's note. | |||
| 9. Meals and Nutrition | |||
| a) The Provider shall supply [breakfast, lunch, and two snacks / lunch and one snack] daily. | |||
| b) Menus will be posted [weekly / monthly] and are available upon request. | |||
| c) The Parent shall notify the Provider of any food allergies or dietary restrictions in writing. | |||
| d) If the child has severe allergies, the Parent may be required to provide specialized meals or snacks. | |||
| 10. Discipline Policy | |||
| a) The Provider uses positive guidance techniques, including redirection, positive reinforcement, and age-appropriate consequences. | |||
| b) Corporal punishment, verbal abuse, isolation, and withholding food are strictly prohibited. | |||
| c) If a child exhibits persistent behavioral issues, the Provider will work with the Parent to develop a behavior plan. If the behavior continues to pose a safety risk to the child or others, the Provider reserves the right to disenroll the child with [2 weeks'] written notice. | |||
| 11. Liability and Insurance | |||
| a) The Provider maintains liability insurance in the amount of $[Amount] per occurrence and $[Amount] aggregate. | |||
| b) The Parent acknowledges that minor injuries may occur during normal childhood activities, including outdoor play, and agrees to hold the Provider harmless for such injuries except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. | |||
| c) The Parent shall maintain current health insurance for the child and shall provide proof of coverage upon request. | |||
| 12. Termination and Withdrawal | |||
| a) Either party may terminate this Agreement by providing [2 weeks' / 30 days'] written notice. | |||
| b) If the Parent withdraws the child without providing the required notice, the deposit shall be forfeited and any outstanding tuition for the notice period shall remain due. | |||
| c) The Provider may terminate enrollment immediately, without notice, if: the Parent fails to pay tuition for more than [30] days; the child poses a serious safety risk to other children or staff; the Parent engages in threatening or abusive behavior toward staff; or the Parent provides false information on enrollment documents. | |||
| d) Upon termination, the Provider shall refund any prepaid tuition for days after the effective termination date, less any outstanding fees. | |||
| 13. Emergency Contacts and Authorized Pickup | |||
| The following individuals are authorized to pick up the child and serve as emergency contacts: | |||
| Name | Relationship | Phone Number | Authorized for Pickup |
| ------ | -------------- | -------------- | ----------------------- |
| [Name] | [Relationship] | [Phone] | [Yes / No] |
| [Name] | [Relationship] | [Phone] | [Yes / No] |
| The Provider will not release the child to any person not listed above without prior written authorization from the Parent. Photo identification will be required for anyone not known to the Provider's staff. | |||
| 14. Confidentiality | |||
| The Provider agrees to keep all information about the child and family confidential, except as required by law or as necessary to ensure the child's safety. The Parent's contact information, financial information, and the child's medical records shall not be disclosed to third parties. | |||
| 15. Entire Agreement | |||
| This Agreement constitutes the complete understanding between the parties. Any modifications must be in writing and signed by both parties. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of [State]. | |||
| SIGNATURES | |||
| Provider Signature: ___________________________ Date: _______________ | |||
| Print Name / Business Name: ___________________________ | |||
| Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________ Date: _______________ | |||
| Print Name: ___________________________ |
- Tuition
- $800 – $2,500+ / month
- Late pickup
- $1 – $2 per minute
- Sick return
- 24 hrs symptom-free, typical
- Withdrawal notice
- 2 – 4 weeks
What your daycare contract should cover
Enrollment and schedule
Days and hours enrolled (full-time, part-time schedules by named days), the child's classroom/age group, start date, and any transition schedule. Schedule changes subject to availability — the part-time-to-full-time move waits for a slot like everyone else.
Tuition: the slot, not the attendance
Tuition due regardless of attendance — illness, vacation, weather closures within the stated allowance — because licensed ratios staff the space whether the child arrives or not. Stated plainly, because it's the most-misunderstood clause in childcare.
Payment terms and late fees
Due date (weekly or monthly, in advance), accepted methods, late-payment fees ($25–$50 plus suspension terms after a stated delinquency), registration and supply fees, and the annual rate-review notice (30–60 days).
The late-pickup meter
$1–$2 per minute after closing, payable promptly — not punitive but compensatory: two staff must legally remain with one child, after hours, every time. Chronic lateness (a stated count) becomes a termination ground.
Illness and exclusion policy
Exclusion thresholds (fever ≥100.4°F, vomiting, diarrhea, undiagnosed rashes), the return rule (24 hours symptom-free without medication, or a doctor's note), mid-day pickup obligations (within an hour of the call), and medication administration terms with authorization forms.
Authorized pickup and custody
The written pickup list with ID checks for anyone unfamiliar, no release on phone-call instructions alone, and custody documentation: the center follows court orders on file — without an order, both legal parents have pickup rights, and the contract says so to both.
Licensing, ratios, and safety
License number displayed, mandated ratios by age (infants commonly 1:3–1:4, toddlers 1:4–1:6, preschool 1:8–1:10 by state), mandated-reporter status acknowledged, and emergency/evacuation procedures referenced.
Calendar: holidays, closures, vacation
The annual holiday calendar attached, professional-development closure days, weather-closure policy (tuition holds within a stated allowance; extended closures credited per the clause), and whether the family's vacation weeks earn any tuition reduction (often a limited discount after 12 months).
Behavior, biting, and support plans
The developmental honesty clause: age-typical behaviors (biting in toddler rooms) handled with stated protocols, escalation through documented support plans and parent conferences, and disenrollment as a last resort with notice — except where safety requires immediacy.
Withdrawal and termination
Parents: 2–4 weeks' written notice (tuition due through the notice period — the slot can't refill instantly). Center: equivalent notice for fit/behavioral disenrollment, immediate for nonpayment past terms or safety issues. Deposits applied to final weeks per the clause.
Typical daycare terms (U.S., 2026)
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Infant care | $1,200 – $2,500+ / month | Ratio-driven premium |
| Toddler / preschool | $800 – $1,800 / month | Region-dependent |
| Registration fee | $50 – $200 | Annual, non-refundable |
| Late pickup | $1 – $2 / minute | After closing time |
| Fever exclusion | ≥ 100.4°F | 24 hrs clear to return |
| Withdrawal notice | 2 – 4 weeks | Tuition due through notice |
| Infant ratio | 1:3 – 1:4 | State-mandated |
Tuition varies enormously by region and program type. Ratios, licensing, exclusion criteria, and medication rules are set by state childcare regulations — the contract should track the license's requirements.
How daycare contracts work in practice
The sick-child call
10:40 a.m.: a fever of 101 in the toddler room. The contract's machinery runs: the parent is called and pickup is owed within the hour (the exclusion protects nine other families and the staff), the return rule is 24 hours symptom-free without fever reducers — not 'fever-free at drop-off,' which is how Tuesday's fever becomes Thursday's outbreak — and tuition holds through the absence, because the slot and the staffing held too. Centers that enforce exclusion consistently keep parent trust precisely because every family is both the caller and the called eventually.
The custody situation
A parent asks the center not to release the child to the other parent. The contract's answer is procedural, not personal: without a court order on file, both legal parents retain pickup rights and the center cannot lawfully refuse one — and with an order on file, the center follows it exactly. The center's duties: keep the documentation current, follow the authorized list and ID protocol for everyone else, and call law enforcement rather than adjudicate disputes in the lobby. Putting this in the contract at enrollment spares everyone the worst version of the conversation.
The withdrawal and the waitlist
A family gives notice — relocation, a nanny share, kindergarten. The 2–4 week notice clause does its quiet work: tuition runs through the notice period while the center works its waitlist (infant slots refill fast; odd part-time schedules slower — which is why some contracts scale notice by schedule type), the deposit applies to the final weeks per its terms, and records transfer on request with accounts settled. The mirror case matters too: a center disenrolling for fit gives the same notice and a transition that doesn't strand the family mid-week — except for safety or chronic nonpayment, where the contract reserves immediacy.
Mistakes that weaken a daycare contract
Treating tuition as attendance-based
Expecting sick-day or vacation credits misreads what's purchased: a staffed, ratio-compliant slot held year-round. The contract should say it plainly at enrollment — surprise is what breeds the disputes.
Soft late-pickup enforcement
Waived meters train chronic lateness, and two staff trapped after close nightly is how centers lose teachers. The per-minute fee, charged uniformly and promptly, is the kindest version of the boundary.
Releasing on a phone call
'My brother's picking up today, he's tall' is not authorization. Written list, ID checks, custody orders on file — no exceptions is the only policy that protects every child equally.
Vague illness thresholds
'Keep them home if sick' invites negotiation at drop-off. Numeric thresholds (100.4°F), named symptoms, and the 24-hour return rule make exclusion administrable and fair.
No withdrawal notice
A Friday 'we're done' leaves the slot empty and the budget short. The 2–4 week written notice with tuition through the period is standard because slots don't refill overnight.
How to use this template
- 01
Download the daycare contract template in Word or PDF.
- 02
Set the enrollment schedule, tuition, and the slot-not-attendance clause.
- 03
Add payment terms, late fees, and the per-minute late-pickup meter.
- 04
Write the illness exclusion thresholds and return rules.
- 05
Set the authorized-pickup protocol and custody documentation terms.
- 06
Attach the calendar and withdrawal notice terms, then sign at enrollment.
Skip this template if…
- In-home nanny employment — a nanny contract with household-employment tax and guaranteed-hours terms governs that relationship.
- Occasional babysitting — a simple babysitting agreement covers irregular care without enrollment machinery.
FAQs
How much does daycare cost?
Tuition runs $800–$2,500+ per month by region and age group, with infant care priciest because state-mandated ratios (often 1:3–1:4) make it the most staff-intensive. Registration fees ($50–$200 annually) and supply fees sit on top. Tuition is due regardless of attendance — the contract purchases a staffed slot, not days used.
Why do I pay daycare tuition when my child is absent?
Because the economics run on the slot, not the visit: licensed ratios require the center to staff the space whether the child attends or not, and the slot can't be rented to anyone else on sick days. It's the childcare equivalent of rent — some contracts soften it with limited vacation credits after a year's enrollment, but the baseline is industry-standard.
What are typical late-pickup fees?
$1–$2 per minute after closing, payable promptly — compensatory rather than punitive, since licensing requires two staff to remain with any child after hours. Most contracts make chronic lateness (a stated number of occurrences) a ground for disenrollment, because the fee covers the cost but not the staff's evening.
When can a daycare send a child home sick?
Per the stated exclusion thresholds: fever at or above 100.4°F, vomiting, diarrhea, or undiagnosed rashes — with pickup owed within about an hour of the call, and return after 24 hours symptom-free without medication (or a doctor's clearance). The policy protects every family in the room, including yours on the weeks you're the caller rather than the called.
Can a daycare refuse to release a child to a parent?
Only with a court order on file: absent one, both legal parents retain pickup rights and the center cannot lawfully refuse either. For everyone else, the written authorized-pickup list with ID verification governs — no releases on phone instructions alone. Centers follow documents and call law enforcement when needed; they don't adjudicate custody in the lobby.
How much notice is required to withdraw from daycare?
Two to four weeks' written notice, with tuition due through the notice period — the slot can't refill instantly, and the notice funds the gap while the waitlist works. Deposits typically apply to the final weeks. Centers owe equivalent notice for fit-based disenrollment, reserving immediacy for safety issues and chronic nonpayment.
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