Daycare Contract Checklist 2026: What to Know Before You Sign
Complete guide to daycare contracts in 2026. What to look for, red flags, negotiation tips, and understanding your rights and obligations before signing.
Before you sign a daycare contract, you should understand exactly what you're agreeing to. Daycare contracts include tuition, policies, notice requirements, and other terms that affect your family for months or years.
This guide covers everything about daycare contracts in 2026: what to look for, common terms, red flags, and how to protect yourself.
Table of Contents
- Why Contracts Matter
- Essential Contract Terms
- Financial Terms
- Policies to Understand
- Red Flags in Contracts
- Negotiation Tips
- Your Rights and Obligations
Why Contracts Matter
Understanding what you're signing.
What Contracts Cover
Typical daycare contracts include:
- Tuition and payment terms
- Hours of operation
- Policies and procedures
- Notice requirements
- Termination conditions
- Parent responsibilities
- Daycare responsibilities
Read Before Signing
Why it matters:
- You're legally bound
- Policies affect daily life
- Financial obligations are real
- Prevents misunderstandings
- Protects both parties
Types of Agreements
You may sign:
- Enrollment agreement
- Parent handbook acknowledgment
- Financial agreement
- Authorization forms
- Health and emergency forms
Essential Contract Terms
What every contract should include.
Basic Information
Must include:
- [ ] Child's name and information
- [ ] Parent/guardian contact information
- [ ] Authorized pickup persons
- [ ] Emergency contacts
- [ ] Enrollment start date
- [ ] Schedule (days and hours)
Hours and Schedule
Look for clarity on:
- Operating hours
- Your child's specific schedule
- Drop-off and pickup times
- Flexibility (early drop-off, late pickup)
- Changing schedule process
Program Information
Should specify:
- Age group/classroom
- Teacher-to-child ratio
- Curriculum or approach
- Daily schedule
- Meals and snacks included
Financial Terms
The money matters.
Tuition and Fees
Understand these costs:
| Fee Type | What It Is | Typical Amount | |----------|-----------|----------------| | Registration | One-time enrollment fee | $50-250 | | Deposit | Holds spot, may apply to last month | 1-2 weeks tuition | | Weekly/monthly tuition | Regular payment | Varies | | Supply fee | Materials and supplies | $50-200/year | | Activity fee | Field trips, special events | Varies |
Payment Terms
Know:
- Payment due date
- Payment methods accepted
- Late payment penalties
- When payments are due (weekly, monthly)
- Auto-pay requirements
Late Fees
Common policies:
- Late pickup: $1/minute after grace period
- Late payment: $25-50 flat fee or percentage
- Grace period: 5-15 minutes typically
- When fees are charged
Tuition During Absences
Understand:
- Vacation days (if any credited)
- Sick days (usually still charged)
- Daycare closures (usually no credit)
- Extended absences
- Holiday weeks
Rate Increases
Look for:
- How much notice required
- How often increases happen
- Typical increase amount
- Whether locked in for term
Policies to Understand
Key policies in the contract.
Sick Child Policy
Should include:
- When child must stay home
- Required symptom-free period
- Return requirements (doctor's note?)
- How you'll be notified
- Medication administration policy
Termination and Withdrawal
Critical terms:
- Notice period required (typically 2-4 weeks)
- Notice format (written?)
- Financial obligations if you leave early
- Deposit return conditions
- Immediate termination conditions
Daycare's Right to Terminate
Understand when they can:
- End enrollment
- Reasons they can terminate
- Notice they must give you
- Process for behavioral issues
- Financial non-payment terms
Closures and Holidays
Know:
- Which holidays closed
- Weather/emergency closures
- Tuition during closures
- Notice requirements
- Make-up days (if any)
Communication Policies
Should specify:
- How they communicate (app, email, phone)
- Daily report expectations
- Parent-teacher conferences
- How to raise concerns
- Emergency communication
Red Flags in Contracts
What should concern you.
Financial Red Flags
Be cautious of:
- Excessive non-refundable deposits
- No written fee schedule
- Unclear about what's included
- Unreasonable late fees
- No refund under any circumstances
- Hidden fees not discussed
Policy Red Flags
Watch for:
- No written sick policy
- Vague discipline policies
- No clear communication procedures
- Resistance to parent visits
- Excessive restrictions on pickup
- Unusual liability waivers
Termination Red Flags
Concerning terms:
- Daycare can terminate with no notice
- You must give excessive notice (6+ weeks)
- No refund even if daycare closes
- Penalty fees for early termination
- No appeal process for dismissal
Missing Information
Should not be absent:
- Teacher qualifications
- Safety procedures
- Allergy/medical policies
- Emergency protocols
- Licensing information
Negotiation Tips
You can sometimes negotiate.
What's Negotiable
Sometimes flexible:
- Registration fee waived
- Deposit amount
- Start date
- Payment schedule
- Sibling discounts
- Notice period
What's Usually Fixed
Typically non-negotiable:
- Daily tuition rate
- Late pickup fees
- Operating hours
- Policies (for consistency)
- Required forms
How to Negotiate
Approach:
- Ask politely
- Explain your situation
- Offer alternatives
- Be prepared for "no"
- Get changes in writing
Scripts:
- "Is there any flexibility on the registration fee?"
- "Would you consider a sibling discount?"
- "Can we discuss the notice period?"
Get Everything in Writing
Important:
- Verbal promises aren't binding
- If they agree to changes, get it written
- Amendment should be signed
- Keep copies of everything
Your Rights and Obligations
Understanding the legal relationship.
Your Rights as a Parent
You are entitled to:
- Visit at any time (in most states)
- Access your child's records
- Be notified of incidents
- Information about who cares for your child
- Written policies
- Licensed, safe care
Daycare's Rights
They are entitled to:
- Timely payment
- Accurate information from you
- Proper notice of schedule changes
- Respect for policies
- Communication about your child
Your Obligations
You must:
- Pay on time
- Keep information current
- Follow policies
- Give required notice
- Pick up on time
- Communicate health issues
Daycare's Obligations
They must:
- Provide licensed, safe care
- Follow their stated policies
- Communicate with you
- Protect your child
- Maintain ratios
- Follow regulations
Before You Sign
Final checklist.
Questions to Ask
- "Can I take this home to review?"
- "Is the handbook part of the contract?"
- "What happens if I need to leave early?"
- "How much notice do you give for rate changes?"
- "What's not included in tuition?"
Review Checklist
- [ ] Read entire contract
- [ ] Read parent handbook
- [ ] Understand all fees
- [ ] Know termination terms
- [ ] Clarify any questions
- [ ] Get changes in writing
- [ ] Keep signed copy
Things to Keep
Save copies of:
- Signed contract
- Parent handbook
- Fee schedule
- All communications
- Receipts/payment records
- Incident reports
Contract Terms Quick Reference
Common Terms Defined
| Term | Meaning | |------|---------| | Registration fee | One-time enrollment cost | | Deposit | Refundable (usually) spot holder | | Tuition | Regular payment for care | | Notice period | Time required before leaving | | Grace period | Time before late fees start | | Pro-rated | Partial payment for partial month |
Typical Timelines
| Action | Typical Requirement | |--------|-------------------| | Give notice to leave | 2-4 weeks | | Rate increase notice | 30 days | | Pick up after closing | $1/minute | | Returned check fee | $25-50 | | Re-enrollment after drop | New registration fee |
Resources
- Find Quality Daycare Near You
- Questions to Ask Daycare Providers
- Daycare Costs Guide
- Switching Daycares
Last updated: December 2025