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Post by custardcream on Sept 26, 2007 14:14:32 GMT
Does anyone use their own contracts and if so could i be cheeky and ask for a template that i could maybe adapt. I am not very good with computers but at the moment i seem to be getting through so many contracts because parents keep changing days and hours etc, i thought that it will be much cheaper if i could make my own. But i dont really know where to start.
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Post by emmamarie on Sept 26, 2007 14:48:46 GMT
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Post by angeldelight on Sept 26, 2007 14:59:40 GMT
Do not forget though that if you are registed with NCMA you MUST use their contracts and not your own
Angel xx
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Post by custardcream on Sept 26, 2007 15:57:19 GMT
I am insured with morton michel, so i think it does`nt matter whar contracts i use, but correct me if i am wrong.
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Post by sarahnev707 on Sept 26, 2007 18:34:09 GMT
You are right ! What I did was got one pack from Morton Michel and copied their format, making it work for me.... Sarahx
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Post by custardcream on Sept 26, 2007 20:10:17 GMT
Hi sarah.
I have made a contract that i am happy with (i think). I am probably being really thick but i am very tired, how do you go about doing 2 copies ie: 1 for parents and 1 for me. Do you just have 2 copies of each and when filling them in have a sheet of duplicate paper between them? Sorry if i sound stupid but i really need to get this sorted.
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Post by son77 on Sept 26, 2007 20:26:35 GMT
I make up my own short term contracts and just print 2 of every page, then both parents & myself sign them, I have a copy & they have a copy.
I hope this is what you mean!
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Post by sarahnev707 on Sept 26, 2007 20:41:10 GMT
My printer photocopies! Probably unhelpful.... sorry Sarahx
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Post by susi513 on Sept 27, 2007 11:50:46 GMT
! You can be an NCMA member and still use your own contracts. As I understand it the disadvantages of using your own contracts are: - you are not allowed to use NCMA logo on any of your paperwork - you won't be able to use the NCMA legal REPRESENTATIVE service (the legal helpline remains available to ALL NCMA members regardless of whose contracts you've used) - its possible parents might accept your terms more readily if they are on NCMA paperwork it makes it look like NCMA have approved your fees & costs. - the wording you have chosen may not be as easily understood as you thought when you wrote it. You could find a parent or a court of law interprets a particular phrase in a different way to you. I'm happy to use my own contracts as I believe the savings I will make across my whole childminding career far outweigh the risks of a potential financial loss from a contract dispute in the future. I know that having NCMA represent you does not guarantee you will be paid what you are owed any more than a court ruling in your favour does if you have pursued the claim on your own. And as I now have a deposit from each parent which I keep til they leave as well as being paid in advance, I think the chances of them using up their deposit and advance payment and still owing me money are rather slim. My contracts are all slightly different as I have had a variety of different arrangements for different families. An older draft is here www.sueschildminding.co.uk/contract.hm. NB Its not the one I'm using now and hasn't been checked by a solicitor. Eventually I'll get around to compiling one template with all the phrases/form options so I don't run the risk of missing something out. I print two copies, one on white paper with "Childminder's copy, please sign & return" and one on yellow paper (or 2 if parents don't live together) "Parent/Guardian's Copy, please retain for your records". Make sure BOTH parents sign and date EVERY side of your contract.
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