Creative Child Day Home Agency (CCDHA) has an established Fees Policy, which is:
IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY
CHILDCARE FEES
CHILDCARE AFFORDABILITY FUNDING ELIGIBILITY
BACKUP ARRANGEMENT
The Agency strives to offer continuous care for children by arranging backup care or alternative solutions when the FDH Program cannot provide childcare. However, backup care is not guaranteed and depends on the availability of licensed space and the willingness of other approved Programs to maintain ratios.
Backup care fees will be applied based on the option selected by families:
EXTENDED HOURS OF CARE
The agency offers and monitors extended hours of care to support families with shift or casual work schedules.
Extended care is available outside regular hours, from 6 PM to 10 PM, or on weekends.
MAINTAINING ATTENDANCE RECORDS
Accurate attendance records are crucial for ensuring safety and effective program management. This responsibility is shared between the FDH Educator and Parents. Proper documentation is necessary for preparing monthly government reports, securing support funding, and meeting Child Services audit requirements.
Parents are responsible for maintaining the attendance record, which includes daily sign-in/sign-out, totaling the hours of care at the end of each day, initialing daily, and signing the record at the end of the month.
TERMINATION
Termination During Placement:
If parents register their child and choose not to proceed with the placement, the fees paid for the month become nonrefundable. This policy takes effect immediately upon registration.
Termination During Adjustment Period (Enrollment Month) By FDH Educator Or Parents:
The first two weeks following the child’s enrollment serve as an adjustment period, during which either the FDH Educator or the parent may request termination if the arrangement is deemed unsatisfactory. Parents are responsible for paying for any days that care is provided. If termination occurs in the third week or later, parents are required to pay for the entire month.
Termination After Enrollment Month by Parents
Parents must provide one month’s written notice of termination to both the agency and the educator, unless extenuating circumstances exist. Parents are responsible for payment during the notice period, and care will continue for the child during this time.
Termination By FDH Educator
FDH Educators must provide one month’s notice of termination to the agency and the parent if they consider the care unsatisfactory. Care will continue for the child during the notice period.
SIBLING DISCOUNTS
FDH educators may offer sibling discounts, which will be specified in the Educator’s Additional Terms Agreement form.
HOLDING FEES
The FDH Educator may charge a holding fee of $100.00 to secure the spot, which will be applied toward the parent’s fees once care begins. Holding fees are non-refundable if parents register their child but decide not to proceed with the placement.
DROP-IN CARE
Drop-in care is available to FDH Programs but is not guaranteed. It depends on the FDH Educator’s ability to maintain ratios and available licensed space. Educators may set their own drop-in fees, which will be clearly outlined in the Additional Terms Agreement form.
Both the FDH Educator and parents must notify the agency as soon as drop-in care is needed. The agency requires at least one day’s notice to process the request, and the child’s portable emergency form must be in the FDH Educator’s possession before care begins.
SHORT-TERM CARE
Short-Term Care is an option available to families for periods ranging from a few weeks to a few months. It is not guaranteed and depends on the FDH Educator’s ability to maintain ratios and available licensed space. Parents must enroll their child(ren) with the agency for short-term care.
LATE PICK-UP / EARLY DROP-OFF FEE
Parents are encouraged to follow the agreed-upon schedule for dropping off and picking up their children from the program. If their child will be absent or arriving late, parents must notify the educator by 9:00 AM. Failure to do so will result in a late fee of $15 for every 15 minutes past 9:00 AM. Additionally, a fee of $15 will apply for every 15 minutes of late pick-up or early drop-off outside the contracted time. The educator is responsible for tracking late drop-offs, late pick-ups, and early drop-offs, and the corresponding fees must be collected directly from the parents.
OFF-SITE VISIT CHARGES
FDH Programs may charge for off-site excursions, if applicable. The agency is not responsible for these charges, and they must be collected directly from the parents.
STATUTORY AND PAID HOLIDAYS
The Agency and the FDH Programs observe the following statutory holidays, which are considered paid holidays and included in the monthly childcare fees:
Additionally, the FDH Programs are closed from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. These days are also paid holidays and are included in the monthly childcare fees.
Alternate Care on Closure Days
If parents require childcare during closure days, the Agency can assist in facilitating alternate care arrangements.
This will be a private agreement between the FDH Program and the parents, with the FDH Program responsible for collecting any associated fees directly from the parents.
FAMILY VACATIONS/CHILD’S ILLNESS
Parents are required to pay the full monthly childcare fees, regardless of days missed due to vacations, illness, PD days, or statutory holidays. No credits will be given for missed days.
EDUCATOR’S PLANNED VACATIONS
FDH Educators are encouraged to outline their planned holidays – whether paid or unpaid (if applicable) – and backup care arrangements in the Additional Terms of Agreement form. Parents will be informed of these arrangements during enrollment.
The agency will make efforts to assist parents with backup care options; however, this is not guaranteed and depends on the availability of spaces in other agency-approved day homes.
EDUCATOR’S UNPLANNED HOLIDAYS/ SICK DAYS OFF/ UNFORSEEN SITUATIONS
FDH Educators must promptly inform the agency and the families in care if they need to take unplanned holidays or time off due to emergencies or unforeseen situations and provide backup care arrangements.
EDUCATOR’S EXTENDED HOLIDAYS
FDH Educators must provide the agency and the families in care with 60 to 90 days’ notice if they plan to take an extended vacation. The agency will make efforts to assist parents with long-term backup care options in another agency-approved program; however, this is not guaranteed and depends on available spaces. The agency may offer the family a new day home program contract if needed.
By signing this agreement, I, the undersigned parent/guardian, acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to the fees policy outlined by the Agency. I understand that I am responsible for paying the fees associated with my child’s care, monthly fees, and any applicable additional charges as stated in the policy.
I further acknowledge that I am responsible for ensuring accurate attendance records are maintained and for paying any outstanding balances if my child does not meet the required attendance hours for funding eligibility.
By signing below, I confirm my understanding and agreement to the fees policy and my commitment to fulfilling my financial responsibilities related to my child’s care.
