In-Home Caregiver or Tutor Service Agreement

What a good one includes

• A detailed breakdown of specific duties, whether that involves academic instruction in a particular subject, homework help, meal preparation, or transportation to extracurricular activities.
• Clear definitions of hourly rates, overtime compensation, holiday pay, and the exact schedule for disbursements.
• A precise schedule of required hours, including policies for federal holidays, school breaks, and paid time off.
• Explicit boundaries regarding screen time, internet use, guest policies, and access to private areas of the home.
• A privacy clause that protects your family's personal details, academic records, and home privacy by restricting social media posting.
• A fair termination process outlining how either party can end the agreement, including the required notice period and severance terms.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Failing to define how much notice a tutor or family must give for a missed session, which leads to scheduling conflicts and lost income disputes.
• Treating regular, long-term household employees as independent contractors, which can result in severe tax penalties for the hiring family.
• Neglecting to include explicit authorization for medical treatment and emergency contact procedures, which puts both the caregiver and the child at risk.
• Keeping an outdated contract active as a child's academic or developmental needs change, leading to scope creep and uncompensated labor.

Frequently asked questions