A 5-Key Guide to Protect Your Family and Your Care Provider #
You’ve found the perfect match to help you at home. Now you’re at the stage of drafting a family care services contract. This document isn’t just paperwork: it’s your safety net. It clarifies expectations, protects the relationship, and serves as your source of truth in case of doubt. By keeping communication within Margot’s messaging, you benefit from timestamped exchanges, useful traceability in case of a dispute, and protection compliant with Quebec’s Law 25.
Did you know that most challenges encountered during family care services stem directly from a gap between each party’s expectations? In this guide, we offer five essential keys to help you highlight the responsibilities of both the family and the partner you’ll welcome into your home.
First, it’s important to understand what a family care services contract is. Then, let’s look at why it’s important to draft one. We’ll also suggest templates adapted to the type of service you’re looking for.
What is a Family Care Services Contract? #
Why do you need a written agreement with your nanny or caregiver? #
A family care services contract is an agreement, preferably written, between a family receiving services and a provider offering them. It highlights the expectations and responsibilities of both parties in a clear and detailed manner, covering as many blind spots as possible to ensure smooth collaboration.
This agreement complies with the laws and regulations in force in Quebec while ensuring it benefits both parties. It serves as a foundation to define the nature of the service, needs, conditions, and expectations of each party.
In what ways does a family agreement vary from a conventional job contract? #
Unlike a traditional employment contract, a family care services contract takes into account the particularity of the family environment: the privacy of the home, the relationship of trust with children, and the daily flexibility required. It must therefore balance professionalism and the human dimension inherent to these services.
Service Contract or Employment Contract: What the Law Changes #
Is my provider an employee or a self-employed worker? #
A family care services contract can be a service contract (self-employed worker – C.c.Q. 2098–2129) or an employment contract (employee – C.c.Q. 2085–2097 + Act respecting Labour Standards (ALS)).
Employee indicators: imposed schedule, supervision, inability to be replaced, integration into daily routines. → The family becomes an employer (minimum wage, payroll deductions QPP–QPIP–EI, notice ALS s. 82, safe workplace AROHS s. 51).
Self-employed indicators: choice of methods/schedules, equipment provided by the provider, ability to refuse a mandate, assumed financial risk.
👉 It’s not the contract label that decides; it’s the reality of the relationship. If you are in doubt, name the scenario in the agreement and retain proof (exchanges in Margot).
2. Why is it Essential to Use a Family Care Services Contract? #
Is it really necessary to put everything in writing with my caregiver? #
A written agreement aims to ensure a fair, good-faith balance of power between the parties. It prevents confusion, grey areas, and potential gaps in how the service delivery is perceived. The family care services contract becomes the source of truth to refer to at all times and should be improved over time.
What are the advantages of a family care services contract? #
Mutual protection
A well-drafted family care services contract protects both the family and the provider. For the family, it guarantees that agreed-upon services will be delivered according to established standards. For the provider, it ensures recognition of their work, clarity of expected tasks, and security of compensation.
Prevention of Misunderstandings
Do you find this burdensome or unnecessary and prefer to act intuitively? This is a normal reflex when everything goes well at first. However, vagueness necessarily leads to divergent perceptions.
You’ll quickly see the need to put expectations into writing when, for example, your provider offers treats to your child just before bedtime when you prefer no sugar in the evening, or when they arrive late one day, certain the expected arrival time was 6 p.m. and not 5:30 p.m. The devil is in the details!
Evolving Reference Framework
A family’s needs evolve: a baby starting to walk, a child entering school, changing schedules. A well-structured family care services contract allows you to adjust terms over time while maintaining a solid reference base.
3. What Should Your Family Care Services Contract Contain? #
What essential information must appear in my care contract? #
A complete family care services contract should include:
Basic information #
● Beginning date of the contract
● Full names of the persons involved (parents and provider)
● Complete addresses
● Contact information (phone, email)
● Service start date
● Expected duration of the agreement (fixed or open-ended)
● Signatures of all parties
How to clearly define tasks and responsibilities in the contract? #
Detailed service description — be specific.
Main tasks:
• Child supervision and safety (names, ages)
• Meal and snack preparation
• Help with routines (wake-up, bedtime, bath)
• Activity accompaniment
• Transportation (if applicable)
Complementary tasks (if agreed):
Homework help
Light housekeeping related to children
Family meal preparation
Errands
Children’s laundry management
Excluded tasks:
It’s equally important to specify what is not expected (e.g., full house cleaning, pet care, outdoor tasks).
Model clause:
“Light maintenance related to children only: putting away toys after use, cleaning the table after meals, loading the dishwasher with children’s dishes. No cleaning of other rooms is required.”
What schedules and working conditions should I specify? #
Schedules and availability
• Regular working days and hours
• Scheduled breaks (meals, rest)
• Expected flexibility (or not)
• Overtime procedure
• Required notice for schedule changes
• Policy in case of absence (family or provider)
• Leave and vacations
Model clause:
“Any schedule modification goes through Margot’s messaging and takes effect upon written confirmation from both parties.”
How to manage travel and expenses in my contract? #
Travel time and expenses
When supervision begins outside the home (e.g., school pickup), travel time is compensated from the agreed departure time.
Reimbursable expenses have been agreed: mileage, public transit, parking, activities.
Model clause:
“Travel time related to the service is compensated at the regular hourly rate. Approved expenses are reimbursed upon receipt, according to the schedule attached in the appendix.”
How to establish compensation in my family contract? #
Compensation and financial conditions
• Hourly rate or salary (depending on agreement type)
• Payment frequency (weekly, biweekly, monthly)
• Payment method (transfer, cheque, cash)
• Overtime policy
• Expense reimbursement (mileage, activities, meals)
• Planned salary increases
• Benefits (if applicable)
In Quebec, families may be eligible for childcare expense tax credits. Ensure your provider can issue the required receipts.
What house rules should I establish in the contract? #
House rules and values (harmonize life at home)
• Preferred educational approach (kindness, gentle firmness, etc.)
• Acceptable and unacceptable disciplinary rules
• Screen-time management
• Food (allergies, restrictions, preferences)
• Key daily routines
• Personal phone use during work hours
• Presence of visitors (authorized or not)
• Language(s) of communication with children
Substance use policy
For children’s safety and a healthy environment include:
1. Alcohol: strict prohibition during work hours
2. Tobacco and e-cigarettes: no smoking in the house, on the property, in the car with children, or in their presence
3. Illicit substances: total prohibition of use, possession, or being under the influence during work hours
4. Medications: obligation to declare any medication that may affect abilities (sleeping pills, anxiolytics, etc.)
Example clause:
“The provider commits not to consume any substance (alcohol, tobacco, drugs) during their service hours. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or cannabis is strictly prohibited in the residence, in the presence of children, or in any vehicle transporting children. Any breach of this policy will result in immediate contract termination.”
How to manage role boundaries and emotional safety? #
Role limits, gifts, photos, and off-hours communications
Role: “The caregiver provides educational and emotional support without substituting for the parent.”
Gifts/treats: only with written approval in Margot’s messaging.
Photos & social media: prohibited without explicit authorization (Law 25).
Off-hours messages: “Messages sent outside hours don’t require an immediate response.”
Emergencies: “In case of emergency, call 911 then notify the family. Allergies and contacts in the appendix.”
Medication administration: “Administration only with written authorization.”
Mediation: “In case of disagreement, parties attempt Margot’s mediation before any other action.”
How to adapt my contract for a separated family? #
Separated families: signatures and consistency If you are a separated family using a provider’s services, your family support contract should include:
• Signatures of parental-authority holders
• Rules by residence: what applies in each home
• Single channel: all instructions go through Margot’s messaging (no scattered texts)
Anti-conflict clause:
“The provider applies written rules provided by the parent present at their home. They cannot be held responsible for inconsistencies between the two households.”
What safety measures should I include in my care contract? #
Safety and emergencies
• Emergency contacts (parents, trusted persons, doctors)
• Accident or illness procedures
• Children’s allergies and medical conditions
• Emergency medical care authorization
• Address and access to local emergency services
• First-aid kit location
• Home safety protocols
How to protect my family’s privacy in the contract? #
Confidentiality and respect
Confidentiality commitment on family privacy
Photo and social media policy (Law 25)
Mutual respect and communication
Conflict resolution
What contract termination clauses should I include? #
Contract termination terms
Required notice to terminate the contract (generally 2 to 4 weeks)
Immediate termination conditions (serious fault)
Return of personal belongings and keys
Final payment and settlement of accumulated hours
4. Does Your Family Care Services Contract Have Legal Value? #
Does my care contract have a legal value in Quebec? #
Yes. In Quebec, a written and signed family care services contract between two parties has legal value, even if not drafted by a lawyer.
For it to be fully valid and enforceable, the contract must meet the following conditions:
What conditions make my family contract legally valid? #
Validity conditions
Free and informed consent;
Legal capacity;
Lawful object;
Lawful cause (services and compensation compliant with Quebec labour laws).
What labour standards apply to my nanny’s contract? #
Compliance with labor standards Even if your provider works at your home, certain standards apply:
Minimum wage (currently 15,75 $/hour in Québec in 2025)
Maximum work duration
Mandatory breaks
Statutory holidays
Protection against harassment
If your provider is self-employed rather than an employee, the rules differ; however, if you control schedules, tasks, and how they’re executed, it is likely an employer–employee relationship.
What happens in case of a dispute with my provider? #
In case of dispute If a dispute arises that cannot be resolved peacefully, your family care services agreement can be used as proof in court or before the Labour Standards Agency. Always keep a signed copy of the contract and any amendments. Exchanges in Margot messaging also constitute admissible evidence.
5. Examples of Family Care Services Contracts by Service Type #
How to adapt my contract according to the type of care sought? #
Each type of family care service has its particularities. Here’s how to adapt your family care services contract to your needs:
What should a contract for a full-time live-in nanny include? #
Specifics:
Regular service, often full-time
Involvement in daily routines
Long-term relationship
Essential elements: :
Fixed weekly schedule (e.g., Monday to Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Responsibilities by age group
Leave and vacation policy aligned with the family
Planned annual salary increase
Trial period (generally three months)
Example clause : “The nanny will be responsible for preparing balanced meals for children according to dietary preferences provided by parents. Weekly menus will be planned in collaboration with the family.”
How to draft a contract for a casual babysitter? #
Specifics:
Occasional service (evenings, weekends)
Flexible working hours
Short duration
Essential elements: :
Hourly rate for regular hours and an increased rate for late hours
Booking procedure (minimum notice)
Cancellation policy
Expected autonomy in managing bedtime routines
Example clause : “Twenty-four hours’ notice is required for any cancellation. Last-minute cancellations (less than four hours before) will be charged at 50% of the planned rate..”
What specific clauses should be included in a family coaching contract? #
Specifics:
Specialized professional service
Specific objectives to be achieved
Fixed term or per meeting
Essential elements: :
Clearly defined coaching objectives
Number of planned sessions
Methods and approaches used
Enhanced confidentiality
Progress-evaluation procedures
Example clause : “The coach commits to providing personalized strategies to improve parent–child communication. A review will be conducted every four sessions to adjust the approach according to the family’s evolving needs. »
How should a contract for language stimulation be structured? #
Specifics:
Specialized intervention
Personalized intervention plan
Collaboration with professionals (speech therapist)
Essential elements: :
Initial assessment and measurable objectives
Session frequency and duration
Required and provided materials
Communication with other practitioners (with consent)
Documented progress monitoring
Example clause : “Language stimulation sessions will take place twice a week, 45 minutes each. A progress report will be provided to parents at the end of each month.”
In Conclusion: An Investment in Peace of Mind #
Drafting a family care services contract doesn’t burden the relationship: it eases it. You clarify expectations, secure compensation, prevent misunderstandings, and protect everyone. By keeping all communications in Margot messaging, you benefit from probative traceability, a framework compliant with Law 25, and mediation if needed. It’s the best way to honour the provider’s work and your family’s well-being.
At Margot, we believe that the best human connections are built on solid foundations. A well-thought-out contract doesn’t make the relationship rigid; on the contrary, it frees it by removing worries and unspoken concerns.
Take the time to have an open discussion with your provider when drafting the contract. Listen to their concerns, share yours, and work together to create a framework that supports your family while honoring the valuable work of the person caring for your children.
After all, you’re not just hiring someone to care for your children: you’re welcoming a rare gem into your family’s daily life. And this gem deserves a setting that reflects its value.
Useful Resources #
CNESST (English site) — labour standards and domestic workers
Family care services contract templates available on the Margot platform
Revenu Québec — tax credit for childcare expenses
Do you have questions about your family support contract?
Our team at Margot is here to support you through this important step.
