Families' needs change all the time, whether it's a new job, a second baby, a school place or different shifts. Most of the time you'll be happy to help. Whatever the change, write it down, so nobody ends up arguing later about what was agreed.
Do you need a whole new contract?
Usually you don't. Your main contract sets out your terms, and those stay the same when one family's hours change. What changes is the detail of that child's place: their days, times, booked hours and fees. You can record that in an addendum, which is a short note you both sign, or by issuing an updated copy of the child's place details.
Notice for changes
Your contract should say how much notice a family needs to give to change days or hours, and that any change depends on you having space within your ratios. Four weeks is common and matches most notice periods. If a family cuts their hours at short notice, you can treat it as notice on part of the place.
What goes in the addendum
Keep it short and specific. Include the child's name, the date the change starts, the new days and times, the new weekly or monthly fee, any change to funded hours and which days they're used on, and a line confirming that every other term stays the same. You both sign and date it and keep a copy each.
Funded hours
A new pattern can change how a child's funded hours fall across the week, and your local authority may need an updated parental declaration. Check before the change starts, and make sure the invoice shows the new split between funded and paid hours.
Fees
Work the new fee out properly instead of estimating it. If you spread fees evenly across the year, the monthly payment will change, and the family should see the new figure before they agree to it.
In GoChildmind each child's days and times are their own part of the contract, so changing hours takes a few clicks. The new monthly fee is worked out for you, and you print a fresh dated copy for you both to sign.