Free Letter to School

The Child Care Authorization document is used to grant some other person or institution (a "Caretaker") temporary custody of your child(ren). For example, if you will be separated from your child(ren) for a few days, you may wish to grant certain powers regarding your child's basic needs, including medical, nutritional, and educational needs to a relative, friend or other person who will be taking care of your child(ren). Similarly, you may need to provide notice of the "Child Care Authorization" to your child's teacher, school, or other organization so they know who to contact to obtain authority to take your child(ren) on a field trip or other outing. You may name more than one Caretaker (for example, a husband and wife).

It is recommended that you provide the school with information about how to contact you in the event that a question arises about the Child Care Authorization or a situation arises which is outside the scope of authority granted by this document. Whenever possible, phone numbers at which you can be reached should be provided. If you can also be reached by fax or e-mail, it may be useful to provide this information as well.

The Letter to School provides notice to school officials regarding the identity of Caretaker(s) who have been granted temporary authority over your child(ren) pursuant to a Child Care Authorization document and the scope of the authority granted to the Caretaker(s). It is important to understand that the Letter to School does NOT provide the grant of authority to the Caretaker(s). Rather, the Letter to School merely provides notice to the school officials of the temporary authority granted to the Caretaker(s). The Child Care Authorization document in this program provides the authority to the Caretaker(s).

If the grant of authority may be terminated by the Parent(s) at any time, rather than on a certain date, the school should be notified as soon as possible after the Parent(s) terminate the Caretaker's authority.

1. Sign the letter.

2. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.

3. The Letter to School document does not grant any specific authority to the school that will receive the document. It is effective merely to provide notice to school officials regarding the identity of the Caretaker(s) and the scope of the authority already granted to the Caretaker(s).

The Child Care Authorization can be terminated by either or both of the Parents by notifying the Caretaker(s) of the termination. Generally this occurs when the Parent(s) returns from their absence. However, it may also happen if the Parents wish to terminate the authority of the named Caretaker(s) and grant authority to someone else. There is no requirement that the notification of termination be written. In fact, verbal notification is generally effective. It is also important to notify the child(ren)'s school and any other party that may have been relying on the Child Care Authorization (such as a medical provider) as soon as possible after the termination.