Ending a childminding contract

[good123]

We are ending our childminding contract and yes, we were silly but we have read the contract and note that it says we cannot give notice before, during or after the main school holidays and we signed it.

We are confused as the childminder is term time only and we pay her a retainer during the main school holidays.

Reading this sounds as if we can never give notice.

Help please.

That’s crazy as every day is technically before, after or during main school holidays. I would just give her notice - does it specify a time frame?

Are you sure it doesn’t say holidays cannot be included in the notice period? Slightly different and I have seen that on PACEY contracts. I write my own and mind just says 4 calendar weeks.

I think just speak to your childminder explaining you want to end your contract and she’ll clarify it for you. I’d imagine you’d just need to provide notice during term time being 4 weeks where the notice period doesn’t fall over school holidays.

Positive, I read it quite thoroughly this time.

It is strange as the money we pay is a retainer for the holidays so that we have a place when we return.

Maybe it means you need to give notice at the start of each term??

What's the exact wording?

Technically everything is
before, during or after the main school holidays

If that is the exact wording then I would think it's unfair under contract law (BUT I am not a lawyer/solicitor)

Can you post the exact wording so some people who know what they are talking about can help

It’s really difficult to help when people don’t give the actual information you need to answer