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Original poster

Childminder 4 week fees

23 replies

kwr100108 · 26/02/2025 17:29

Hi,

So i signed a childminding contract a month ago to begin at the start of April. The contract states 4 weeks notice must be given in advance for any changes made.
My hours at work have changed so i will no longer require the childcare.
I have let them know that i no longer need their services, to which they have informed me i owe half a months payment.
I am unsure if this is legally correct as i have given over the 4 weeks required notice and the contract does not state anything regarding cancelling before the contract has began and does not state anything to do with a half fee.
Could i have some advice on what to do please?

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lnks · 26/02/2025 17:30

Does ‘changes’ cover amending hours etc or does it also cover cancellation?

Original poster
kwr100108 · 26/02/2025 17:44

Sorry just to add - the contract does not say anything at all about cancellations. There is no mention of terminating the contract before it begins/cancellations/half fees etc - but yet i’m being told i need to pay this.

OP posts:
Original poster
kwr100108 · 26/02/2025 17:46

lnks · 26/02/2025 17:30

Does ‘changes’ cover amending hours etc or does it also cover cancellation?

Cancellations is not at all mentioned on the contract, nor is paying a half fee (which i have been told i need to), all that is stated is a 4 week notice period must be given to terminate this contract.

OP posts:
gettingthehangofsewing · 26/02/2025 21:31

What is the start date on the contract? If the start date is the date you were due to begin attending (April) then that is the date the contract begins so no you do not owe anything.

Did you pay a deposit or retainer fee?

SMaCM · 26/02/2025 21:57

Normally a childminder would take a deposit to protect them against this. Are you sure there’s nothing in the contract about paying a fee if you cancel before starting? It sounds a bit odd.

Juicyapple44 · 26/02/2025 23:41

If it's not in your contract then you should not owe anything, when I was childminding I took a deposit at contract signing this was equal to half a month's fees. In this case you would have lost your deposit with me, but this was written in my contracts . ..not taking up the space or leaving in first 12 weeks equals lost deposit. If contract has started then yes you owe those weeks fees , if start date is April I don't see how you owe anything

Original poster
kwr100108 · 27/02/2025 09:44

gettingthehangofsewing · 26/02/2025 21:31

What is the start date on the contract? If the start date is the date you were due to begin attending (April) then that is the date the contract begins so no you do not owe anything.

Did you pay a deposit or retainer fee?

The contract was signed 23.01.25, but the childcare arrangement is due to begin 01.05.25. It doesn’t state a date the contract begins from.

OP posts:
Original poster
kwr100108 · 27/02/2025 09:46

Juicyapple44 · 26/02/2025 23:41

If it's not in your contract then you should not owe anything, when I was childminding I took a deposit at contract signing this was equal to half a month's fees. In this case you would have lost your deposit with me, but this was written in my contracts . ..not taking up the space or leaving in first 12 weeks equals lost deposit. If contract has started then yes you owe those weeks fees , if start date is April I don't see how you owe anything

How do i know if the contract has started when it doesn’t state this? Also, the contract does not state anything about fees being payable should a cancellation be made. The only info on the contract is that 4 weeks notice must be given for any changes.

OP posts:
Original poster
kwr100108 · 27/02/2025 09:49

SMaCM · 26/02/2025 21:57

Normally a childminder would take a deposit to protect them against this. Are you sure there’s nothing in the contract about paying a fee if you cancel before starting? It sounds a bit odd.

The contract states that a £0.00 registration fee will be taken and a £0.00 deposit will be taken. There is nothing at all in the contract about cancelling before starting and definitely no mention of having to pay 1/2 a months payment.

OP posts:
gettingthehangofsewing · 27/02/2025 11:39

Based on your updates legally I don't think you owe anything.

littleluncheon · 27/02/2025 20:42

It doesn't sound like you're obliged to pay anything and it seems unlikely the childminder would take you to court over it.

roses2 · 27/02/2025 21:01

Op have you already paid and are owed a refund? If not point them to their terms and ask why they think they are owed money given you've cancelled 2 months in advance.

Original poster
kwr100108 · 28/02/2025 08:10

roses2 · 27/02/2025 21:01

Op have you already paid and are owed a refund? If not point them to their terms and ask why they think they are owed money given you've cancelled 2 months in advance.

No, the contract stages no deposit was needed and i have not paid a penny to the childminder. They are simply stating because i cancelled with 4.5 weeks notice, i owe half a months fee, which is not stated in the contract.

OP posts:
Original poster
kwr100108 · 28/02/2025 08:12

littleluncheon · 27/02/2025 20:42

It doesn't sound like you're obliged to pay anything and it seems unlikely the childminder would take you to court over it.

Thank you. I am worried of being taken to court over it, but unsure if they would do so or not based on it being just under £300 they claim i owe. The contract leads me to believe i do not owe them a penny.

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 28/02/2025 08:13

kwr100108 · 28/02/2025 08:10

No, the contract stages no deposit was needed and i have not paid a penny to the childminder. They are simply stating because i cancelled with 4.5 weeks notice, i owe half a months fee, which is not stated in the contract.

Show quote history

They seem to be chancing their arm.

anon2022anon · 28/02/2025 08:16

Have you actually.pointed out to them what the contract states, and asked why/ where they believe it shows you will owe any funds?
Is there any chance whatsoever that you are going to need childcare from this person in the future? As even if the contract states you don't owe it, you're not getting childcare if you don't pay it!

Completelyjo · 28/02/2025 08:21

God this is why so many childminders and nursery’s get screwed and end up having to go down the over the top paperwork route. Do you really think it’s reasonable for a childminder to keep a slot aside for your child and then you cancel at the last minute with absolutely no payment?

LittleBearPad · 28/02/2025 08:24

Completelyjo · 28/02/2025 08:21

God this is why so many childminders and nursery’s get screwed and end up having to go down the over the top paperwork route. Do you really think it’s reasonable for a childminder to keep a slot aside for your child and then you cancel at the last minute with absolutely no payment?

It’s not the last minute and if the childminder wants to protect themselves they need to charge a deposit / rewrite their terms.

stichguru · 28/02/2025 08:24

You've given over the 4 week notice period. If it says nothing else about fees needing to be paid after cancellation, you don't owe a penny. Just tell them no, unless you think you may want them to look after your child in the future. I also find it hard to believe they won't be able to fill a space that starts in TWO months, frankly. I mean if you'd cancelled for a space that was meant to start in a couple of weeks, fair enough to pay them for a couple of months. They've maybe turned down other people who they couldn't fit in with your child, and won't get anyone else to start when she/he was meant to start. Two months though is plenty of time to fill the place.

littleluncheon · 28/02/2025 08:24

Completelyjo · 28/02/2025 08:21

God this is why so many childminders and nursery’s get screwed and end up having to go down the over the top paperwork route. Do you really think it’s reasonable for a childminder to keep a slot aside for your child and then you cancel at the last minute with absolutely no payment?

Childminder should have taken a deposit for these circumstances though.

stichguru · 28/02/2025 08:30

Completelyjo · 28/02/2025 08:21

God this is why so many childminders and nursery’s get screwed and end up having to go down the over the top paperwork route. Do you really think it’s reasonable for a childminder to keep a slot aside for your child and then you cancel at the last minute with absolutely no payment?

Childminders and nurseries may get screwed over by people cancelling at the last minute. However that is irrelevant since this is TWO MONTHS, not even vaguely the last minute. Given how hard it is to find childcare, I find it hard to believe that the place couldn't be filled in two months.

Original poster
kwr100108 · 28/02/2025 11:28

Completelyjo · 28/02/2025 08:21

God this is why so many childminders and nursery’s get screwed and end up having to go down the over the top paperwork route. Do you really think it’s reasonable for a childminder to keep a slot aside for your child and then you cancel at the last minute with absolutely no payment?

It’s not really my issue they didn’t ask for a deposit, as if they did i would have happily paid and understood that this need not be refunded. I cannot help the sad circumstances, which i will not go into, that my child will no longer attend. There is nearly 2 months before my child was supposed to start, so i believe that space will be able to be filled. I did not give days notice. I came on here to ask for advice regarding payment, not to get bashed.

OP posts:
Original poster
kwr100108 · 28/02/2025 11:31

stichguru · 28/02/2025 08:24

You've given over the 4 week notice period. If it says nothing else about fees needing to be paid after cancellation, you don't owe a penny. Just tell them no, unless you think you may want them to look after your child in the future. I also find it hard to believe they won't be able to fill a space that starts in TWO months, frankly. I mean if you'd cancelled for a space that was meant to start in a couple of weeks, fair enough to pay them for a couple of months. They've maybe turned down other people who they couldn't fit in with your child, and won't get anyone else to start when she/he was meant to start. Two months though is plenty of time to fill the place.

If i had not given the relevant notice period,
i would understand i would be due to pay and would do so. My change in circumstances means i won’t be looking for childcare from this provider in the future. I have apologised for taking up a space someone else may have wanted, but with the childminder demand at the moment, i believe they are able to fill the space.

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