Holidays cause more fee disputes than almost anything else, usually because nobody wrote down what was agreed. No law tells childminders what to charge for holidays, so the answer is whatever your contract says, as long as it's clear and fair.
Your holidays
When you close for your own holiday, most childminders don't charge, or charge a reduced rate. Some charge full fees for a set number of weeks a year, because their fees are worked out across the year and families pay the same total either way. Any of these can be fair if families know before they sign.
Whichever you choose, give plenty of notice. I tell families my closure dates as early as I can, and my contract sets a minimum notice period for planned closures and a maximum number of weeks I'll close in a year. Families can plan around closures they know about, and the friction comes from surprises.
Their holidays
When a family takes their child away, you're still holding the place and turning others away, so most childminders charge their usual fee, in full or in part. Some offer a few free weeks a year that families can take with notice. Parents appreciate it, and it costs you less than it sounds.
Spreading fees evenly helps
If you spread fees evenly across the year, the monthly payment already allows for your closures, so you don't have to adjust invoices every time someone's away. Explained clearly at the start, that stops most holiday arguments before they begin.
Funded hours are never charged
You can't charge for funded hours, whatever the reason for an absence or closure. Holiday charges can only apply to private hours.
Write it down clearly
Your contract should deal separately with your planned holidays, unplanned closures such as your own illness, the family's holidays and bank holidays. A small table showing what's charged in each case is far clearer than a paragraph, and it's the first thing families look for when a question comes up.
Your options
For each of these you can charge in full, charge half or not charge:
- The family's holiday, while you're open.
- Your planned closures, such as your own holidays and training days.
- Bank holidays that fall on a booked day.
- School holidays, for term-time-only places.
You can also give year-round families a set number of free weeks a year, with notice. Any mix works if the contract sets it out clearly. Charging for your own planned time off is the term families challenge most, though, so if you do it, keep it limited and specific.
What I do
I don't charge for my own planned closures or for bank holidays. They're in my control, and it doesn't feel fair to ask families to pay for care they can't have. Spreading fees evenly across the year keeps my income steady anyway.
How it looks in your contract
From a GoChildmind contract
My closures. I close on bank holidays. I give at least 28 days' notice of planned closures.
My planned closures (holidays, training): not charged.
Put your own details in, freeRead the full sample contract
You choose how each type of absence is charged, and the monthly fee is worked out with your closures included.