Every childcare arrangement ends eventually, usually because a child starts school, the family moves or their needs change. A clear notice period means you can plan for those endings, and it protects your income while you find a new family.
How long?
Four weeks is the most common notice period for childminders and suits most situations, because it gives you time to fill the place without leaving families feeling trapped. Some childminders use a calendar month. Whichever you choose, make it the same for both sides, because a contract that asks families for more notice than you give is harder to defend as fair.
Fees during notice
Most disputes happen here, so be specific. Usually booked private hours are payable for the whole notice period, whether or not the child attends. Some childminders add that fees stop once they fill the place, which is a fair gesture. A few charge only for the hours the child actually attends, which is generous but leaves you exposed.
Funded hours stay free during the notice period, and only private hours can be charged.
Notice in writing
Ask for notice in writing, email included, with the date it's given and the last day of care, so nobody argues later about when the notice period started.
Cancelling before the child starts
Families sometimes sign, then take a nursery place before their child's first day, after you've held the place and turned others away. Say in your contract what's owed if that happens. Most childminders apply the usual notice period from the day the family tells them, and some keep a deposit instead. Funded hours are never charged.
When you give notice
Childminders give notice too, sometimes because a family's needs no longer fit and sometimes because the relationship isn't working. Give the same notice you'd expect, explain your reasons honestly and help the family find other care if you can.
End well
The last few weeks matter for the child. Talk about the change in a way that suits their age, keep their routine steady, and pass on their learning journal and any records the family is entitled to. Families remember how a placement ended, and many of my new enquiries come from families who left on good terms.
Your options
Most childminders use four weeks (28 days) of notice. Some use a calendar month, and a few use two months for babies, whose places are harder to fill.
During notice, families can pay for booked private hours whether or not the child attends, pay booked hours only until you fill the place, or pay only for the hours the child attends. Any of these holds up if it's written down and applies to both sides, and whatever you choose, funded hours stay free during notice.
What I do
I use four weeks on both sides, with booked private hours payable during it. That gives me time to find a new family without anyone feeling trapped.
How it looks in your contract
From a GoChildmind contract
Ending by notice. Either of us can end this agreement by giving 28 days' written notice. You can give notice at any time. During the notice period, funded hours remain free. Booked private hours are payable for the notice period, whether or not your child attends. No other fee is due.
Put your own details in, freeRead the full sample contract
You set the number of days, how fees work during notice, and what's owed if a family cancels before starting. When notice is given, GoChildmind writes the notice letter for you.