A friendly reminder sorts out most unpaid fees, but sooner or later most childminders meet a family who leaves owing money and stops replying. It helps to know the steps before that happens, because a calm, documented process gets results where an angry message won't.
Start with your contract
Everything else depends on what your contract says. It should set out when fees are due, any late fee, how you'll remind families, how much written notice you give before ending the agreement for non-payment, and that unpaid fees are still owed after the agreement ends. If those terms are clear and the family signed them, you're in a strong position.
Remind in writing
Send a polite written reminder as soon as a payment is late, and keep a copy. If nothing happens, send a second reminder that refers to the relevant part of your contract and gives a date for payment. Stick to the facts, because if this goes further you'll want a record showing you were reasonable throughout.
End the place if you need to
If fees stay unpaid, your contract should let you end the agreement after written notice. You don't have to keep caring for a child whose family isn't paying, but follow your own notice terms so nobody can say you acted unfairly.
Send a letter before claim
Before you take court action against an individual, the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims expects you to send a formal letter setting out what's owed and why, with copies of the invoices and contract terms, and to give the family 30 days to respond. Many people pay at this point, because it's the first time they realise you're serious.
The small claims route
If the debt is still unpaid, you can claim online through the county court's Money Claim Online service. Small claims are designed so people can bring them without a solicitor. There's a court fee that depends on the amount you're claiming, and you can usually add it to the claim. Check the current fees on GOV.UK before you start, and think about whether the amount owed is worth the time involved.
Prevention is far better
Payment in advance is the best protection, because a family who leaves then owes you very little. Add a clear contract and prompt reminders, and most childminders never go near a court.
The reminder steps, the notice for non-payment and the line saying unpaid fees stay due are all standard in a GoChildmind contract.