What you need to know about ending a placement, notice periods, and what to do when things get difficult. Ending a contract is never easy. Whether it's a family moving on naturally, a situation that's broken down, or a placement that just isn't working, it's important to handle it in the right way for everyone involved, including you. This article covers how notice periods work, when contracts can be ended immediately, what to do when there's a dispute, and how tiney can help.
Notice periods
Your tiney contract sets out a notice period that applies to both you and the parent. The standard notice period is 30 days, although some childminders set a longer period (for example, 4 weeks or 6 weeks). This is agreed at the start and written into the contract. Either party can give notice. Once notice is given, all scheduled care during that notice period continues and is charged as normal, even if the parent chooses not to bring the child.
The key rules around notice periods are:
Notice should be given in writing (email or via the tiney app is fine, just make sure there's a clear record)
Notice should not be given during either party's holiday, including school holiday periods for term-time contracts
Invoices during the notice period are payable regardless of whether care takes place. If a parent stops bringing their child but hasn't paid their notice period, the contractual obligation still stands.
The notice period applies from the date notice is received, not the date care stops
Good to know: If a parent contacts tiney to say they're ending care, we'll pass the message on to you, but that alone doesn't count as formal notice. You and the parent need to confirm the end date directly. Keep everything in writing so there's no confusion later. |
The cooling-off period
When a new contract is signed, there is a 14-day cooling-off period. During this time, either party can end the agreement without serving the full notice period. Fees are only payable for any care that has already taken place.
The cooling-off period runs from the date the contract was signed by both parties, not the date care started. If a contract is renewed or replaced with a new one, the 14-day cooling-off period starts again from the date the new contract is signed.
If you're unsure: If a parent queries whether a cooling-off period applies, check the date the contract was signed. If it was within the last 14 days, the cooling-off period is likely still active. Get in touch with the team if you need help working this out. |
When can a contract end immediately?
In most cases, the notice period applies. But there are situations where a contract can be ended straight away, without either party being required to serve or pay out the notice period.
Safeguarding or urgent circumstances
If a parent needs to move their child due to a genuine safeguarding issue, this is treated as an exceptional circumstance. The tiney provider agreement (section 15.11) is clear:
"The Provider may require that the parent gives a reasonable notice period before moving their child to another provider except under urgent circumstances such as a safeguarding issue. This is regarded as being no longer than one month." (tiney Provider Agreement, section 15.11)
This works both ways. If you need to close your setting unexpectedly due to a genuine safety issue (for example, a structural hazard making the premises unsafe), you may not be in a position to require a parent to serve a notice period for that period of closure.
Immediate termination with payment in lieu
In exceptional circumstances, either party may choose to end the contract immediately rather than continuing care for the notice period. In this case, the party ending the contract pays the equivalent of the usual notice period fees in lieu of notice.
So if a parent wants to leave with immediate effect, they would pay the equivalent of 30 days of normal care (or whatever your notice period is). If you want to end the placement immediately, the same applies.
Breach of contract
If a parent (or child) displays rude, aggressive or abusive behaviour, or persistently brings a sick child into your setting in breach of your sick child policy, your contract may allow you to terminate immediately. Check your own contract terms carefully. If you're unsure whether a situation meets the threshold, speak to the team first.
Important: Even in difficult situations, ending a contract without following the proper process can create problems, especially around funding. If you're thinking about ending a contract outside the standard notice period, please get in touch with us before you do so. We can talk it through with you. |
How to end a contract
Whether you're ending a placement or a parent is leaving, here's the process to follow.
Give notice in writing (email or via the tiney app both work). State clearly when you are giving notice and confirm what the last day of care will be.
Keep providing care as normal throughout the notice period, and invoice as usual.
Let the tiney team know the end date via in-app messaging so we can update the records and handle any funding adjustments.
Make sure all outstanding invoices are settled before the contract ends.
If there is a funded hours arrangement, the team will arrange for the funding to be transferred to the new provider at the right point in the term.
Funded hours and ending contracts
If a child has funded hours, ending a contract mid-term requires a bit of extra care. Funded hours are not the parent's money to transfer. They're a government-funded entitlement claimed through the childminder, and the transfer between providers has to go through the right channels.
When a contract ends, any unused funded hours for the term can usually be transferred to a new provider. The timing of this transfer depends on the local authority headcount amendment dates, so there may be a short wait before the new provider can claim.
Funded hours: If you have a parent ending a contract who also has a funded hours arrangement, get in touch with the tiney team as soon as you know the placement is ending. We'll help work out the funding position and make sure the transfer is handled correctly. |
When things go wrong: parent disputes
Most endings are straightforward. But sometimes there's a dispute. A parent who refuses to pay the notice period, a disagreement about what was agreed, or a more serious breakdown in the relationship. Here's how to approach it.
Step 1: Go back to the contract
Your tiney contract is the starting point for any dispute. It sets out exactly what was agreed: notice periods, payment terms, and what happens if either party doesn't comply. Before you do anything else, re-read the relevant clauses so you know exactly where you stand.
Step 2: Try to resolve it directly
In the first instance, parents should raise any complaint directly with you, as their contract is with you. Many disputes come from misunderstandings that can be resolved with a calm, clear conversation. Keep the tone professional and put anything you agree in writing.
Step 3: Contact the tiney team
If you can't resolve it between yourselves, get in touch with us. We can help clarify what the contract says, check the payment position, and help you think through your options. What we can't do is make rulings or legally mediate between parties. But we can provide information and support.
"Wherever possible, we will support communication between parties to help reach an agreement on outstanding invoices or refunds. However, tiney does not act as a decision-maker, make rulings or mediate financial disputes." (tiney Terms and Conditions)
Step 4: If the situation escalates
If a dispute cannot be resolved and involves a significant unpaid invoice, you may want to seek advice from your insurer, Morton Michel. They can offer guidance on next steps, including what options you have if you need to pursue an unpaid debt.
tiney is unable to share call recordings or messages that involve a third party (such as a parent) without that person's consent, for GDPR reasons. However, if you need written confirmation of tiney's standard position on notice periods or what advice we did or didn't give to a parent, we can provide a factual written statement to support you.
Protecting yourself from the start
The best way to avoid disputes is to make sure everything is clear before care begins. A few things that really help:
Have everything in writing
Contracts, any agreed changes to hours or fees, and notices to end care should all be documented. Verbal agreements are hard to prove.
Keep your signed Parent Declaration
This confirms parents have read and understood the terms, including what happens if they leave mid-term. Without a signed declaration, it's much harder to enforce the notice period.
Make sure parents read the notice period clause
Draw their attention to it specifically at the start. Parents are sometimes surprised by it later if they weren't aware at the time.
Review your contract regularly
If your notice period or terms have changed, issue a new contract and make sure both parties sign it. The most recently signed contract is the one that applies.
Keep your policies up to date and accessible
Your sick child policy and behaviour policy help set expectations. If a parent later disputes whether they were told, you'll be glad you have the paperwork.
Common questions
A parent has stopped bringing their child and is refusing to pay the notice period. What can I do?
Your contract is legally binding. If the cooling-off period has passed and notice hasn't been served correctly, the parent is in breach of contract and the notice period fees are still owed. Contact the tiney team so we can confirm the position, and consider reaching out to Morton Michel for guidance on recovering the debt if needed.
Can a parent claim tiney told them they didn't need to give notice?
tiney's consistent position is that notice periods are governed by the contract between you and the parent. We do not advise parents that they can ignore contractual notice periods. If you believe a parent is making an inaccurate claim about advice they received from tiney, let us know and we can investigate. We can provide a written statement of our position if that's helpful for your insurer or records.
A parent is disputing an invoice and has raised a chargeback with their bank. What happens?
If a parent raises a payment dispute (chargeback) with their bank, tiney will submit evidence to the bank showing that the charge was legitimate, including the signed contract and relevant correspondence. Chargebacks can take time to resolve. Keep hold of any documentation that supports your position and let the team know as soon as you become aware of a dispute.
I want to end a contract but I'm worried about how the parent will react. What should I do?
It's understandable to feel anxious about this. Try to keep the tone of your notice brief and professional. You don't need to go into detail about your reasons. Focus on the facts: when you're giving notice, and when the last day of care will be. If you'd like help with the wording, reach out to the team and we can help you draft something.
What if a parent raises a complaint about me to Ofsted?
As your Childminder Agency (CMA), tiney works with Ofsted. If a parent makes a complaint to Ofsted about a tiney-registered childminder, this may be referred to us to investigate. We'll keep you informed and support you through the process. Make sure you keep your records, risk assessments, and policies up to date. Good documentation is your best protection.
Need help?
If you're dealing with a difficult ending or a dispute with a parent, please don't try to handle it alone. Get in touch with the team via in-app messaging or email us at community@tiney.co and we'll help you work through it.