CHILDMINDERS · PAYMENT LINKS
How UK Childminders Can Request a Deposit
A clear and practical guide on how childminders can request deposits or holding fees without feeling awkward. Learn why deposits protect your diary, what amounts are reasonable, and simple scripts you can use with parents.
Many childminders feel uncomfortable asking for a deposit, even when it would genuinely protect their diary and reduce stress. You might worry it will feel rude, or that parents will think you do not trust them. You might also be unsure what amount is reasonable or how to explain it without sounding strict.
In reality, deposits and holding fees are one of the simplest ways to create commitment. They stop you holding a space for weeks with no certainty, and they reduce last minute changes that can leave you with gaps you cannot fill.
This guide explains how deposits work for UK childminders, what people typically charge, when to use a holding fee, and the easiest way to request it with a clear message and a payment link.
Part of the Childminders Payment Links Guide Series
For the full system, start with the pillar page: Payment Links for Childminders – Complete UK Guide .
Why Deposits Work for Childminders
Deposits in childminding are not about mistrust. They are about diary protection and commitment. When you hold a space, you often turn away other families and you start doing admin before the child even begins. A deposit makes that commitment real.
Deposits also pair naturally with a clear payment system. If late payments are already an issue, the guide on chasing late payments as a childminder shows how deposits and boundaries reduce overdue fees over time.
Deposits protect your diary
When a parent pays a holding fee, they are far less likely to change their mind after you have held a space. It reduces the risk of empty weeks you cannot refill.
Deposits reduce payment drift
If a family struggles to pay a small deposit on time, it is often a sign monthly fees may be late too. Deposits help you spot risk early and keep your payment terms clear.
Deposits set professional boundaries
A deposit tells parents your service has structure. Most families appreciate the clarity because it makes expectations obvious from the start.
Deposits also link naturally into a deposit and balance setup. If you want to see how to structure both parts, read deposit and balance payments for childminders .
Real Situations Where Deposits Help Childminders
Childminding has its own version of cancellations. It is often start dates that move, weeks that change, or parents who want you to hold flexibility without committing. These examples show where deposits remove the stress.
Holding a start date for six weeks
A parent wants you to keep a space open for a start date in the future. Meanwhile you turn away other enquiries. A holding fee confirms commitment and protects your diary if plans change.
Variable shift patterns and changing days
A family wants flexibility and changes their weekly pattern. Deposits can be used to confirm base days or secure specific weeks so you are not left with gaps and unpredictability.
Extra sessions that often get forgotten
A parent asks for an extra day, then payment drifts because it was agreed informally. Taking payment at booking or using a small deposit makes the extra session feel clear and organised.
If you want a wider system that ties deposits into reminders and balance payments, the main pillar guide explains how everything connects: Payment Links for Childminders .
A Simple System for Requesting Deposits as a Childminder
Here is a straightforward approach you can use to introduce deposits confidently and clearly without turning it into a big conversation.
Choose what the deposit is for
Decide whether your deposit is a holding fee for a start date, a deposit to confirm certain weeks, or a payment in advance for an extra session. When you are clear on purpose, the message becomes easy to explain.
Choose a realistic amount
Many childminders keep deposits simple. A common approach is one week of care, or a set amount such as £30 to £60 depending on the situation. The goal is commitment, not pressure.
Explain the reason in one sentence
Parents respond well when the explanation is short and factual. For example, you can say the holding fee confirms the space and protects your diary because you turn away other enquiries once the place is held.
Send the deposit request using a payment link
Payment links make this simple. The parent taps to pay and you receive a clear confirmation without having to share bank details or chase for references.
If you want more help on how to send links naturally, read sending payment links as a childminder .
Confirm the booking once the deposit is paid
A quick confirmation message builds trust. It also reinforces that the deposit has done its job, the space is confirmed and the parent can relax.
If deposits often lead into ongoing fees, it can help to structure the rest as a balance payment. The guide on deposit and balance payments shows how to keep that part clear too.
Simple Deposit Request Message Templates for Childminders
Here are simple examples childminders use when requesting a holding fee or deposit. Adjust the amounts and dates to match your own process.
Template 1: Holding fee for a new start date
Hi [Name], thank you for confirming the start date of [Date]. To hold the space, I take a holding fee of £[Amount]. This confirms the place in my diary as I turn away other enquiries. Here is your payment link. Once paid, I will confirm everything for you.
Template 2: Deposit to confirm a set of agreed days
Hi [Name], to confirm the agreed childcare days for [Month / Weeks], I take a deposit of £[Amount]. This secures those dates in my diary. Here is your payment link. Once paid, I will confirm the booking and send the balance details.
Template 3: Deposit for an extra ad hoc session
Hi [Name], I can confirm the extra session on [Date]. To secure it, the deposit is £[Amount]. Here is your link to pay. Once it is done, the session is confirmed. Thank you.
If you want a calm system for follow ups when payments are late, the guide on automatic payment reminders shows how reminders support deposit requests without you chasing manually.
If you want even more copy and paste scripts for reminders and overdue fees, see payment reminder templates for childminders .
The Big Wins
Once childminders start using deposits or holding fees, they often notice:
- Fewer diary gaps from changing plans
A holding fee reduces last minute changes after you have already committed space and time.
- Clearer expectations with parents
Parents understand what confirms a place, what is due next, and what the routine looks like.
- Reduced stress around payments
Once you have a clear deposit process, it becomes normal and you stop overthinking every payment conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much deposit should a childminder charge in the UK?
Many childminders use either one week of care or a set amount such as £30 to £60 as a holding fee for a start date. The right amount depends on your fees and how much diary risk you are taking.
Do parents usually accept childminder deposits?
Yes, when it is explained clearly and early. Most parents understand that you are holding a childcare space and turning away other enquiries once the place is reserved.
Should I request a deposit from every family?
Not always. Many childminders use deposits for new start dates, ad hoc sessions, or families with variable patterns. For established families paying reliably in advance, a deposit may not be needed.
What is the easiest way to request a deposit?
Sending a payment link is usually the simplest method. Parents can tap to pay and you receive a clear confirmation without needing to share bank details or chase references.
Related Guides
Continue learning with these related guides:
Payment Links for Childminders — Complete UK Guide
The complete UK guide to payment links for childminders. Learn how to take deposits securely, reduce cancellations, and get paid on time.
Read guideHow Childminders Get Paid — UK Methods Explained
A breakdown of the common ways UK childminders accept payments from parents and carers.
Read guideDeposit and Balance Payments for Childminders
How to take deposits upfront and collect balances professionally as a childminder.
Read guideHow Childminders Can Reduce Cancellations
A practical guide to reducing cancellations and late changes for UK childminders using clear policies and deposits.
Read guideStart Taking Holding Fees and Deposits the Simple Way
Deposits protect your diary and make start dates more reliable. With Simply Link you can send deposit payment links in seconds and let friendly reminders handle follow ups. Create your free account and set up your first deposit link today.
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