to be annoyed at pre-school saying they now don't have a morning place for my DD

[Tapster]

Went to see a pre-school 6 weeks ago for my DD to go to at age 2.2 - earlier than I wanted her to attend pre-school but they said they only did Sept or Jan entry. I signed her up for two mornings a week from January sent off a £100 deposit got an email confirming it all.

Got a call at 7pm this evening from woman - a bit late to think about these things IMO. She said there is now no place, and I shouldn't have been confirmed a place. They now can only offer my DD two afternoon sessions and also it was a minimum of 3 mornings a week and I couldn't sign up for 2 anyway.

I was so shocked I said I'd get back to her. At just over 2 my DD will hopefully be still napping in the afternoon. I wanted her to go to pre-school in ther morning, get tired and so have a long afternoon nap - so a double wammy .

I have no family help and trying to ttc no.2 so wanted a bit of break when pregnant/new baby.

I'm so disappointed at the nursery and being treated this way that I don't think I want my DD to go there anyway. Unfortunately there are no other options for under 3s for pre-school rather than nursery round here.

I know they are having trouble filling their afternoon places, and I have heard its difficult to switch from afternoon to morning sessions at a later date, despite them saying it "could" be possible. Dh thinks they are trying it on but very annoyed anyway.

[TotalChaos]

very poor that they are messing you around - if they are so disorganised they don't know what places they are, funny how they aren't disorganised when it comes to taking your money off you. YANBU.

[nametaken]

It sounds suspiciously like someone else has been given priority over you.

Write them a letter telling them you don't accept the changes and you will be sticking to the mornings you both originally agreed as you have now accepted a part-time job for those hours, on the basis that they had already agreed to give you the place.

[nametaken]

OK word the letter something like this:

Dear X

Further to our telephone conversation yesterday, I am sorry to advise you that I am unable to alter my arrangements and move from mornings to afternoon.

I look forward to seeing you on (insert date of first playgroup session here).

Best regards

[sunnydelight]

It's a clear attempt on their part to break the contract. I would second the letter idea, maybe something like this:

Dear X

As a business person I am sure you are aware that by taking my deposit and confirming by e-mail my daughter's place for X and X mornings, you entered into a legal contract with me.

I appreciate that it is difficult to co-ordinate everyone's requirements to ensure that you fill every session, however in this instance I regret that I am not able to vary our agreement as I have made plans based on the offered sessions.

If you have any queries feel free to contact me, otherwise I look foward to seeing you at Xam on X January.

Yours sincerely .....

Not the nicest way to start off though. Good luck.

[mamablue]

They are definately trying it on. I would suspect that someone else is trying to take the am sessions and they are trying to accommodate them over you. If they have taken a deposit and confirmed the place in writing they should honour that. I would check out their prospectus or any information you were given to find out about the 3 morning rule. I would insist that you can not take afternoons and you would like the morning sessions they agreed you could have.

[Carnival]

They've broken the contract and definitely have no right to keep your deposit. Sunny Delight's letter is great - go for it, I'd say.

[savoycabbage]

No you are not. Don't let them push you around and don't take afternoons or you will never have a moments peace.

[Tapster]

Thanks for the replies. Got a montessori nursery confirmed place Sept 2009 - phoned to check today in a paranoid moment. But they insist on DD going 4 mornings a week, all the kids do. I had hoped she could go 2-3 terms at a caring well regarded pre-school and build up to the 4 days slowly. Thinking about it I think she will be unsettled by moving nurseries so may stick to september and just enjoy looking after her for 8 months - I'm probably mad!

[NotABanana]

My concern about the letters (while thinking they are good) is that it will cause bad feeling and would you want them looking after your child under those circumstances?

[NotABanana]

With my son, I started him on 2 sessions and then gradually added an extra one until he was doing 5 mornings to be used to going all week for school.

[sunnydelight]

If you don't need her to go to pre-school Tapster then I think you're making the right decision in waiting until September. Yes, you are in the right and I am a great one for standing up for people's rights but starting off as "stroppy mum" isn't the best way to go.