Nursery fees when son does not attend?

[Rose138]

Hi everyone,

My 2 year old son is due to start nursery in a few weeks. I work three days a week so he is going to go 2 days (8.30-4.30) and the third day he will be with my mum.

Because I am a teacher, I was thinking in half term, xmas hols etc I will probably just put him in for one morning (so he is still used to going) Do I however have to still pay for the two full days?

I all due to go in next week to pay the 2 week deposit and first weeks payment. So I will ask them then but just wondered can they (legally( charge even if he doesn't go during the holidays? Or when sick? I'm just interested to know what the norm is!

I haven't received any form of contract yet, I'm assuming I will when I make the payments next week.

Thank you so much in advance.x

[thatsn0tmyname]

Contact the nursery directly. I don't think they'd tolerate him being in/ out/ in/ out as they can't fill the absent days with another child and still need to pay staff wages.

[NerrSnerr]

We pay when our daughter doesn't attend (when sick or on a day out). They wouldn't necessarily be able to fill the space on for a one off or at short notice so they need paying. I can imagine you'll need to pay over the holidays unless they have a policy for term time only spaces.

The teachers I know use childminders who only work during term time so they don't pay for the holidays.

[Sirzy]

Unless it is a term time only place then you will generally have to pay for each week for the sessions you have.

[SecretSpy]

You're usually paying for the space, so it's standard to pay for the days even if you don't use them eg because he's sick or you're on holiday. Some places may offer term time only, you'll need to ask.

[FramptonRose]

When my oldest was in nursery, we had to pay even if she was off sick/we took her on holiday etc.
They still need to pay the same wages etc so I think you would be hard pushed to find one that didn't charge tbh.
My teacher friends found it easier (and cheaper) to go for a childminder when their children were small, a lot of childminders where we are only seem to do term time care actually.

[sunnydayinmay]

Every nursery I know charges regardless. You are paying for the place, regardless of how you use it.

[KayJBee]

Unless the nursery operates a term time only contract (which is rare) I would expect you'll have to pay year round. You have the place, it's up to you whether you choose to send your child. The only time you wouldn't pay is if the nursery is actually closed.

Saying that I work at a big school that has it own staff nursery, it does do term time only, but it is closed for 2 weeks at easter, 2 weeks at christmas and 6 weeks in the summer (there is a holiday club for 4 weeks in the summer) It is also only open 8-5, so mostly only suits school staff.

[Ilovenannyplum]

Yep, you pay even when they don't go in or if they're ill. If they get sent home ill you also still pay.

If you say you want x and x day then you pay, it's not a drop in type system, they can only take so many children and your DS is blocking out one of those spaces. Staff wages and overheads still need to be paid regardless if you decide to keep your son off.

[megletthesecond]

If the nursery is open all year round you still have to pay for the place during school hols.

[PotteringAlong]

I have a term time only contract at nursery which is a godsend. You will need to ask them on what basis they will do it. If they offer holiday care they may be glad of term time only places to free up staff elsewhere.

[Gillian1980]

In our nursery we have to pay regardless of whether DD is there or not.

I work 3 days a week but when DH and I took a week of annual leave it was nice to have 3 days child free to do couple stuff and DIY and cleaning! Then 2 days of family time.

Next lot of annual leave is at Xmas and we'll keep DD in nursery on her usual days (except for bank hols, when they're closed) and am looking forward to the rest frankly - I'm exhausted!

[insancerre]

Yes, we will charge you if you don't bring him in or he is sick
We also charge for bank holidays

You have booked the place so staff have been employed to care for him
If he doesn't go , the nursery lose money but still have staff to pay

I'm not sure my staff would be happy if I said to one of them, sorry no wages this week as the parents have decided. not to send their children in this week.
They have bills to pay, mortgages and childcare the same as everyone else

You can ask if they do a term time contract, we do but there are conditions

[liquidrevolution]

My DDs nursery has a termtime nursery attached to it which would be a better option for you. They run a holiday club during holidays.

And yes with a normal nursery you still have to pay regardless of whether your DC is ill or on holiday. In fact I still have to pay my childminder (I split it 50/50 between the two)

[Shadowboy]

My nursery is seemingly much more flexible- as long as you give 4 weeks notice they are usually very accommodating to change of hours - for example my daughter usually does 4 full days a week but last week was TT/inset so she did 1 full day and 3 half days. They were fine with it as we gave them a months notice. We also get 2 weeks holiday entitlement where you don't have to pay each year of you give them notice of your holiday.

[AnyTheWiser]

As a teacher, do you get full pay whether the school's attendance rate is 96% or 75%?

Nurseries have to pay the staff they've employed for the two days you have booked whether your son is in nursery or not.

[Florentina27]

I pay monthly installments so I get charged when she is ill as well. The only time I don't have to pay is if I give the well before notice if ia for holiday. Any other changes you have to give a month notice but not sure if they will accept for a temporary situation, of course every nursery is different but doubt they can just bring someone in temporary. Ask and are what they say, they might be ok especially as you are a new customer and might find somewhere else to suit your schedule

[Rose138]

Thank you all so much for your replies.

I popped in today and luckily I'm on a term time contract (I'd selected that on the original paperwork but that was back in January so I'd completely forgotten).

Then if I'd like him to go one morning a week in half term etc they said for me to give 2 weeks notice of this.

Thank you again everyone.x

[MonkeyBrainsInPickle]

My nursery don't make you pay for holidays as long as you give them 1 months notice. You still have to pay if your child is ill and for bank holidays.