Not sure really, College nursery have decided to open to the 'public' on certain days and so all the usual 'nursery' rules apply..

[NeedCoffee]

Last year, I didn't have to pay in the holidays as the nursery wasn't open, it was only open in term time as it was there as a service to the students, and it was hard enough getting in there as it was, so don't know why they've changed it-to maximise profits I suppose, but now this term it has gone from £20 to £28 a day as they have no flat rate for the students anymore, just pay per session and they've also told me that I will have to pay a retainer throughout the holidays(the summer hols not included, they will be shut then) but will get 4 weeks half price.

I was already going to struggle to pay, but now it'll be even more difficult, am on benefits, I have had so much of one of my courses covered but have an extra £220 to pay on top of that for exams/resources plus books and hoping to get a grant to cover my other course, which may have a couple of hundred in it to help cover some of the childcare/travel/books etc but these extra fees are really going to stretch me, feel like giving up before I've even started

Does anybody have any ideas and AIBU to be really quite annoyed re the nursery!?

[DoNotPressTheRedButton]

It is normal in Uni nurseries thse days I am afraid, staffr etnetion /profitability eytc.

It's a similar deal to our CM (DH is at Uni doing degreee, I am doing a PT MA)

Have you looked at access funds to cover the difference? Aplly early as they go fast

[purepurple]

If the nursery can make more money by opening in the holidays then that's what they should do. There are lots of campus nurseries that have had to shut down completely.
But, the increase from £20 a day to £28 is a very steep increase for you to bear, as well as the retainer in the holidays.
So, I would say YANBU to feel miffed but I can understand why the nursery has done it.
Speak to the Student Union about claiming any benefits or grants you may be entitled to.

[HappyMummyOfOne]

The nursery needs to run at a profit to stay open so they have to look at ways to do this.

Can you find a partime job to help with the fees?

[NeedCoffee]

Donotpresstheredbutton, it is a college nursery, mainly HE, not a Uni, not sure if it makes much difference. I have been told about the access fee but was told I need to wait and see if I get the Student Finance grant first before I can apply, Its sooo confusing!

[DoNotPressTheRedButton]

You've apllied for student finance?

Ok so what about the childcare grant? It paid for 80% of our fees during my degree, you can aplly at the same time as normal finance so ring them and ask for a form.

Have you not got your finance stuff yet? We were in that boat last week- DH started MOnday and as his carers allowance ceased the day he started Uni we were . Amazing what a bit of ringing every day can achieve, annoy them, get to the top of the pile- ours is now all paid up.

[NeedCoffee]

Happymummy, if I get a job I would have to either work 16 hours a week to get TC and then wouldn't bbe entitled to certain funding, and not sure I could manage that with 2 full days at college and the 2DC or I could try and get one for a few hours but are only allowed to up to £20 a week IYWIM. Also the course I'm doing is a ft condensed into a PT so quite intense!

[NeedCoffee]

Donot-yes applied for student finance but they do not cover ANY of the childcare element anymore for part time courses, stared this year apparantly, unluckily for me.