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Suspension

9 replies

Krabbybabby · 15/04/2017 11:59

My child's nursery have advised via letter that her place has been suspended due to a disagreement with her father. The disagreement was 6 of one and half a dozen of another and they are not being entirely honest about the part they played. I guess that is unlikely to be reconciled.

My question is where do I stand regarding this suspension? I only received a basic contract at the start. If they choose to suspend her with very little notice should I be reimbursed for sessions paid that she now cannot attend?

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BackforGood · 16/04/2017 00:23

What did he do?

You mean they have given you notice? Or just said she cannot come back, from now ?
In which case, I ask again what he did?

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PerspicaciaTick · 16/04/2017 00:28

Suspension implies that it may be a temporary situation? Or have they given you notice and withdrawn your child's place entirely.

Are you currently working with the nursery to get the place reinstated, or do you just want to get a refund of any money owing so you can move to a different nursery?

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Krabbybabby · 16/04/2017 09:18

They have accused him of causing damage to their property while parking his car. He fully admitted that his car tapped a fence but the damage they are saying this has resulted in is unreasonable and he is not happy to accept liability for that. The men who approached him were aggressive and did not introduce themselves or behave in a reasonable or professional manner so it sounds like the whole exchange turned into a tit for tat testosterone fuelled playground row with no constructive resolution being reached.

We only use the nursery on a Friday and this last week has passed and we have heard nothing from them. The nursery was closed this past week with it being Good Friday. Yesterday he received a letter with an invoice demanding payment telling us our place was suspended and if payment was not received in 7 days the place would be withdrawn.

To be honest I'm shocked by all of this. Why have they left it a week to make contact and the nursery manager that we deal with and have a relationship not called a meeting with us to rationally discuss the situation after a cooling off period. These men did not introduce themselves, their opening line as they approached him was to aggressively say 'Are you going to pay for that?' And so the conversation disintegrated.

The letter states that he was politely approached which was not the case at all. It also states the nursery manager spoke to him, which she didn't, she appeared at the very end pleading with this man to leave it and go back inside, she did not attempt to mediate or resolve the situation.

In my mind this disagreement is a civil matter and I feel I they are coercing us into accepting liability for something by using our nursery contract with them as leverage. I understand that tempers should remain calm and they state a zero tolerance policy to their staff being spoken to rudely but the truth of this matter is these men were not polite and they did not introduce themselves or identify themselves as staff, so if you don't behave in a polite professional manner you cannot demand that in return.

So as I said I do not see there is a clear way to resolve this dispute because they are demanding payment and not offering any mediation.

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insancerre · 16/04/2017 15:17

So he damage the fence and they have suspended your place until the damage has been paid for?

So pay the damages and your child can return

Or tell them you are not paying and find another nursery

They have don it in writing so they have a proper record when hey sue you for damages to the fence if you don't pay

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Krabbybabby · 16/04/2017 22:42

No he hasn't damaged the fence, I have only taken a quick look at said fence but there doesn't appear to be a scratch on it, despite him tapping it. The fence post, which he did not come into contact with looks solid and sturdy and again no marks on it. The problem is a crack on the floor under the fence post. I need to understand how him tapping a fence made of wood which is pliable to take a small impact can result in no damage to fence or post but can create damage to the foundation. At this moment in time that is not making a lot of sense to me. I am not an unreasonable person and if after speaking to them next week I believe it to be our fault I will willingly take responsibility and pay for repairs.

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Krabbybabby · 16/04/2017 23:00

Posted that too soon. I wanted to say my question surrounding all this, is not about liability and wether we should pay or not. What I am struggling with is we have a contract in place for childcare, I am bothered that this contract is being held to ransom by what is a civil matter and not related to our childcare agreement. We are told that the place will be withdrawn if this bill is not settled but at this moment in time I do not feel there is enough evidence to prove the damage was caused by my partner. I am confident that a calm, rational conversation could resolve this and an agreement can be reached but I have an array of questions over how the situation was and is being handled via this letter which is not factually correct and what that means for our relationship going forward. If when I arrange to meet with them to discuss this, I am met with the same aggression my partner was or their attitude reflects the tone of their letter where they do not appear to be open to discuss the incident, just demand payment for something which they have not actually proved satisfactorily was caused by my partner it could lead to a break down in relations and I want to know what this means in terms of our contract.

I am listed on their records as the first point of contact and primary caregiver but the letter they have sent was addressed to DP so officially they haven't even bothered to notify me of the situation.

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BoneyBackJefferson · 16/04/2017 23:13

Re damage to fence, tell them to go through your insurance.

Re contract make an appointment to see a solicitor and find out where you stand.

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HSMMaCM · 17/04/2017 12:09

The post could have been pushed, cracked the foundations and resettled?

Damage to nursery property is often tied in with childcare contracts, so have a look at yours.

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Allthebestnamesareused · 21/04/2017 17:07

Either pay it or send to your husband's car insurance company to pay it.

Of course hitting the post can cause it to rock and crack the floor nearby.

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