So who is going to ask their money back from nursery?

[Italianmoma1983]

It was illegal from the nurseries to charge a retainer so they could guarantee your child a space after the lockdown has ended ! I think
lots of nurseries are going to be ruined because of it :(

[Samcj02]

Mines a retainer fee that they kept charging even though I’d pulled my child out due to not affording the fee, I explain this and the fee was still forced upon me I felt pressured into paying it even though I explained my circumstances so for that reason, yes I will! I work in early years and it’s unfortunate, but trying to make people pay when they’re struggling isn’t right IMO x

[Samcj02]

It also stated that retainers should be Voluntary and in my case they certainly were not x

[Willow4987]

What’s happened? I haven’t seen anything about retainers?

[Samcj02]

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904194/Open_letter_to_Nursery_and_Early_Years__settings.pdf

[Willow4987]

Thanks @Samcj02 I’ll take a look

[SMaCM]

I think there will be a lot more nurseries closing if people start claiming. However ... they should have been clear about what the payment was for.

[Fandabydosey]

I can tell you that before lock down ofsted recorded a huge 500 nurseries closing per month. Due to funding 3 Yr places nurseries couldn't claim the furlough money promised. This announcement came after early years providers put staff on furlough. The government talked about how every single person will be affected and that we will all have to make some sort of sacrifice. No body has been through this in their lifetime and most people are just trying to do their best. As things start to return to normal child care will be needed in one form or another. If everyone claimed their money back then there will be no childcare.

[Jumblebumblemess]

I paid full fees throughout. No I will not be claiming it back. I want and need my childcare to be there. They are like family to us and as we were still being paid in full (wfh) why would I make a profit and put other families into hardship?

[coffeeforone]

No. I want the nursery to survive and the staff to keep their jobs and will do everything I can to contribute.

[JustHereWithPopcorn]

I wouldn't, too many nursery's closing as it is