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Original poster

To think it’s actually really unfair to be charged for bank holidays at nursery?

282 replies

bouncinround · 20/05/2025 18:08

And no, I’m not going to complain about it because I don’t want anyone to think I begrudge the staff a day off. I don’t. But I do resent paying for a service I’m not receiving.

OP posts:
footpath · 20/05/2025 18:22

I'm p/t but work Mondays so I can get paid for bank holidays.

amele · 20/05/2025 18:21

My child goes 4 days a week and I purposely picked Tuesday-Friday to avoid the bank holiday issue

Mynewnameis · 20/05/2025 18:20

Some change Some don't. It will be reflected in fees either way.
One reason i decided to drop working Monday when I reduced my hours!

footpath · 20/05/2025 18:20

I get paid for bank holidays so can't agree.

RaininSummer · 20/05/2025 18:20

I think they should build it into their fees so it isn't seen as being charged for no service just covered by the company out of all revenue.

CheeseCakeSunflowers · 20/05/2025 18:19

It does seem unfair that people using the nursery Tuesday to Friday are rarely affected but Monday users get this often. It would be much fairer to share the cost of it between all customers in the same way most businesses allow for the cost of staff leave when calculating their prices.

Original poster
bouncinround · 20/05/2025 18:19

TourangaLeila · 20/05/2025 18:18

But then your still paying for it. It's just perception.

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It’s spread across all the children though, not just Monday attendees.

OP posts:
footpath · 20/05/2025 18:19

But who pays the staff for bank holidays if they don't charge for it?

Original poster
bouncinround · 20/05/2025 18:18

TVWife · 20/05/2025 18:16

By charging more on the days when children do attend.

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The thing is, when the nursery is closed there are no food costs or electric costs or even wear and tear.

Our nursery is a fairly successful local chain, with five nurseries in the county and another opening soon. It isn’t a struggling small business and could easily afford to pay staff for bank holidays without charging Mondays children for a day they aren’t going.

OP posts:
TourangaLeila · 20/05/2025 18:18

TVWife · 20/05/2025 18:16

By charging more on the days when children do attend.

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But then your still paying for it. It's just perception.

Bucdynovehbkfdg · 20/05/2025 18:18

This is why I don’t send my kid to nursery on Mondays and Fridays (I know I’m lucky to have family help). I don’t want to pay for days I won’t get.

TourangaLeila · 20/05/2025 18:17

bouncinround · 20/05/2025 18:14

Out of their profits.

The reason it annoys me is because if you send your child on a Monday then you get hit with a charge for a service you don’t get. But if you send your child on a Thursday you don’t.

Mine attend Mondays and Fridays so this is the fourth one this year.

And no, I don’t get paid if I don’t go to work. But I don’t mind them being paid. I just don’t feel it should be from my pocket.

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So tell me, how does a nursery (or any business) make a profit?

ThejoyofNC · 20/05/2025 18:17

I've never used a nursery and never will, but I think that's ridiculous. How can they justify charging you for a service you're not using?

TVWife · 20/05/2025 18:16

CopperWhite · 20/05/2025 18:14

That doesn’t answer the question though. It’s lovely that you don’t begrudge them a day off, but how do you expect them to get paid if their employer doesn’t get paid?

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By charging more on the days when children do attend.

LegoLandslide · 20/05/2025 18:16

TVWife · 20/05/2025 18:15

If they didn't charge for bank holidays they would have to charge more for the other days in order to cover costs but I do think it would be fairer on parents.

It seems unfair that a place for a child attending Monday, Tuesday and Friday costs the same as for one attending Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday when most bank holidays are on Mondays/Fridays

Yes this would be a much fairer approach!

IsIroningEssential · 20/05/2025 18:15

I think it should be factored into the business costs - the same as when most people get paid bank holidays from businesses.

CurlewKate · 20/05/2025 18:15

Yep. Let’s dock the staff a day’s pay for every Bank Holiday. That’s a good idea!

dontcomeatme · 20/05/2025 18:15

Hoydenish · 20/05/2025 18:13

yy don't use nursery on Mondays. Easiest way to avoid the bank hol gritted teeth.

I will be changing my DS day because of this !

TVWife · 20/05/2025 18:15

If they didn't charge for bank holidays they would have to charge more for the other days in order to cover costs but I do think it would be fairer on parents.

It seems unfair that a place for a child attending Monday, Tuesday and Friday costs the same as for one attending Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday when most bank holidays are on Mondays/Fridays

Original poster
bouncinround · 20/05/2025 18:14

LegoLandslide · 20/05/2025 18:12

Yes, for everything else you pay a little extra every other working day and it works itself out. Nursery is the only example I've come across where you literally pay extra for a service you don't receive, if you only access it part time.

I agree it's annoying but I also accept that being annoyed is pointless as its now an industry standard.

I know. I do find it frustrating but as I say I wouldn’t complain. Just venting a tad!

OP posts:
CopperWhite · 20/05/2025 18:14

bouncinround · 20/05/2025 18:09

I literally say in my post I don’t begrudge the staff a day off. That’s not what this is about.

That doesn’t answer the question though. It’s lovely that you don’t begrudge them a day off, but how do you expect them to get paid if their employer doesn’t get paid?

dontcomeatme · 20/05/2025 18:14

I don't pay for bank holidays ??
Attached images to show a bill for a normal month and then this month.

To think it’s actually really unfair to be charged for bank holidays at nursery?
To think it’s actually really unfair to be charged for bank holidays at nursery?
Original poster
bouncinround · 20/05/2025 18:14

TourangaLeila · 20/05/2025 18:11

So, how will they pay the staff if you don't pay for the day?

Show quote history

Out of their profits.

The reason it annoys me is because if you send your child on a Monday then you get hit with a charge for a service you don’t get. But if you send your child on a Thursday you don’t.

Mine attend Mondays and Fridays so this is the fourth one this year.

And no, I don’t get paid if I don’t go to work. But I don’t mind them being paid. I just don’t feel it should be from my pocket.

OP posts:
Cynic17 · 20/05/2025 18:13

If they don't charge the clients (ie you, OP), how do they pay staff wages, business rates, insurance, professional fees etc etc? The business still incurs costs, even when closed - it's basic economics.

Hoydenish · 20/05/2025 18:13

yy don't use nursery on Mondays. Easiest way to avoid the bank hol gritted teeth.