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Daughter starting nursery job, expected unpaid early starts and late finishes

279 replies

Nurserynewby12 · 22/03/2026 21:28

My daughter is looking forward to beginning a new job this week in childcare. She interviewed really well and will be studying for a qualification too. This all seems great. I work in accounts so do not know much about nursery care work but she has told me she has to start fifteen minutes early every day and will have to stay later than her finish time if parents are late or cleaning needs to be done. Both of these early and late instances will apparantly be unpaid. I do not know about nursery things much but did think this is unpaid work and not legal? Is there different rules for nurseries? I think if this happens all time she is being exploited whether she gets a qualification or not? She does not know as she is new to this area of work. I want to protect her from being exploited but need views from childcare/employment lawyers? Anyone around from employment law or a nursery manager to advise?

OP posts:
randomchap · 22/03/2026 21:38

Will the extra hours take her below minimum wage?

Cross posted.

Then the extra unpaid work will take her below minimum wage. That's illegal

Nurserynewby12 · 22/03/2026 21:38

Paid hourly minimum wage

OP posts:
HoskinsChoice · 22/03/2026 21:37

Is she salaried or paid hourly?

OhBumBags · 22/03/2026 21:33

I think with most public facing roles you need to be prepared to finish a bit later, due to trying to clear the building/area.

I work with the public and there's always 15 minutes give or take expected.

Any more than 15 minutes and we can submit a time sheet to claim for half an hour.

As for starting earlier, as long as they're on the premises with their coats off, bags stored away and ready to actually work at their starting time, I don't think they should be expected any earlier.

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