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Original poster

NURSERY DON'T WANT RETURN MONEY

50 replies

Afforde · 15/10/2020 09:25

Hiya, Can anyone help with the advice, please?
My DS started nursery trial sessions and after the last one, I decided to stop it because he did cry a lot in the nursery. I paid a deposit and one monthly fee.
The admin saying now that she can give me only the deposit back and not the monthly fee because in the contract it says we need to tell her about the cancellation in advance like a month. BUT we had only a few settling sessions and did not know if we would carry on or not.
I don't know what to say...

OP posts:
HilaryBriss · 15/10/2020 09:35

I would say that if you signed a contract that says you must give a months notice and you didn't, then they are right not to return your monthly fee.

FourPlasticRings · 15/10/2020 09:37

I think you're lucky to get the deposit back tbh. Usually those are non-refundable.

ScarMatty · 15/10/2020 09:42

You're lucky to get the deposit back!

They could have potentially declined multiple children your 'space' because they thought you would be starting

You're absolutely not entitled to any money back

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Childcare & nursery Families
2pinkginsplease · 15/10/2020 09:42

Many children cry when they first start nursery it's very common.

You'll be lucky to get any money back if you signed a contract.

peachypetite · 15/10/2020 09:43

Sounds like the contract is clear.

BIWI · 15/10/2020 09:45

Why are you shouting?! No need to use caps.

As PP have said, you signed a contract

nimbuscloud · 15/10/2020 09:45

I agree that you are fortunate to get the deposit back.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 15/10/2020 09:48

You signed a contract that states you need to give 4 weeks notice, so no they don't owe you any money back at all. You are lucky to be offered the deposit.

MindyStClaire · 15/10/2020 09:51

You're lucky to get the deposit back!

They could have potentially declined multiple children your 'space' because they thought you would be starting

You're absolutely not entitled to any money back

This.

Many children cry when they first start nursery it's very common.

And this.

Sorry OP.

decoraters · 15/10/2020 09:51

we had only a few settling sessions and did not know if we would carry on or not.

You don't sign up for that though. You sign for a place and then it's normal to need a months notice to quit.

Changedmynameagain1 · 15/10/2020 09:53

Yes unfortunately that is the case Op, essentially they have held the place for you and another parent who needed the spot hasn’t got it. Hence why they ask for the first month upfront.

Nursery contracts tend to require 4 weeks notice so essentially your money upfront has paid for your 4 weeks notice.

Sorry Op

StellaGib · 15/10/2020 09:57

Usually deposits aren’t refundable so it’s good you got that back. If the contact is a month notice then it’s fair they keep the fees.

Soubriquet · 15/10/2020 09:58

Agree with what others have said

Many children cry when they are getting used to it

PotteringAlong · 15/10/2020 10:01

I think you say “thank you very much for giving me the deposit back, that’s really generous of you”.

edwinbear · 15/10/2020 10:16

They need to find another child to take your DC's place, so completely normal to keep a full months fees.

AriettyHomily · 15/10/2020 10:19

At least you are getting the deposit back.

Lots of children cry at first.

mopphead · 15/10/2020 10:20

Sorry OP I also think this is fair enough... Settling in is not a trial, it's to settle them before they start properly. I would say a few tears is normal, but only you know if it's right for your DS. If you've already paid for the month, might they let you use those sessions (youd.have to pay deposit I imagine)? You could pick DS early so he gets used to it, not doing a full day, and then its really not for him, you can quit.

KihoBebiluPute · 15/10/2020 10:23

It's not unreasonable for them to keep this money, the place they made available for your child will be empty until they make arrangements with the next child on the waiting list, meanwhile they still have to pay wages, bills etc.

It is unreasonable to go into an arrangement like this without understanding that all little kids get anxious and upset for their first few weeks of nursery and that they do settle down and get used to it. If you gave up after only a few settling sessions you didn't give it a reasonable chance and you wasted everyone's time and energy. You don't get to do that without taking a financial hit - the alternative would be that someone else has to take the hit and that would be very unfair - this situation is of your own making.

MadameMeursault · 15/10/2020 10:24

How old is he? If he’s a year or just over separation anxiety is very common. You probably should’ve persevered.

Totally reasonable of the nursery not to give you the money back if you’d signed a contract, as PPs have said.

PumpkinetChocolat · 15/10/2020 10:24

Why do you think the staff who took care of your child should not be paid?

If you are on probation or do a trial period at work, you get paid for your hours, even if you are let go. It's the same thing for the nursery.

You are lucky to get the deposit back, they are doing you a favour already: your child took the space of someone else, the nursery is losing out.

LoftyLucy · 15/10/2020 10:25

Didn't you read the contract before signing it?

SillyMoomin · 15/10/2020 10:35

Think you need to write this off OP, the cornet would have stated this

lifesalongsong · 15/10/2020 10:35

Say to whom?

No-one has done anything wrong apart from maybe you if you didn't read the contract. Have a word with yourself for next time

NoProblem123 · 15/10/2020 10:39

Get your money’s worth and drop your dog off.

RozHuntleysStump · 15/10/2020 10:43

@NoProblem123

Get your money’s worth and drop your dog off.
lmao