Nursery charging me for half terms!!

[TaurusMama]

Hi,

Hi at signed 2 yr old up to 2 morning sessions a week and have received the invoice including paying for a half term in Feb when he won’t be there..??

Childcare and the fees are a joke!

The nurseries all capitalising on this lockdown as well, no taster sessions etc.,

Thanks in advance x

Do you have the potion to send him?

What does your contract say? What did you sign up to?

Is it closed in half term op? Most private nurseries aren’t so I’m a bit confused

Did it specify term time only in your contract? If not, it's on you.

Have you said he will only be there term time.

why won't he be there at half term?

Our annual fees are pro-rated so we pay the same every week/month whether nursery is open or closed. The only exception was the first week of Jan when they decided to close after consultation with parents and we got a discount for that.

If it’s open 52 weeks, the expectation is children are sent even in half term. If you keep them off you still pay. It’s not unusual.

My daughters nursery is paid all year round, like all the local nurseries. Is your sons nursery not open in half term?

Most nurseries are full time rather than term time only.
Im a teacher and searched a lot for term time only ones!
It would have been in the contract you signed. Can you check.

This very much depends on whether it's a term time only nursery??

Did you ask if it was a term time nursery when you signed him up? Nurseries are open during school holidays so if you choose not to send him thats your choice. His place is still there for that week. I pay 50% for my DD over summer to keep her place and for her to still attend despite me being a teacher. We pay for all half terms. I dont know any nursery that would close for a half term.

Perfectly normal for a day nursery, especially if it’s not a term time contract. You need to pay to keep the space open.

Are you sure they aren't just dividing the payments for days you want by 12 so you've got the same bill every month.

My early years workplace would either do the invoices that way and add in any extra dates, some parents didn't mention at the time of signing a contract that they don't require the place when schools are closed and then play hell when they realise their mistake and demand refunds.

Unless they're closed, they shouldn't be charging you for days you've made clear you won't be sending him in on. What does your contract say?

You signed up to a private nursery not a school nursery.
You clearly didn’t understand or read your contract, not the nurseries fault at all!

Unless you have a term time only contract, which many nurseries don't offer, you'll have to pay.

Yes, all depends on if they are open or closed during school holidays and what’s in your contract. We go year round so no idea what what term time only people pay. But we do pay 50% for all bank holidays except the two weeks a year they close at Christmas. They still have to pay their staff regardless.

Day nurseries are open year round so you pay for year round (the staff are in whether or not you want your place!)

Seem as most are open during half term then yes I would expect to have to pay and for him to also go..

They key bit of information here is whether you signed up for a term time only slot. As others say, private nurseries provide care 51 weeks a year. The only children at our private nursery who automatically have school holidays off are the 3-4 year olds who are only there for their funded hours (and even then there are top up fees to pay)

You need to clarify if it’s
a nursery attached to a school (so follows school term times and school times eg 9-3 or a half day eg 9-12) - normally only takes children for the year before they start reception
a play school/preschool (which also follows school term times) - these are normally charities/privately run and fairly cheap for a morning or after noon session - normally takes 2.5 and older
or if it’s a private nursery which takes them from babies and is open 8-6 and open all year round including school holidays.

That will very much determine the pay structure and the cost of the fees. For example a private nursery round here was about £50 a day and was for a full day and all year round. Play school was 5 mornings a week 9:30-12:30 and was about £10 a day. (Costs without the early years funding when they are 3)

Unless they are closed then you still need to pay

It’s a private stand alone nursery Not attached to a school - it’s open 39 weeks of the year - 2 sessions my son will be starting are 08:30-1:30pm and it’s not cheap!

I also have to confirm his place for the summer term now, tomorrow and be liable to pay fees up until July.

There is no official contract just letters of confirmation and a prospectus.. even have to provide nappies/wipes and a packed lunch..!

He’s my first and I’m new to all this childcare stuff but have been shocked to say the least!

Does anyone have experience or know what happens if a nursery closes due to COVID??

I’m guessing still liable to pay fees?

I have just received invoice to pay today and have until tomorrow to pay so I need to check a few things first!

Thanks!

@OnlyFoolsnMothers no ones fault just asking for clarification as new to this, have a lovely evening xx

If u haven’t signed a contract they have no right to demand money. Did you ask for only the 15/30free hours ? This isn’t childcare stuff this is business stuff