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

[Mummyoflittledragon]

I think you should query how this works with the nursery. Do you have a copy of the contract to hand?

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Oh sorry you don’t have a contract. Forgot that before posting 🙄

[itsgettingweird]

39 week/40 week preschools don't charge for holidays.

50 week nurseries will often charge because they are open and can't use space if you want term time only.

But they are accommodating in my experience. For example I wanted term time only and another child in ds class had a 5 yo sibling who mum wanted to book in for holidays. So we shared the space iyswim?

[Scottishskifun]

@TaurusMama

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!

It's dependent on the nursery. A few charged full fees although I think they were encouraged to use this as credit in many cases, others charged a percentage retainer fee and some didn't charge at all.

If the nursery is open for half terms and you don't have a term time contract then yes your expected to pay just like if you are on holiday yourself when the nursery is open or you're child gets sick or self isolates you still pay.

I suggest checking out the government 20% scheme to see if you qualify it's for working parents but makes a difference to fees.

[DianaT1969]

You need to speak to them about terms. Ask all questions, get stuff in writing. Ignore their deadlines until you are happy. Consider finding a childminder if paying such large amounts up front in this climate is too risky.

[FoxtrotSkarloey]

Presumably - but guessing - if they are only open 39 weeks per year, the fee is divided by 12 to give an equal, more budget friendly, charge each month?

[BackforGood]

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



Seriously ?
The work (and expense) Nurseries have had to put in to trying to keep their staff and the children that attend, safe, is immense.
I can't believe anyone would actually think this

[Pearlwindow]

Agree with backforgood. Many nurseries are struggling to survive and many simply won’t survive the pandemic, they’re definitely not capitalising

[ImBoredAgain]

Depends whether you signed up to term time or a full time place..

Most you still have to pay whether they’re ill/on holiday etc

[ivfbeenbusy]

Sounds like you are on the standard full year contract which means yes you will pay for all
Holidays. You have to specifically ask for a term time contract and often nurseries only allow teachers to have those.
Unfortunately if you are new to all this you wouldn't know to ask - I was a bit naive to it all with first child. Definitely wised up now!!
Most nurseries have a specific covid policy in place now - ask for a copy. A lot of the new policies are much LESS generous than they were in the first lockdown where many parents didn't have to pay fees

[Lazypuppy]

Have you got the option to send him during half term? Is your son having a year round place or term time only?

My dd nursery charges us the same amount every month, basically annual total divided by 12. We don't pay for 1 week at xmas or bank holidays, but theee are averaged over the whole year.

If you aren't happy with the nursery then find another, but nurseries have done a great job to stay open during the past year. Yes nursery is expensive but that shoild be no surpise to anyone!

[Pearlwindow]

@ivfbeenbusy

Sounds like you are on the standard full year contract which means yes you will pay for all
Holidays. You have to specifically ask for a term time contract and often nurseries only allow teachers to have those.
Unfortunately if you are new to all this you wouldn't know to ask - I was a bit naive to it all with first child. Definitely wised up now!!
Most nurseries have a specific covid policy in place now - ask for a copy. A lot of the new policies are much LESS generous than they were in the first lockdown where many parents didn't have to pay fees

Op has already said the nursery is only open 39 weeks a year so why would she need a term time only contract?

[ChrissyPlummer]

Why are people saying that OP has to pay as if it’s a full time nursery? She’s stated they are only open for 39 weeks of the year, so they are closed for 13 weeks and she has to pay for some of these??

[BingBongToTheMoon]

@TaurusMama

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!

That all sounds perfectly normal.
Did you not do any research into this before making your choice?

[Bananabuddy3]

Some nurseries, even if only open / or you only book for term time only, will take the total amount for the year and divide it by 12 and therefore charge you the same each month. My old nursery did. Saves parents from not knowing what’s coming out of their bank each month, and keeps the nursery income steady. Otherwise, months where there’s school holidays will cause a cash flow problem. Staff pay will be the same - totalled for the year and divided by 12, rent / mortgage don’t disappear during school holidays for the nursery building and water / gas etc, whilst obviously not used as much in holidays, like in houses, will be a set bill.
There will be a contract of sorts coming, you’ll have to sign the dotted line on some sort of document in order to leave your son there. Just ask (nicely) and I’m sure you will have a perfectly reasonable and acceptable reason for billing remaining the same over half term.

Yes, childcare is expensive. That’s down to government policy and total lack of funding. You’re on cloud cuckoo land if you think they’re capitalising during COVID. The one down the road from me has just gone bust. Once your child hits 3 they will start to benefit from some funded hours. Not free, funded.

It’s expensive because they cost a lot to run. It’s no longer a role that the girls who failed everything at school just go to to have an easy job. Decent pass grades in maths and English are now required as well as a high percentage of staff with the Level 3 minimum qualification. This costs money. Staff who have worked their backsides off for a level 3 or foundation degree or a full BA honours in Early Years are going to want (and deserve) more than the minimum wage (a degree in a nursery will probably get you an extra 30p an hour as it is). Additional training (eg First Aid and Safeguarding) are also not cheap. Plus the equipment, resources, furniture - we looked to revamp our tired looking preschool and got the brochure for Early Years furniture - a single chair was about £45! Every time a book case breaks they’re looking at a three figure bill unless they go for an IKEA trip or such which don’t survive the hustle and bustle for long.....

Every nursery I’ve been to has told parents to supply nappies and wipes. Largely due to different parents wanting different brands and some children reacting badly to certain brands. Likewise sunscreen and baby formulas and bottles.

I’m sorry OP but you got my back up with that capitalising comment. Having spent most of career in nurseries I can absolutely assure you, they are not in a strong position right now. Settle sessions are limited because of COVID restrictions. They’re a nightmare to work around - a settling in session often means the parent stays in the building and right now that can’t happen, not to mention the bubbles. That’s why sadly new children are having to dive straight in.

COVID matter with regards to money will depend on your nursery and there’s no blanket answer. You’ll know when you need to but don’t assume the worst. My old nursery charged around 10% of the normal bill just to cover maintenance and upkeep and rent. All staff furloughed and not topped up.

Early Years is a sector that is failed miserably by lack of funding. I’m dreading it. I want to have children - I look at my income and like you OP I’m thinking bloody hell how is this manageable?! It’s going to eat my entire budget! I don’t know how I will hopefully do it.

[WalkingOnStarshine]

I don't understand why they want you to pay when they're closed in the holidays, that doesn't sound right. Also not all nurseries are like this, some won't charge bank holidays, if you're isolating due to covid, etc. Could you look elsewhere?

[LolaSmiles]

If they are only open 39 weeks of the year then it sounds like they have the yearly rate invoiced in 12 equal payments.


Either way your attitude to the nursery is really unreasonable. They aren't capitalising on lockdown. They're trying to manage when theyve been routinely overlooked by the government and many of us simply couldn't work without them.

As a parent I'd be more upset if my child's nursery was having lots of children in and out for tasters because we are in the middle of a pandemic.

Equally it's fairly standard to provide nappies and wipes for your child. The cost of childcare is to have trained practitioners providing good quality childcare, not cover every expense for your child.

If you're not happy with your nursery then you can always find another.

[iusedtohavechickens]

I pay all year but my LO goes all year except for the two weeks they are closed over Xmas. We even got a refund for her isolation when the nursery had to close her bubble. I also provide nappies wipes and lunch but they provide all snacks and breakfast (she would get dinner but I pick her up before then even though I pay until 6. X

[handsforfeet]

Of course you pay for holidays, unless you've applied for term time only.

It's fairly standard to supply nappies, etc.

Research is your friend, and not assuming providers are taking the piss. Your attitude is pretty poor in your op.

[MostlyAmbridgeandcoffee]

That’s pretty standard op

[SueEllenMishke]

It's pretty standard tbh.
They are still a business and have wages and costs to pay.

[lyingwanker]

It's not "pretty standard" wherever I've lived to pay for 13 weeks of childcare that you don't even receive unless it's because they've divided the 39 weeks into equal monthly payments across the year.

[LolaSmiles]

It's not "pretty standard" wherever I've lived to pay for 13 weeks of childcare that you don't even receive unless it's because they've divided the 39 weeks into equal monthly payments across the year
I think most of the 'it's standard' commentary come from the fact that for many parents they have a year round contract and it's fairly standard for parents to pay for school holidays even if they don't need to use the nursery. Plus, the OP seems surprised she has to provide nappies and wipes for her child, which is fairly standard.

It's more likely that the OP's nursery is doing what you suggest: dividing the cost of 39 weeks by 12.

[MrsHugsxx]

Yes it's normal that you would pay unless you're claiming the free hours and only entitled to term time. Then you wouldn't pay for that.