Will nursery let me reduce days?

[Quittiana]

I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on whether my child's nursery would let me drop a day for 3/4 months and then pick the day back up again later this year?

I know that I'll only know for sure by asking them but I was wondering if anyone has done this and whether it's normally okay?

They probably will let you drop a day but they won't keep it free for you to pick up again later. If they have a waiting list or anyone else wants it, they'll give it to them.

Mine would let you reduce, but they wouldn't hold the spaces on the other days for me. We'd have to reconfirm the day increase and hope there's space again at the time. Realistically, they are businesses and won't turn down someone wanting those days when you decide to up your sessions again.

Thank you, do you think they would allow it if I gave them the date I'd need to restart?

Possibly but they'd charge you a retainer (usually half the usual cost)

Hello!

We did exactly this whilst I was on maternity leave. We dropped from 4 days to 3 for my eldest but I gave them the date we would want to increase up to 4 again (when I go back to work). It was absolutely fine and they have guaranteed a 4 day space when I go back.

Forgot to add - I explained to them the situation and why I wanted to reduce and they understood. Our youngest will be joining when I go back to work too.

Always worth asking but like you, I worried a lot about it too but it was no issue!

Probably depends if they have a waiting list for extra days or not. Also how many days do you currently do? If you drop a day will it take it below their minimum?

Depends on their policy, waiting list, financial situation, notice period etc.
you’d be best off just asking them tbh.

Thanks everyone. We currently do 4 days and I'd like to reduce to 3 whilst I'm working PT for a few months (between jobs). I will be starting a new FT job in November and will increase the days then.

Just to be clear, you currently do 4 but will be decreasing to 3. Will you then be increasing to 5 days if you are full time?

This might be a slightly different scenario and will depend if they have availability for the 5th day.

Sorry no we'd only need the 4 when I am FT as we have family help 1 day per week

@Quittiana - Makes sense!

Definitely ask them. Our nursery had no issue with this.

The setting I worked in recently wouldn't have been able to afford to keep spaces empty so it really does depend on their own circumstances and waiting list.

Our nursery is fairly flexible and go over and above to help out their current families! We have chopped and changed days a few times over the years and it hasn't been a problem, but I also don't think they've ever been at full capacity. It might be different if there's a waiting list, I'm not sure

Yep. We did this. Dropped days temporarily and they were absolutely fine, I just had to give them the date I wanted the days to increase again when I made the initial request 😊 Though as PP said, guess it depends on nursery waiting lists and time of year etc!

The childcare my daughter went to wouldn't have been able to do this as they had such a long waiting list for additional days and new starters that the day you gave up would have been taken in the hour. All you can do is ask and see what they say.