Nursery Charging when they are closed

[InWithTheITCrowd]

Can I just ask what folks think of this? It isn't an IABU in real terms, as I haven't done anything! I just think it's a bit odd.

DS (16 months) has started nursery this week as I am back to work. He is only going for 1 dday a weeks, which is a Friday, but it will be a full day from 7:30am until 4:30pm.

He starts tomorrow (17th Dec) and nursery have told me that my 1st month's fee starts from the 3rd Dec, which was the 1st Friday of this calendar month. Fair enough, if that's how they charge - on a calendar month basis, rather than from the start date. I have no issue with that.
When I took him yesterday for his induction, I had to pay 2 months fees in advance (1 day a week is £35, 1 month is £151 so £302) and then was told that nursery are only open from 9am until 12noon next Friday as it's Christmas Eve, so I will have to find alternative childcare, as I am unable to take him during those times. Then I was also told that the following Friday (30th Dec) nursery are closed as they are decorating.
I asked if there would be a reduction in fees, and they said no.
So, basically, I have paid £151 for ONE DAY at nursery during December.

Now, I understand that they are a business, and that we have to pay if we can't go ourselves, or if our days happen to fall on a bank holiday, etc - but if they are closed for 2 dates that I have paid for, is it right that I be charged for them (and for the previous 2 Fridays in December that I have paid for, but didn't attend as they were prior to his start date!?)

I am new to this nursery business, so are they right, or should I perhaps challenge it?

Thanks

I wouldn't be happy if I was expected to pay for days I could not use that weren't bank holidays. Our nursery charges for every day you are allocated even if you are not in so no discounts for holidays but they don't close over Christmas and New Year apart from bank holidays. If they were closing a half day I would expect not to pay and I would complain about closing for decorating - surely that can be done on a weekend?

Ds/DD's nursery have a half day on xmas eve & NY eve, which we still have to pay a full day for. This pisses me off, but it was in the T&Cs when I signed up with them. We also have to pay for bank holidays.

Like others, DD's nursery close from 1pm on Xmas Eve and reopens in Jan but they don't charge for this and annualise the 51 week cost, so you pay the same every month. They don't open on bank hols but we knew that and refunded us for days last Jan where they closed due to snow.
So, being charged for when they are closed, doesn't seem unreasonable - provided they told you this up front and you signed up for it.

However, i agree you shouldn't have to pay for days before DS started at nursery. Perhaps have a chat with the the nursery manager, or change nurseries? You still have time as your DS isn't yet settled there.

Ask for a copy of their terms and conditions you should have had it along with any contract you have with them, sounds like extortion to me.

MrsArchchancellor - Refunded for snow days?

if they shut not your fault and should not have to pay,if you miss a day you pay,I'd look for another nursery this sounds like a rip off,probably finding it tight in the reccession.

My nursery take the whole year, minus the bank holidays and then divide it by 12 to create a monthly fee figure - perhaps your nursery do the same?

Our nursery charged when they were shut but some of this was taken into account with the other fees the rest of the time. Also, it helped retain staff. The same, excellent staff had worked there for years and still work there now because the conditions are good. And I'd pay the extra again now for that continuity and experience.

But yanbu. The situation you describe does sound unreasonable.

lol at the see thats why i dont use nursery quips.any bleedin excuse to harrumph about nurseries for some of you

if nursery chose to close they dont charge.i understand why you are cross.take up with their HQ