To think its not fair to have to pay for the nursery Christmas party...?

[Clandy]

Dd's (3) nursery are having a Christmas party at nursery, they are getting a magician, food (but I pay for lunches any way) and party games. I have to pay £5 or keep her off. Me and dh work full time so there is no way we can keep her off. I pay £1200 pounds a month on flaming childcare for my dc's. Now I have to pay £5 for her to attend a session I'm already paying for! Is this normal and I'm bu??

YANBU.
This is highly unfair - of course you shouldn't have to pay for her to attend her usual nursery session (fair enough if this wasn't her regular day/time, but not if it is when she would normally be in).

It's basically blackmail, isn't it? 'Give us £5 or we won't let you have the childcare you've paid for.'

I'd send her in without the money. If they don't accept her then take them to the small claims court to get the daily rate refunded plus the cost of finding alternative last-minute childcare.

What if the child doesn't celebrate Christmas for religious (or any other) reason? Do the parents still have to pay the £5?

Are you absolutely sure you have to pay for the session? We have to pay a contribution for our preschool party, open to all children, wherever their sessions fall, but no-one is charged for the actual session. It is unfair the other children just pay the £5 and no session charge.

I think what I would do, is work out how much time £5 buys, if it's 30 mins for example, you just say 'OK, well I will bring her in as normal but pick her up 30 mins early and you can take the £5 out of that. YADNBU.

Sorry but what are you saying that those who wouldn't normally be there should pay for the full session ? Because you have to ?

The phrase swings and roundabouts comes to mind

I wouldn't pay, and if they asked I'd say that I thought the £5 charge was for children who don't normally attend on that day, as you've already paid for that day.

At state nursery it is usual to bring a plate or contribute a few pound but I have never been asked to pay for extras at private nursery. I think it is very unfair to say that you can't come if you can't pay and not exactly in keeping with the Christmas spirit.

"Take them to the small claims court". That's helpful.

Or you could just ask for a refund rather than commence litigation ;-)

DD's nursery has never asked for extra, even in parties when there's been a gift and Santa. I would pay but resent it. Nurseries are entertaining enough .. they don't need a magician!

Of course I'm not suggesting that children not attending the session should pay for a session- it just seems unfair that I'm paying for a session plus a fiver and they are getting 2 hours childcare for a fiver! Obviously some if my five pounds is paying for staff to cover so others can go. I accept there is little way around this as it would be just as unfair to say if children don't attend that session they cannot come. I am scrimping and saving to afford to live and five pounds wasted in something I'm already paying for has pissed me right off. I'm sure I have to pay for the session too as I pay in advance so I have already paid.

YANBU.

You are already paying for them to look after your child that day. They should offer the option of your child not doing the party, or allow you to take your child out for the day and get a refund for that days charge.

are you sure you have paid for that day?
if so, speak to the nursery about it and ask for a refund for that day
I wonder if it is free for everyone but a fiver for food if that makes sense?

do you have the days you have been invoiced for? take that in as proof