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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be annoyed at the way nursery fees are charged?

27 replies

BeanCalledPickle · 21/02/2016 18:13

I have a nearly four year old and a six month old baby. Both are in nursery three days a week. Nursery charges 58 a day for an over three and 61 for an under three on a daily basis. If you are full time you are charged at 51/55.

Nursery is entirely privately run. I have recently discovered that they are charging other children the full time day rate even though they are part time. This is a difference of seven quid and six quid for each child which actually adds up to two grand a year. The other parents have shown me their fee breakdown so I know it's what they are actually being charged. The children are of almost identical ages; there are literally days between them. It's not the funding; the fees quoted split that off so I can see the effect that has.

Contacted nursery who will not comment on other parents fees but have confirmed mine are correct and in accordance with publisher rates. Which they are.

Am I being unreasonable to feel really bitter about this? Im paying what I should but they are paying 2k a year less for the same thing. If we hadn't discussed it then I wouldn't know of course. Im otherwise happy with nursery but this leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. Threatening to leave is pointless as its full with a waiting list.

OP posts:

Passthecake30 · 21/02/2016 18:15

Is there a sibling discount that you are entitled to that others aren't?

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 21/02/2016 18:16

Literally comparing like for like; we are all getting a sibling discount as well

OP posts:

Cindy34 · 21/02/2016 18:17

UANBU though maybe the parents negotiated the fee.

Did they start at nursery before you? Perhaps the fee structure changed at some point and existing customers stayed on the old pricing structure.

MrsH1989 · 21/02/2016 18:18

I don't think yabu. Nursery fees really frustrate me! We get charged for 51 weeks a year and because DS is in full time, we have to pay for bank holidays even though they are closed. If, however, he was part time and mondays were "his day", they would allow him to have the day back on a day he may normally be home. E.g normal days mon, tues, weds but attend tues, weds, thurs on bank holiday weeks. Massively unfair! And quite a rip off. I am assuming you are in London because those fees are worse than mine!

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 21/02/2016 18:20

Nope, started within weeks of each other. It is simply a case that they are paying the full time day rate for a part time place when I'm paying the part time day rate for the same thing.

OP posts:

StarlingMurmuration · 21/02/2016 18:20

I don't blame you for being annoyed, I'd be fuming. I'm not sure what you can do about it though :(

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 21/02/2016 18:22

Yeah London. For two kids three days a week it's 1.5 k a month. And we have to pay 52 weeks a year. That's 18k when it could be 16k.

OP posts:

WickedWax · 21/02/2016 18:22

I'd be annoyed too. But ultimately, you agreed a fee with the nursery and signed a contract. Maybe the other parents were cheeky and asked for the discount, or they negotiated better than you?

Witchend · 21/02/2016 18:22

Do they have older siblings? They may have agreed to charge the same as they paid for siblngs.

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 21/02/2016 18:22

Oh and they didn't negotiate. They have no idea why they've got so much of a better deal but don't want to rock the boat and lose it!

OP posts:

Witchend · 21/02/2016 18:23

Do they have older siblings? They may have agreed to charge the same as they paid for siblngs.

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 21/02/2016 18:23

No older siblings. We really are comparing like for like!

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Witchend · 21/02/2016 18:24

Sorry for double post.

Babyroobs · 21/02/2016 18:25

Gosh those figures are huge, I'm surprised anyone can afford to work.

Katenka · 21/02/2016 18:25

It is simply a case that they are paying the full time day rate for a part time place when I'm paying the part time day rate for the same thing

I don't get it. If they are paying full time rate for a part time place, how would yours be cheaper?

Sorry I think I am being thick

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 21/02/2016 18:26

Because if you are full time you pay 51/55 quid a day. If you are part time it's 58/61 a day. They are being charged 51/55 a day for their part time place.

OP posts:

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 21/02/2016 18:28

We can't afford it either! We are paying nursery fees from savings as we don't want to stop working and we know it will start to reduce once they start school

OP posts:

redskytonight · 21/02/2016 18:33

Sounds like the nursery made a mistake with the other parents' fees and now don't feel able to correct it - or don't feel able to correct it until fees next go up.

So its the other parents getting lucky, rather than you being conned iyswim.

FuzzyOwl · 21/02/2016 18:33

YANBU but I suppose all that will happen is that the other people's fees will increase to be what they should be and then that might make you feel better, but it could well be awkward when you bump into them and if your children are friends with their children.

Some nurseries (Busy Bees are one) do an offer with certain local companies and people who work there will pay a discounted rate.

Fluffy24 · 21/02/2016 18:41

Maybe nursery don't like to charge the part time places more when they are full (you said they are full and have a waiting list). For instance if they had a child Monday and Tuesday, but then had trouble finding another to do wed/Thurs/Fri they they might think it's fair to charge the PT kids more because of the risk they can't find someone to exactly fill the remaining time in the week. But then if there is actually no problems filling wed/Thurs/Fri then they have no need really, so don't...

80sMum · 21/02/2016 18:41

Has the nursery agreed a discretionary discount for these other parents? Maybe they are related to or know the owner and have been offered "mates rates"?
If that's the case, it was very foolish and indiscreet of them to show you their invoices.
The nursery can of course charge whatever it likes. Providing you haven't been charged more than the rate that you agreed to, you haven't got a leg to stand on I'm afraid.

rageagainsttheBIL · 21/02/2016 18:46

Did they start earlier? Or later? Maybe they offered an intro rate but didnt make a big deal of it.

Ime most nurseries' finance Dept's are TERRIBLE.

Also just to add - we aren't in London and our fees are higher than yours... Easily up to £68 a day here

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 21/02/2016 18:54

Nope they are Nct friends who have no connection with the nursery. It's more widespread than just us anyway. Comparing with others I know of a couple who are paying the same and a fair few paying less.

OP posts:

QueenArseClangers · 21/02/2016 19:19

Jesus, it'd be cheaper getting an au pair and probably building an extension to house him/her!

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 21/02/2016 19:49

Couldn't cope with someone living in! It's a short term thing and many people face fees like this. Tolerable in a city where many earn quite a lot of money. Our household income is about 75k and we can't afford it though. Fees are way more than mortgage!

OP posts:

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