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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Ds playgroup want me to pay, I dont think I should!!!

28 replies

Nemo2007 · 06/02/2007 11:13

DS is 3.3yrs old and has been at playgroup 3 mornings a week since septembter. We paid for his place until christmas under the impression that he would get his place free from january. Now the playgroup are saying they havent heard anything back so they want us to pay for his place still until they hear about the free places. I dont think I should have to pay as they have known since last july he would be starting and turning 3 in oct so if they havent sorted out the forms in time how is that my fault? They have said they will pay us back 'if' the forms come back but I dont think thats fair.

OP posts:

dabihp · 06/02/2007 11:14

no, dont, call the l.e.a yourself.

3andnomore · 06/02/2007 11:16

That is odd...they should have the forms already, and you should have been asked to sign it already too, sounds like severe disorganisation from their side, so, no why should you pay if they can't be organised...hm...

Original poster

Nemo2007 · 06/02/2007 11:17

3andnomore they asked us to sign the forms 2 weeks ago.

OP posts:

damewashalot · 06/02/2007 11:25

The funding doesn't come through at the beginning of the term, most preschools just let the children start as they know that they will get the funding for the places. However the paperwork the lea send out the the preschools is worded to imply that they expect the preschools to charge fees then pay the money back to the parents once it comes through. We don't do this as quite frankly it's too much hassle and extra work for the treasurer (me untill I had ds3 which is why I know this) So the are within theit rights but I think it's a stupid way of doing it.

damewashalot · 06/02/2007 11:26

should read through and check typing when have baby on my lap.

Shosha · 06/02/2007 11:31

Message withdrawn

megandsoph · 06/02/2007 11:33

DD2 is four now and I have to pay for her nursery place, which is an attached nursery to the school she will start in september. Should I not be paying them? LOL I haven't got a clue bought these things I just do as i'm told.

Sorry for the hijack Nemo

peanutbutterkid · 06/02/2007 11:33

Preschool finances are usually diabolically posed on a shoe string narrowly avoiding bankruptcy. The staff are paid pants and probably there are some poor harried and inexperienced volunteers trying to hold the whole thing together -- and process the forms correctly.

I think I would offer to phone the LEA for them to ask the LEA what the problem is.

LIZS · 06/02/2007 11:38

It could take longer than 2 weeks to process - we got ours retrospectivley , credited against the next term's bill. I don't think they can submit the form any earlier than the start of the relevant term. tbh you may have to pay some now to help the cashflow of the playgroup (they would probably have to pay for premises etc in advance).

LIZS · 06/02/2007 11:42

megandsopph , thsi is the LEA fundign grant for 3 and 4 year olds for up to 5 2 1/2 sessions "free" per week. Ask your nursery if you should qualify but if your chidl's session are longer than 2 1/2 hours and /or she attends more than 5 am or pm sessions then you might still ahve to contribute towards it. It also assumes that the nursery qualifies under the LEA and Ofsted rules(presumably a school asssociated one should !).

Jimjams2 · 06/02/2007 11:44

LEAs vary- they can be absolutely diabolical at paying nurseries - and for some playgroups it can mean a real cash flow problem. So I'd pay and wait for it back- it's almost certianly the fault of the LEA.

megandsoph · 06/02/2007 11:48

Thanks LIZS

Shosha · 06/02/2007 11:49

Message withdrawn

Shosha · 06/02/2007 11:53

Message withdrawn

beckybrastraps · 06/02/2007 11:53

In our LEA, we estimated the figures for this term at the end of November. We were then sent a preliminary payment. We then completed the 'headcount form' at the end of January, and they will make the remaining payment based on these figures. We ask parents to fill in a declaration form before the headcount is sent off. If you miss the deadline for the forms, you don't get the money.

LIZS · 06/02/2007 12:20

Maybe LEA's vary because our declaration forms wouldn't have gone in until about 3 rd week of term.

Original poster

Nemo2007 · 06/02/2007 12:46

thanks all
I understand it puts the playgroup in a bad situation but it does for us also. We struggled to pay as it was but DD2 was born beginning of jan and DH has lost his job so at the min with it being the way it is looks like we will have to pull Ds out of the playgroup which is a pity as he loves it. He only goes 3 sessions a week so is only £16 ish but its enough to make it not possible for him to go now.

OP posts:

BuffysMum · 06/02/2007 12:54

I would ask to speak to the pre-school and explain your financial situation and ask if you could make a contribution in the hope they will get the funding eventually. Obviously they cannot afford to do this for everyone but they be me able to let you pay a reduced amount therefore helping both parties out. Be discreet an keep quiet to all else......

LowFatMilkshake · 06/02/2007 12:54

Nemo, I am in the same position age wise and pre-school session wise, except DD's the pre-school sent of DD's paperwork as soon as she turned 3 so that from Jan they would have funding.

Your child is entitled to up to 5 free sessions a week and its not your fault that the either institution has not been quick enough sorting out the paperwork/finances.

Stick to your guns and explain that you cannot fund his position yourself anymore as circumstance have changed in terms of household income and outgoings (which is true). You are not asking for freebies or special treatment, just what is your DC is rightfully entitiled to.

If you stop him going because of this problem you risk loosing his place - through no fault of your own.

If it continues I would right a letter to the pre-school, copied to the L.E.A and it would'nt hurt for a copy to go to your local paper or MP!

beckybrastraps · 06/02/2007 12:56

Perhaps you should go in and ask some more about the process.

We can still make some more additions to our headcount up until half term (the end of this week). We have always assumed that a valid claim will be met and have never invoiced parents for a place which can be claimed for (ie we haven't charged any eligible child at all this term, even though the headcount wasn't until Jan 18th). We haven't had any problems with payment from the LEA. As I said earlier, this is because we are paid some of the money 'upfront' as it were, on the basis of our estimate.

I would ring the NEF department at your LEA and check out what the situation is where you are. As I said, I am adding new starters to out list now, and we will get paid for them.

user1496701154 · 02/02/2019 21:42

Oh so nursery not playgroup

AngelOfDeathNix · 02/02/2019 21:53

I'd imagine that after 12 years, this has probably been resolved!

donquixotedelamancha · 02/02/2019 22:24

To clarify: you have applied for the over 3 childcare, given them your eligibility number and signed the forms? The issue is that they then haven't heard back about the funding?

What does your contract say? Ours specifies that if, for any reason, our DDs are ineligible, we would then pay any outstanding fees. That seems to be the norm.

whiteworld · 02/02/2019 22:25

Zombie thread... ZOMBIE THREAD ZOMBIE THREAD

donquixotedelamancha · 02/02/2019 22:26

I'd imagine that after 12 years, this has probably been resolved!

Doh. I really hate these necromancers that resurrect Zombie threads.

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