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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Nursery closing half day yet still charging full fees

20 replies

Belleoverandover · 03/08/2017 19:08

Hi I need some advice pls. My LO nursery is up for an award and they want to close at lunchtime in a few weeks so the staff can get ready for the awards ceremony. The only thing is they still want full payment!! They are the ones choosing to close so why should we have to pay for it? I've approached them before about other things where I feel they've over charged and got nowhere

OP posts:

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 03/08/2017 19:13

Is it in your contract?

My old one had a clause so they still charged for bank holidays, Christmas, New Years etc - even though they weren't open. It was massively unfair to anyone needing childcare on a Monday
But sadly as it was in the contract there was nothing to do about it.

BackforGood · 03/08/2017 19:17

I think if it is a one off, really special occasion - do staff have to travel somewhere for a nice dinner or something ? - then I'd let it go if I were otherwise happy with the Nursery.
Technically, yes, you shouldn't have to pay for care that isn't there, but the difficult bit is getting out of work or finding another childcarer for the afternoon, not really the money, and, if everything else were good, then I think I'd join in celebrating the fact they are presumably (if they are getting an award?) a really good Nursery and let it go, in the grand scheme of things.

Witsender · 03/08/2017 19:26

If they're normally good I don't think I would begrudge it

welshweasel · 03/08/2017 19:28

It would depend how much notice they gave me. I need 6 weeks notice to take annual leave so if they gave me that, I would probably be ok with it as a one off as it's a superb nursery. If it was less than that I'd be really annoyed as I would have very limited options for childcare.

honeylulu · 03/08/2017 19:48

My son's nursery used to announce a few days in advance that they would be closing 12pm SHARP!!! for certain days (normal weekdays - though often ahead of a bank holiday weekend and not helpful as we were usually at work) and no concession offered on fees either. In fact we were told "Fines will apply!!!" for late collection.
I just deducted it from my monthly payment with an explanatory note. They never argued. I sort of wished they had as I'm a lawyer and was ready to give them both barrels about breach of contract.

Original poster

Belleoverandover · 03/08/2017 20:56

It's in 3 weeks, so not a lot of time, not sure if it's in the contract I'd need to check.

OP posts:

BackforGood · 03/08/2017 23:37

Well it would be unlikely to be in the contract, as who would ever anticipate "If we, as a Nursery are ever nominated for an award, we reserve the right to close early on that day" ?

I suspect no-one.

However, the point is, it is a bit of an unanticipated one-off. They are closing anyway. Everyone will have to find a way of dealing with it. This will be more of a pain for some than for others, (I would have been one of the people really stuck) however the OP was asking if she should demand a refund. For that I'd say to look at the bigger picture.

EmotionalTeaspoon · 03/08/2017 23:41

It's weird people saying to just let it slide. Why in the world would you pay for a service you're not getting? Presumably some of the parents will either have to take time off work (with subsequent loss of earnings) or pay for alternative childcare. Why should they pay for that twice?

Fruitcorner123 · 03/08/2017 23:42

I'm obviously stingy but I wouldn't be prepared to pay £20+ and still have to organise alternative childcare

Fair enough if they want to close but you shouldn't have to pay.

buntingqueen · 03/08/2017 23:48

I would not expect to pay for them being closed for half a day! Bank holidays/Christmas etc are expected, but I wouldn't say this is fair at all. They are no doubt going to be making money from new parents/increased fees off the back of this, so they shouldn't be charging you when they are closed!

alibongo5 · 03/08/2017 23:51

Totally agree - how can they charge when they're not providing the service? Fuck that!

Original poster

Belleoverandover · 05/08/2017 08:55

Honeylulu I wish I had the courage to do that!

OP posts:

CurlyMango · 05/08/2017 12:20

When mine were at nursery and changed the Christmas dates they were open/closed. They then changed and added a further closed date, I then deducted the day they were closed PLUS the cost for other childcare. It was paid.

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 05/08/2017 12:32

Well of course it's not going to have 'allow half a day for possible awards won' but the contract should state under what situations it possibly might close - but more to the point should state what happens about payment in that eventuality.

For me it's not about them closing so much (although I don't think three weeks is a massive amount of warning) as the fact they still expect to be paid.

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 05/08/2017 13:56

I think it's incredibly cheeky but I'm a wimp and wouldn't say anything, just seethe quietly.

MeanAger · 05/08/2017 14:03

Just deduct if From your payment. They can't really expect to still get paid for being closed.

MrsPorth · 05/08/2017 14:07

I wouldn't begrudge it despite the shortish notice, but I would reduce the payment for that month proportionally.

insancerre · 05/08/2017 14:12

Is your child fulltime?
If not, then just ask for another afternoon in lieu

whiteskyblueclouds · 05/08/2017 14:16

Cheeky bastards! No, many parents will have to pay for alternative childcare so why should they also pay the nursery who has decided to close and not provide the usual childcare?

Yes it's great they have got an award and of course they should go to the ceremony, but they shouldn't expect parents to pay for time they are not providing.

bimbobaggins · 05/08/2017 20:55

Have they stated they want payment? I would politely but firmly inform them that as they will not be providing the service then you will not be paying for it. No need to be a wimp, just assert yourself

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