AIBU or is nursery?

[ThankYouVeryMuch]

Our nursery charges £48 per day which is fairly standard for where we are, not in London but in a large town. They’ve just informed us they’re increasing the cost to £54 per day, I think that’s a huge increase!

When I wanted to add an extra day each week a while ago they charged the extra days at £60 per day, but didn’t tell me in advance they just took the extra out of my bank account and when I complained they said it was an “extras” charge and it was on their price list, I told them it wasn’t on the price list they’d sent me but they wouldn’t back down and I didn’t want to push it because my child is happy there, but it worked out at about £200 extra that we hadn’t expected.

I don’t want to move my child but I really feel like they’re taking the piss now!

If you’re 100% sure that the extra days aren’t chargeable at a higher rate you need to reclaim that money.

Also the increase is around 12%, which is a lot.

Depending on amount of hours that could work out over 2k a year more.

I found nursery fees very expensive and wasn’t happy with the set up of the few I looked at. So went down the child minder route. Which worked out fab for us.

I’d read the t’s and c’s and see what if anything, it says about price increases and extra charges.

Thats a hefty hike. But ultimately they are a business I guess and can charge what they like. Although they run the risk of people going elsewhere. I feel for you.

@Singlebutmarried the T&Cs do say they’ll update their fees from time to time and obviously we knew they probably would increase at some point but I think the amount they’re increasing is just too much, she goes 4 days a week so that’s almost £100 a month we’ve got to find and neither of us are likely to be getting pay rises any time soon.

I just feel like we’re subsidising the people who get funded hours and it’s so annoying!

That is a big increase. I would want written confirmation of this £60 extra day - why is it so much?? I would expect fees to increase yearly but not to jump up so suddendly. YANBU

That is a big increase. I would want written confirmation of this £60 extra day - why is it so much?? I would expect fees to increase yearly but not to jump up so suddendly. YANBU

My daycare did the same. I was the same as u and had a few glitches but increase made my mind up as it just wasn't affordable. I moved dc, did quite a few settling in days before he started as very lucky that I have a day off a week. It all worked out fine

My daycare did the same. I was the same as u and had a few glitches but increase made my mind up as it just wasn't affordable. I moved dc, did quite a few settling in days before he started as very lucky that I have a day off a week. It all worked out fine

Don't they claim funded hours from the government?

They do claim the funded hours from the government but the amount doesn’t cover the costs so it has to be made up elsewhere.

@helloBuddy the government only give them something like £3.50 and hour for the funded hours so they have to make up the difference somehow, I wish they were allowed to just charge the funded people the difference but they’re not allowed to so the rest of us end up making up the difference.

You don't have to end your child there
They are a business and have to charge enough to make a profit after paying their overheads
If it's too expensive use a different nursery

@insancerre I know that but my child is settled there now and has bonded with the carers so I don’t really want to change to another nursery, it’s not like changing supermarket! And I’m sure they know that which is why they can put the price up 12%

We won’t have even been using the nursery for 6 months by the time the price increase comes into force so it’s not exactly what we signed up for!

You're definitely subsidizing the funded children's hours.
But, when you are claiming the 30 hours you will be paying a lot less. Swings and roundabouts.
The government really haven't considered the implications of the 30 hours on nurseries. It's seriously under funded and the costs have to be made up somewhere.

Check your T&Cs both for the cost of extra days and the notice they are required to give you of price rises. Take them to a solicitor for clarification if necessary.

But ultimately, you may have to pay up or move. If you do move, check the T&Cs very carefully.

Did I understand correctly that some people are paying extra to cover the costs of other people who only get a set amount from the government? That seems very arbitrary and wrong to me.

Sorry if I'm sounding a bit thick, I know there is a shortfall but thought this was why the nurseries charged parents for the meals etc their children are having when usually they don't do that? I'm only curious that's why I'm asking.

My daughter is due to start in Jan £47 per day and we are in the North West. I did look at childminders but after seeing them decided I'd prefer nursery. I'd rather pay more and feel comfortable with where I leave her.

It is very wrong jaxhog but nurseries have a huge short fall in funding balance against the costs since the 30hours was introduced.
When it was only 15 hours, it was crazier to absorb the loss.
Yes hello buddy it is the reason nurseries have started charging for meals/lunch hour/nappies etc but these are only allowed to voluntary costs, ie you must offer 30 hours of totally free childcare.

Have you any idea of how many nurseries have had to close down recently?
The nursery is not profiteering, they are just trying to survive, same as you

@insancerre I’m well aware that nurseries are having to close over the stupid funded hours scheme, it still doesn’t mean I’ve got an extra £1,200 lying around on top of what I’d already budgeted for. I’m already driving a 10 year old car and not had a holiday for 5 years!

I have a business (NOT a nursery) I’m going to increase my price this summer as I do every year.
The increase will be similar to the one of your nursery.
I always increase prices every 12~18 months, people who have been customers with me for 3 or 6 months might feel that the prices have increased very quickly. Except they haven’t. Prices actually haven’t moved for 18 months.
In this 18 months a lot of things have increased in price, so an increase from £45 to £50 reflects that.

So whilst I appreciate that it’s a big increase per month for you, I would be much more careful whether its showing an increase that is too much or too quick.

If you have other issues with prices, ask the nursery about their prices list. With a date on.
Ask them to let you know each time there is any change (which they shouod any way).
Review what you have been charged vs their price list (incl adds on etc...)

Easier not crazier!

Nurseries and childminders are closing at a terrifying rate. There is a BBC article today regarding the massive reduction in childminder numbers over the last few years.
Paperwork and inadequately funded "free" places are causing massive difficulties.
It is yet another brewing crisis within the economy.