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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to pay nursery registration fee?

88 replies

coffeeforone · 31/05/2019 14:41

I have just enquired about signing DS2 (9 months) up to the same nursery DS1 (3) goes to. They said they have plenty of capacity for babies and have asked for some very brief details and £300 to register him.
I asked if there was any flexibility to waive this fee (as they offered this when we registered DS1 two years ago after we said we were trying to decide between this and another nursery). They said they can’t waive it and its the only way to secure the place for 3 months time.

They also don’t offer a sibling discount (unless both under 3) which is fair enough, so we will be paying the full time monthly fee of £1625 for DS2.
Also fees of just under £915 per month for DS1 full time (which is reduced from £1625 due to the '30 hour' funding we can claim for over 3’s).

So we’ll be paying over £2500 per month in fees. AIBU to think it would be nice of them to waive or reduce the £300 registration fee for DS2 as a goodwill gesture? I just feel a bit robbed paying it when I didn’t with DS1 and I know some of the other parents didn’t either.

OP posts:
awalkintheparka · 31/05/2019 14:42

Our settling in fee was £40 Blush
South west based. That was to include a home visit and 2 settling in sessions.
£300 is extortionate

awalkintheparka · 31/05/2019 14:42

Sorry meant registration fee not settling in

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 31/05/2019 14:43

Of course it would be nice if they did waive it, but they're not going to so 🤷🏼‍♀️

Original poster
coffeeforone · 31/05/2019 14:46

It will include 2.5 hours of settling in - 1 x 1 hour session and 1 x 90 minute session.

We will need to pay for additional half day sessions at the normal rate if we want extra 'settling in' before he joins full time (which we will do).

OP posts:
flowery · 31/05/2019 14:48

Like anything, it’s up to you whether you accept their terms or not. It would be nice if they waived it. It would be nice if they offered a sibling discount. It would be nice if their fees were lower. Lots of things would be nice!

Cookit · 31/05/2019 14:49

That’s loads!!

I’ve paid similar monthly fees at nurseries, first one about 1550 a month and the last one about 1750 however registration fee at one was refundable when you left having given them the requisite notice and the other £50 non refundable, which is not the end of the world. Settling in was “free” - or I guess subsidised by the £20+k a year you’ll be paying thereafter!

awalkintheparka · 31/05/2019 14:49

They won't waiver it because you have an older child there so they know they've got you. Also they offer the 30 hours which not all nurseries do (as it's such a small amount from government) so they are trying to make up the costs in other ways.
It sucks. And £300 is a lot! But if you love the nursery and plan to keep you DC there then I would suck up the cost. I had to go through 3 nurseries before I found the one. It was worth the money.

ThatssomebadhatHarry · 31/05/2019 14:50

Jesus we didn’t pay anything. Settling in sessions were also free. They were one 15min, one 30 mins and one 2 hour which included lunch, all free. A deposit secured booking and this was taken off first bill.

Supply and demand I guess, but fuck me!

PCohle · 31/05/2019 14:51

It would be nice if childcare was free and money grew on trees. Why should they have to make you a "goodwill gesture" just because they did it before? If you're unhappy you're free to use a different childcare provider.

Original poster
coffeeforone · 31/05/2019 14:53

Thanks for the replies. I just have a feeling its something they usually still offer as an incentive, but think they don't have to here as DS1 is already settled and they know i'm happy with the nursery due to recent feedback I've given. I don't want to argue over £300 as I think its more important to have a good relationship with the nursery but I do feel a bit annoyed at the principle of it.

OP posts:
Tunnocks34 · 31/05/2019 15:01

That sounds extortionate. In fact the whole nursery fee does. We send out son to an outstanding nursery. We paid a £100 refundable deposit to secure his place, which came out of the first months fees. Full time is £825 a month, that is every day 7.30 -6pm. We only need Monday and a Tuesday luckily though.

AbbyHammond · 31/05/2019 15:01

I'd ask the staff in your 3 year old's room if they happen to know of any childminders locally.
If the nursery have baby spaces available and they think there's a chance you'll take the baby elsewhere they might reconsider.

stucknoue · 31/05/2019 15:19

It's extortionate, not only the registration fee but the extras bill for your 3 year old, unless he's in 60 hours a week that is - 30 hours should be free officially, they obviously are charging a top up.

User8888888 · 31/05/2019 15:21

Your registration fee is very high. My fees are similar to yours but the registration fee is £50. I can’t blame them for trying to cover the costs of the settling in hours but they are taking the piss a but with that fee. You’re can’t really do much about it though if you want the place unfortunately.

moreismore · 31/05/2019 15:23

£50 here. Not payable for sibling and we get sibling discount. Didn’t pay for 2 x 1 hr settling sessions.

NorthernRunner · 31/05/2019 15:24

Christ what a lot of money.
I’m a childminder, maybe I need to up my fees and ask for a registration payment Hmm

Nacknick · 31/05/2019 15:24

Surely you could get a nanny for £2500 a month?!

Original poster
coffeeforone · 31/05/2019 15:27

Also they offer the 30 hours which not all nurseries do (as it's such a small amount from government) so they are trying to make up the costs in other ways.

I don't think they really lose out by offering the 30 hours as they have structured the 'free' sessions at extreme times and the increased the cost of the compulsory wraparound, meals, extras etc to take this into account, and they explain this on their fee information.

OP posts:
Bookworm4 · 31/05/2019 15:29

£2400 a month in nursery fees?!?
How is that feasible? Glad mine are teenagers.

Original poster
coffeeforone · 31/05/2019 15:30

Surely you could get a nanny for £2500 a month?!

I was discussing that option with DH, but we were thinking is it really enough for a full time nanny 8-6 and cover all associated costs, meals, activities etc?

OP posts:
AbbyHammond · 31/05/2019 15:37

Possibly a live in nanny, but not live out.

awalkintheparka · 31/05/2019 15:47

I pay £6.25 a day in 'top up' fees. I get the full 30 hours funding for the over 3s.

If my child went full time it would cost me £1625 per year- and this is for 52 weeks it would be slightly cheaper when factoring in closure over Christmas.

Under 2s will cost me £52 a day. So would cost me just over £1k per month. That's 8-6.

So overall it would cost me £1100-1200 a month for full time nursery for children the same age as yours. I'm based south west.

I would really reconsider moving nurseries just for the fees. They do seem extreme but I guess it depends on where you are based and if it's worth it for the next few years until your kids start school?

HelpAFattieOutHere · 31/05/2019 15:50

Is it a nursery attached to a private school? The ones round here have registration or admin fees between 300-500 and you get that refunded (or rather knocked off) your last invoice for school fees when they have completed so many years of paid education.

Reastie · 31/05/2019 15:51

Depends how much they need your business. Before they might’ve neededot fill the space and offered to waive the fee to get you onboard to signing up. This time they might feel they can easily fill the space if you don’t take it so they have no need to waive it this time. Child care is flipping expensive!

HelpAFattieOutHere · 31/05/2019 15:52

Just looked and actually the one locally has an "acceptance deposit" of £750