Private Nurseries

[SW18Life]

I pay for a very expensive nursery, so I can work. There’s not much left after I pay nursery. This is important as it’s possibly clouding my judgement - so need to know I’m being unreasonable here.

Nursery runs events for parents and families (mostly during the working day) and last month’s one they closed early to allow them to tidy up.

Im annoyed because:

1. little notice to change their core service
2. assuming it’s ok that parents change their plans
3. no word or refund for closure

Aibu? Talk me down smile

I'd be really angry about the early closing. In fact I'd simply refuse to collect the DC before their contracted closing time.

Events happening during the working day are annoying but that in itself is fair enough, it happens at school too and you have to either take time off work or miss it. But the early closing I'd be raging.

Agreed. Either they stay open until the contracted closing time, or they provide a refund. They can't have it both ways.

YABU unless it is every week. Generally you are charged per day - whether you send your child for one hour or ten. Even though the staff are staying back to host an after hours event, they are unlikely getting paid anything extra and perhaps the closing early is to organise the event and give them time off in lieu of the hours they are working later. They likely only offer an after hours event as parents have complained they cannot make daytime one due to work commitments. Nursery can’t win.

I would not be OK with that. You've engaged the services of an expensive nursery because you need childcare, which they have entered into a contract to provide.
I would simply say "I can't be here before my normal time, I'm sure you've made provision for work g parents, so I'll collect dc at 6pm, as always".

Unfortunately you can't just not collect them. If there's an uncollected child Social services/safeguarding will be informed.

Unfortunately you can't just not collect them. If there's an uncollected child Social services/safeguarding will be informed.

@ScotsinOz I read the OP as the events take place during the day time (contracted opening hours) and nursery closes before the contracted opening hours so staff can tidy up. Not that the event happens out of hours.

Scots I don't think it's an after hours event, I read it that the event was during the day but they are closing early to tidy up after the activity which was held during their core opening hours. Presumably so the staff can get away on time.

Hotpink and I would explain to SS that I will be collecting them as normal, at 6pm or whenever their contracted closing time is.

@Hotpinkangel19 lots of nurseries have been trying that for years. None of my friends, acquaintances and colleagues have had a visit.

I would also be annoyed by the closing early. Have you raised this issue with them?

The family events are normal and the need to engage families to get an outstanding ofsted rating.

What time is early? If it's 2pm to clean up then yes that's crazy, if it's 5pm instead of 6pm and it's a one off I think that's perfectly reasonable

@Kolo I had misread- apologies all.