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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Nursery fees and trip

28 replies

Zurina · 06/02/2020 14:51

Nursery are going on a trip which will cost £35.
The nursery fees for a single day are higher than this.

They have said: "If your child is not attending, you will need to find alternative childcare. (Nursery fees are still payable). If your child normally attends nursery on Friday's you will only pay the contribution above."

So, if you don't pay the £35 for the trip, your child stays at home and you need to pay the full nursery fees for the day, more than £35, for nothing.

But if you want them to go on the trip, you get out of paying the nursery fees for that day and only pay the £35 for the trip.

AIBU to think that's a bit backwards? Why would you pay full nursery fees for a day that your child isn't there for and when the nursery is essentially closed to all those not on the trip, when those going on the trip who are with the staff are not? Surely those going on the trip should be paying the nursery fees and the trip money since all the staff will be there?

I don't mind paying the full day if my kid isn't going, don't get me wrong, staff still need paying and I understand that etc etc.

My issue is that those going on the trips don't have to pay for that day since they are paying for the trip, but the trip contribution is less than the nursery day fee and only pays for coach seat, lunch, refreshments, not for staff pay and everything else that goes into a nursery fee. I don't get it. So those not going on the trip are paying for what those going on the trips aren't?

OP posts:

teddyfleece · 06/02/2020 15:03

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

CakeandCustard28 · 06/02/2020 15:05

Yup that’s backwards, have you said anything?

Janeinthemiddle · 06/02/2020 15:15

I think you've mistaken it a little bit.

Nursery fee is payable regardless if your child normally attends nursery on Friday.

But YANBU.

Original poster

Zurina · 06/02/2020 15:17

Nursery fee is payable regardless if your child normally attends nursery on Friday.

Yes, I get that, perfectly fine with that, but then those on the trip should be paying it too but they've said they will only pay trip contribution

OP posts:

Original poster

Zurina · 06/02/2020 15:17

I haven't said anything yet as wanted to check I wasn't being "that" parent

OP posts:

Janeinthemiddle · 06/02/2020 15:21

Reading back again and you're right! I would definitely question the nursery. On first instance, I thought the statement by the nursery is a bit unclear.

TeenPlusTwenties · 06/02/2020 15:28

I think

if you normally attend on Fri but don't go on trip = find alternative (but still pay usual fee in usual bills).
if you normally attend on Fri and do go on trip = pay the extra (AND pay usual fee in usual bills)
if you don't normally attend Fri and go on trip = pay the extra and Fri fees both in addition to usual payments

That's the only thing that makes sense so I guess it is just poorly worded.

user14572856389 · 06/02/2020 15:33

That's the only thing that makes sense so I guess it is just poorly worded.

I agree that's the only way it makes sense, but it's not what they've written they will do.

I'm not convinced it's poorly worded so much as poorly thought through?

Original poster

Zurina · 06/02/2020 15:35

It might be poorly worded... Here is the whole thing copy and pasted

"Please bear in mind that the nurseries will be closed on the day of the trip, as all staff will be attending the trip. If your child is not attending, you will need to find alternative childcare. (Nursery fees are still payable).

If your child normally attends nursery on Friday's you will only pay the contribution above.

If your child does not normally attend nursery on Friday's (or does not attend all day on Friday's) you will need to pay the nursery fees as well as the above contributions. Unless you are attending with your child, in which case you will only pay the contribution as you will be responsible for the care of your child on the day of the trip, they would not be counted as part of the nursery ratio."

OP posts:

cologne4711 · 06/02/2020 15:37

I think it's wrong that they are making the trip compulsory. If you don't want your child to go, they should still look after them. Have you checked their terms and conditions? Even if it says they can do this sort of thing I would query whether it's a fair term. You pay for your child to be looked after. An expensive trip is fine, but should be optional.

cologne4711 · 06/02/2020 15:37

If they are closing the nursery, they're not providing the service and should not charge.

TeenPlusTwenties · 06/02/2020 15:39

I still think poorly worded.
They probably think it is obvious you will be paying the nursery fees in the usual bill.
Is the trip charged to usual bill or do you pay separately for it?

catlady3 · 06/02/2020 15:41

Doesn't that mean if the child normally attends on Friday, you're paying fees for that day anyway, assuming as part of a regular payment, so of course you're not paying that again. Sounds to me that the PPs are correct in saying it's the fee plus contribution to trip, and if you're a regular Friday customer, you pay that regardless of whether your child goes on the trip.

Original poster

Zurina · 06/02/2020 15:46

Doesn't that mean if the child normally attends on Friday, you're paying fees for that day anyway, assuming as part of a regular payment, so of course you're not paying that again

I think this is what I'm starting to think. I guess I would have worded it differently is all!

It is annoying because if they don't go on the trip you need to still pay the fees for the closed nursery but also pay for a full day of alternative childcare elsewhere, so two nursery day bills to pay for because of a trip.

But then I guess the answer to that is "send them on the trip then"

OP posts:

HappyAsASandboy · 06/02/2020 17:35

I read this as;

Child normally attends Friday but isn't going on trip pays £BigFee and has no care

Child normally attends on Friday and goes on trip pays £BigFee plus £35 trip fee

Child who doesn't normally attend on Friday can go on trip for £35 only

None of which makes any sense

Ellmau · 06/02/2020 20:45

I read it as

Child normally attends Friday but isn't going on trip pays £BigFee and has no care

Child normally attends on Friday and goes on trip pays £BigFee plus £35 trip fee

Child who doesn't normally attend on Friday can go on trip for £35 only, plus day's equivalent of £BigFee, UNLESS their DM comes with them, in which case they just pay £35 and the DM Is responsible for them all day

Sirzy · 06/02/2020 20:49

Where on Earth are they taking them that it is costing so much for a day trip?

ConfusedPupMama · 06/02/2020 20:54

The nursery my children attended tried organising trips like this but the parents complained so they had to keep some staff back to work in the nursery. They had a spate of trying to arrange trips and events that required all parents to attend in order for their child to take part. Parents put their children in for childcare usually, so they can work. It's nuts!!

Curiosity101 · 06/02/2020 20:57

I read it the same as @Ellmau

And I think I sort of agree with them. Childcare is expensive... but when you consider what you get for what you pay it's actually really good value. From what I've heard nurseries aren't normally rolling in money?

Also - if your child was normally there on a Friday and you had chosen to take them out for the day then you'd still have to pay the fee. I know they're offering you an additional cost or looking after the child yourself so it's not necessarily a choice on your part. But they still have just as many staff to pay and just a much rent etc so they need the same nurseries fees regardless.

Cyberlibre · 06/02/2020 21:06

I'd not be happy with that. £35 is a lot of money to fork out on top of fees! They should not make you pay fees if the child doesn't go.

Cremebrule · 06/02/2020 21:39

Well that is written badly.

If they are expecting parents to do fees plus £35 for a trip that is a very expensive day. Mine have done lovely little local trips and have never charged anything.

If they are closing and still expecting parents to pay the fee, they are taking the piss.

Out of interest what is the trip?

BigPinkFlower · 06/02/2020 22:20

If they have funded 3 and 4 year old places the LA will have a view on this. They have to provide the required hours- so if they are closed when are they offering extra time to make up (15 or 30 hours over 38 weeks)

Original poster

Zurina · 07/02/2020 06:25

The trip is to a museum. They are taking coaches. The nursery is in London. Do they have to make up the time for funded children, is there a particular policy on thet flower?

OP posts:

nestisflown · 07/02/2020 06:31

To be honest, I'd check the T&Cs and consider reportimg them to Ofsted. Nursery is there so I can work, not so my child can go on trips that we can go to on the weekend for less than £35 (I.e. a free London museum). I would be annoyed to have to pay £35 extra on top of what is already a barely affordable service. But that is if you dont mind being that parent.

Berrymuch · 07/02/2020 06:45

That is poorly worded, I agree. And unfair, why on earth should they not provide normal care just because you can't afford to or don't want to send them on a trip? I'd get it if they would collate numbers and see, ie we have x amount going on the trip so we can have y amount still at nursery. If people not normally in can go, that's what's pushing the ratios isn't it, and they're getting paid double for those places essentially.

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