AIBU nursery want to be paid when my child wasn't there

[angie1984]

So i have a DD who is two and started nursery in October last year, when my husband started working, they were very good allowing us to switch days as we needed as they weren't full at the time, I was about 5/6 months pregnant at the time and stated at the initial meeting it was only going to be until I went on maternity leave, in January.
So January rolls around and its the last couple of weeks before I go on maternity leave on 24 th so we tell them and our daughter that she won't be coming much longer, when it gets to the last week we state that it is the last week and then when we get to the last day, we state we won't need them anymore, until I finish maternity. During this period but i'm unsure when, they ask if we would like to keep our DD on their books for when i return to work, which I say yes but that she will not be in for the next 6 months while i'm off.
Got an email early Feburary about an invoice for the whole of the month of Feburary which having just given birth i assumed was an error on their part. Today i've had another email stating I need to pay ASAP, called the nursery who say i didn't give four weeks notice, which i probably didn't officially. They are charging me for the four weeks.
AIBU to think this is very CF while I admit I do not think i gave them four weeks notice, we spoke with them about it at many pick ups. And when I received my invoice at the end of January I double checked that this included all the days she was doing in January, when I spoke to them on the phone I point out that we had spoke to them about it at least 2 weeks prior to her leaving, they stated they would get back to us. Should I pay for two weeks or nothing at all. No one once mentioned this four week notice period and when i booked her in for her last few weeks and then stated she would not be coming after the 24 th or in the weeks that followed.

The staff should have told you to put it in writing to the office.
I worked in a nursery and repeated this mantra many many times.

If it was required in writing, I would have assumed they would have told you of that when you told them verbally. If they stand firm, I would try to reach a compromise.

I work in a nursery and we need 4 weeks notice in official writing to head office (by email) otherwise you will still be charged. It will be written in the contract you signed at the beginning

Notice should always be written notice.

You should have read your contract; always ask a setting about notice periods. Nurseries plan staffing around ages of children, numbers of children, staff qualifications, square footage. The ratios of staff to children is unbelievably complicated, you have no idea, so it’s really unreasonable to just say “we don’t need you anymore”, but then expect them to reserve a place for free. Day to day stuff talk to staff, hours, contracts etc talk to a manager.

I wanted to drop my son’s days at nursery from 3 to 2 while I was on mat leave but they couldn’t guarantee he’d be able to go back at 3 days when I returned to work so I accepted that and kept him in (and am SO glad I did!! I needed those 3 days just me and the baby). I think you’ve been lucky to be able to effectively ‘pause’ your DC attendance even if you’ve been slightly caught out by this ‘month’s notice’ issue (can you ask to keep her in that month if you’re paying?!)
I can see both sides here Btw- I can see you might have been expected to be reminded/ told that you needed to give the notice in writing given you mentioned it so many times, but you really did need to do it in writing so I can see their side too.. sorry op.

I'm getting really confused about where the nurseries priorities are tbh- my Dd1 started nursery in September- was expecting the bugs to be caught, but over 3 months she caught a cold, then developed a virus, then it mutated into a broncolitis.....we still kept paying for her place but deferred her after the broncolitis until January.

For info, luckily I'm still a SAHM with Dd2, so if Dd1 is a 'bit off' im more likely to keep her home other than send her in unwell. Fine with a runny nose, but temp etc, I'd rather keep her home, especially after the A&E trip with a chest infection.

She was fully fit going back, but after two days, runny nose and temperature, so a few days off. Then I got a phone call about her attendance- I explained all of this and was then told they were constantly chasing working parents to pick up their children going in with 39* temps, but also had to insist that children who were funded attended whether they were sick or not or they wouldn't get paid by the council!?? So attendance of places was totally biased- basically bring your children no matter how sick so we can stamp and receive payment for the funded places, and parents who worked who had to bring in their sick children were allowed to.

I chose to send Dd1 there, I pay for her to go 3 afternoons a week, it gives me some 1 on 1 time with Dd2 (theres only 15 months between them) and allows Dd1 to spend some quality time (it is a great nursery on what they teach/outdoor based etc) with children her age.

But every month I receive send to all emails chasing payments 'in advance', not one about 'if your child is unwell, has a virus or temp over 38* keep them home'-

Yes, bugs will be caught, and obviously it's good to build up an immunity, but viral infections versus the nursery getting paid, money seems paramount.

I get the 'this is a nut free zone' email weekly, how about the 'infectious viruses' one!?

(Apologies for the rant, but it costing a fortune for my Dd1 to basically get sick right now, I didnt appreciate a phone call 'telling me off' for keeping her home with a bug- then being told there were 'double standards' for funded v private places- seemed like discrimination to me)

@Taddda I hope that attitude changes now we have the CoVID-19 virus. Otherwise I can’t think of a faster way of spreading it around a community

Not defending them, but 4 weeks is the normal notice for childcare. Also you are incredibly lucky to find a nursery that is willing to be flexible. They usually charge you for the morning/afternoon or whole day regardless of whether your child attends, with zero flexibility. I would also check about staying on their books - you may well be charged for this. In childcare you tend to pay for the space during absence, as ratios prevent them from filling your space when you’re not using it xxx hope u get this sorted though

Formal notification required as every parent will give verbal details on drop off/pick up and it would be impossible to keep up with it all. Paperwork shows definite recorded decision.

This is why u always have to get everything in writing, did you e-mail and say your plans or send a letter? Lesson learnt as u gave them the leeway to try it on!

I had to pay during mat leave with DS2 to keep the place for DS1. I knew my childminder was self employed and unless I did this is lose the space. So some days my DS1 would still go to hers even though I was off on mat leave. They had a great relationship and it meant I could spend time on my own with DS2 and DS1 got to enjoy stuff I wouldn't have had time to do with him. You can't keep a place open without paying for it I don't think.