Nursury Payments...

[Momtotwoo]

DC nursury was temporarily shut May/April and we were informed that we would not be paying for this. Having later checked my invoice, I've had payment requests based on my usual booking for these 2 months (April/May).

They've since said that as my DC place is funded by a government grant, I am still expected to accept these payments.

The grant clearly states on the website that it will only continue to pay if we have still been doing these hours (which obviously I haven't), but the owner ended up getting shirty when I questioned on this.

The problem is, they owe me money from a double payment which the owner agreed to reimburse me for, and then has now stated that she won't reimburse this until the payments for April/May have been accepted. I've now accepted these (despite the fact I don't feel that I should of)... emailed yesterday with my bank details to reimburse the amount owed and still no payment (depsite answering a different email so I know she has recieved my bank details)

AIBU to think I'm being somewhat blackmailed here?

What do you mean by 'a government grant'?

Is this the funded hours? These are paid directly to the nursery, so I'm unsure as to what your post refers to.

Or are you referring to benefit money that you get for nursery fees (either universal credit or tax credits)?

Or something else?

I've never had anyone pay nursery fees so I've no idea. If it's not your money does it matter?

Lots of grants that wouldn’t usually pay when criteria isn’t met are still being paid during Covid19 to keep businesses sustainable.

If it's government money that you're just approving then the nursery is correct that you should be approving it - there was a special exception made for Covid so nurseries still have income. However, if you're paying a top up then you should not be paying the top up.
She certainly should not be holding the money that she owes you until you do what she wants - that's definitely blackmail and not acceptable behaviour. The money could take more time than a day to transfer, and they might outsource their finance functions so I wouldn't worry if it's not in your account for a few days.

Its a student grant, it doesn't matter to me no as it isn't my money. The only reason I was a bit bewildered is because it directly stated through the system that this is to be paid only if the nursury is open throughout Covid19 (which it hasn't been). Unless there has been some new rules? It is also only a limited amount which I have to pay all year round to keep my place, so I would rather it be used for when it is needed now the nursury has re-opened

If it's a CCGPS payment where you're paying a 15% contribution then you should not be paying. If you're not paying a contribution then if should go ahead.

You are lucky OP many nureries have been charging fees for the whole time they have been closed.

@caringcarer That's a very unnecessary comment. No need to try and make OP feel bad for thinking that nurseries should actually have to earn money like everyone else. I understand nurseries struggle financially but that's not OP's fault or responsibility.

I use the Childcare grant payment scheme, was told by nursery they can get in trouble for fraud and so can you if SFE decide to investigate so they stopped requesting my account, I would maybe bring it to SFE’s attention as it could come back to bite later?

@Biomedical I've already accepted the requests because they said otherwise I couldn't get my money owed. I will give them a call, however, to see whether this was the right thing to do

Thank you

Don’t call them you need to keep a paper trail of your chase. You need to be very direct that if you expect to receive a banks transfer within 5 days, you played your hand a bit as you should of asked for the refund first but i would just place continued pressure onto them until they refund.