Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Nursery fees

14 replies

PrawnToast5 · 06/05/2022 19:29

Just looking for thoughts really.

Went to look round nursery at the end of last year with a view to start in June. We were told by a member of staff that it was likely they would have spaces in June but we have to complete a registration form with a fee of £50 to get DC on a waiting list, which we did.

We didn't receive a response for a long while, despite chasing up via phone and email, and sought other childcare in the interim once we realised this was a problem. Finally managed to get through to them - they claimed they didn't receive the form (i have proof I sent this via email). They've got back to us within a few days to offer a space in September but this doesn't suit us, and we wouldn't have registered knowing this.

I want the fee back but they say the fee is to go on the waiting list - we were never on a waiting list as they didn't read the email, and in any case a space in September is no use to us as I start back at work 3 months before then.

AIBU to argue this?

OP posts:
Bywayofanupdate · 06/05/2022 19:37

You should definitely get your £50 back if they didn't put you on the waiting list! CF

Overthebow · 06/05/2022 19:43

yes surely if they are saying they didn't receive your form you weren't on a waiting list so you should get your money back.

Flubadubba · 06/05/2022 20:24

This is all perfectly normal where I live, unfortunately- they never give that back and make it very clear it's non refundable when you put it down.

However, if you live in SE London and it's a nursery that is super in demand, hard to get in to, and works in terms, grab the place (if it's DD's, it is wonderful).

TooManyPJs · 06/05/2022 20:36

How did you send them the money?

Original poster
PrawnToast5 · 06/05/2022 20:37

Flubadubba · 06/05/2022 20:24

This is all perfectly normal where I live, unfortunately- they never give that back and make it very clear it's non refundable when you put it down.

However, if you live in SE London and it's a nursery that is super in demand, hard to get in to, and works in terms, grab the place (if it's DD's, it is wonderful).

There really was no discussion about the fee! Just that I had to pay it to get on the waiting list. On the registration form it says £50 fee, £100 deposit once you've accepted a space. No mention of the refundability, nor would I have expected it to be refunded if DC had been on the waiting list for the ?spaces in June.

I just don't see what costs they have incurred to justify keeping the fee. They spent 5 minutes replying to an email. The nursery is only in demand because it is small and in the suburbs, its not particularly good or bad from what I've heard and there are other similar nurseries nearby.

OP posts:
Original poster
PrawnToast5 · 06/05/2022 20:38

TooManyPJs · 06/05/2022 20:36

How did you send them the money?

Bank transfer 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Lifeismeh · 06/05/2022 20:40

Surely without any confirmation you were on the waiting list… you weren’t on it!
You’ve paid to be floating in the air!

IMO I’d want my money back.

HSKAT · 06/05/2022 20:41

Yep id want it back.

They would see the money appear in the bank, why didn't they question and put two and two together? Like where's Prawns form for waiting list she's sent the money etc.

TooManyPJs · 06/05/2022 20:45

I'd make a complaint. Say you were charged a fee to be placed on the waiting list (which is diabolical in itself tbh!) and we're never placed in the waiting list. So they've taken a few for nothing. If you want to go all out you could take them to small claims court.

EileenGC · 06/05/2022 20:49

I'd want my money back too. Complain to the nursery and go higher up if it happens to be part of a chain? £50 is a good chunk of money, I don't see why they should get keep it.

Original poster
PrawnToast5 · 06/05/2022 20:49

TooManyPJs · 06/05/2022 20:45

I'd make a complaint. Say you were charged a fee to be placed on the waiting list (which is diabolical in itself tbh!) and we're never placed in the waiting list. So they've taken a few for nothing. If you want to go all out you could take them to small claims court.

I have complained they've said on the phone that the "waiting list" is basically the process of your form being put on the managers desk and then being offered a space. I've responded that this isn't a waiting list in any form I've ever heard of and asked them to clarify the processing of inquiring about availability.

OP posts:
EileenGC · 06/05/2022 20:51

PrawnToast5 · 06/05/2022 20:49

I have complained they've said on the phone that the "waiting list" is basically the process of your form being put on the managers desk and then being offered a space. I've responded that this isn't a waiting list in any form I've ever heard of and asked them to clarify the processing of inquiring about availability.

Show quote history

Even if that's their description of a waiting list, you weren't put on it until weeks/months after you sent the money and forms. Regardless of what process they use, they should not be keeping the money for something that hasn't been done (adding you to waiting list on time), simply because of their own mistake.

Feckingfeck · 06/05/2022 21:05

DS school wanted £500 to be assessed for entry and not everyone got in! Would be fuming as surely hosting a bunch if 3 years olds in an empty school for 1hr on a Saturday doesn't cost that!

Definitely get your money back. If it was anything else you purchased it would have been miss-sold!

Fizzyfish · 06/05/2022 21:19

Keep pushing for a refund, 50 quid to go on a list which you didn't even go on!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread