to not want to pay nursery fees when it's closed?

PinkButtercups · 15/09/2022 19:56

My DS's nursery is closed but he has funded hours and it's a term time only nursery so we don't pay any fees.

But my DN nursery you always pay for bank holidays etc and unfortunately you have no choice but to pay it as far as I'm aware.

GiltEdges · 15/09/2022 19:57

Do you normally pay for BHs? What does your contact say? It’s just par for the course with nurseries in my experience.

AbsentinSpring · 15/09/2022 19:57

Check your contract.
They need to pay staff wages on a bank holiday.

GiltEdges · 15/09/2022 19:57

Contract*

Juli3 · 15/09/2022 19:59

estornudar · 15/09/2022 19:54

Nursery is closing on Monday, as many are. I have emailed Head Office to ask if the fees for that day will be taken off next month's invoice but it has been met by stony silence so far, and I am expecting an email saying no at some point.

AIBU to not want to pay nursery fees when it's closed? How are other nurseries handling this?

I don't blame you - you've paid for the term/ semester and this is a day you're not getting you're fees worth..

My sons school is naturally closed yet next week they want to charge us 20£ for a trip. It's not the £20, it's the principle that they have already been paid for Monday which isn't being utilised, so use that towards the trip fees.

Northernlurker · 15/09/2022 20:00

Why should you get it free? Are you still being paid for a day off? Hard luck if you are a Sahp of course.

Hugasauras · 15/09/2022 20:01

Our nursery is refunding us the day but we don't pay for bank holidays and it doesn't usually close for them anyway, just two weeks at Christmas and open year-round otherwise.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 15/09/2022 20:02

Do you normally pay bank holidays or not?

what do your terms and conditions say
the nursery still have to pay the staff

most nursery’s charge for bank holidays - mine certainty does but it’s clearly in the terms and conditions

BuffaloCauliflower · 15/09/2022 20:04

Most childcare settings charge for bank holidays, this isn’t unusual. They still need to pay their staff, pay the bills etc. What does your contract say about bank holidays?

Tumbleweed101 · 15/09/2022 20:07

We are staying open as we have key worker parents. We have told parents it's their choice if their child attends but refunds won't be issued.

Wouldloveanother · 15/09/2022 20:08

Is the bank holiday being deducted from your wages OP?

nicknamehelp · 15/09/2022 20:09

They might still be figuring out how to deal with this. A lot happened in last week and most businesses never had a bank holiday land on them with only a weeks notice.

Tillsforthrills · 15/09/2022 20:10

If you normally pay for bank holidays what makes you think you won’t pay for this one?

Are you getting paid for the bank holiday?

Tillsforthrills · 15/09/2022 20:10

Wouldloveanother · 15/09/2022 20:08

Is the bank holiday being deducted from your wages OP?

Exactly my thoughts…

Choconut · 15/09/2022 20:23

I don't understand the idea people have that nursery staff are being paid so that means parents have to pay for them even though there's no nursery. The supermarkets are shutting and their staff still get paid - but the supermarket isn't making any money. It's up to the nursery owners to factor in bank holiday costs in what they charge IMO just like other businesses do. Most businesses wouldn't dream of, or be able to, charge people for a service they're not providing.

JackandSam · 15/09/2022 20:26

Nurseries tend to do one of 2 things: charge for bank holidays, increase the daily rate to account for bank holidays.

Personally, my nursery annualises your bill, so I pay for. 5 days per week, 51 weeks of the year in 12 installments. So I pay for bank holidays. This one is no different.

If you usually pay for bank holidays then yabu. If you don't, then yab a little U as it was unplanned.

Tillsforthrills · 15/09/2022 20:32

Choconut · 15/09/2022 20:23

I don't understand the idea people have that nursery staff are being paid so that means parents have to pay for them even though there's no nursery. The supermarkets are shutting and their staff still get paid - but the supermarket isn't making any money. It's up to the nursery owners to factor in bank holiday costs in what they charge IMO just like other businesses do. Most businesses wouldn't dream of, or be able to, charge people for a service they're not providing.

Does your company not pay you for bank holidays?

Katlow · 15/09/2022 20:32

So to address a few comments, I do USUALLY get paid for bank holidays, but as the government guidelines for this one is that it is optional, my employer has chosen to keep us in work, I am supposed to be working. However, I now won't be able to work so I will not be getting paid for Monday.
We usually pay for bank holidays at nursery and I took the jubilee on the chin but this one is taking the piss.
This is a nursery that's run by a large company, if it was an independent nursery struggling to stay afloat I might have a bit more sympathy but this nursery is one of the most expensive in the area already.
I've already decided that if I have to pay, I'll be moving to a childminder.
The staff are fantastic but I just feel this is money grabbing from head office.

Katlow · 15/09/2022 20:33

And also my bank holidays come out of my bloody holiday allowance!!

Original poster

estornudar · 15/09/2022 20:33

We've never had him in on a Monday until this academic year so haven't come across the issue before. He's term time only so misses a lot anyway. I've checked the terms and conditions and it doesn't actually mention paying for bank holidays, just that they are closed on bank holidays.

I take your points about them having to pay staff for bank holidays, but they also have to pay holiday pay to the staff and we don't have to pay extra for that.

I am off on Monday as it happens and I am being paid, but that's actually besides the point. At the end of the day they are a business providing a service and are unable to provide it. I don't think I should be paying 70-odd-quid to look after my own child for the day!

OP posts:

Tillsforthrills · 15/09/2022 20:34

Katlow · 15/09/2022 20:32

So to address a few comments, I do USUALLY get paid for bank holidays, but as the government guidelines for this one is that it is optional, my employer has chosen to keep us in work, I am supposed to be working. However, I now won't be able to work so I will not be getting paid for Monday.
We usually pay for bank holidays at nursery and I took the jubilee on the chin but this one is taking the piss.
This is a nursery that's run by a large company, if it was an independent nursery struggling to stay afloat I might have a bit more sympathy but this nursery is one of the most expensive in the area already.
I've already decided that if I have to pay, I'll be moving to a childminder.
The staff are fantastic but I just feel this is money grabbing from head office.

Childminders charge bank holidays too!

Katlow · 15/09/2022 20:35

Omg hahaha I thought this was my post... Apologies for replying as it was but my post is very very similar

Dipsy12 · 15/09/2022 20:35

My nursery closes on bank holidays but we still pay.

Anon778833 · 15/09/2022 20:37

My daughter’s nursery doesn’t close on usual bank holidays except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. So I’m a bit annoyed if we can’t move the session elsewhere.

When it was too hot to come in, you had the option of taking credits. I assume the staff will have been paid for those days. So why not now?

We don’t get funded hours.

Tillsforthrills · 15/09/2022 20:38

Everyone who us employed provides a service to their employer. This thread is very revealing to the attitude in general to the Early Years sector. The idea that you should be paid in full for a bank holiday but not them.

If you are paid as normal YABU to be so entitled to think you shouldn’t pay.

If you’re self employed, won’t get paid etc have a word with the nursery to see if there’s any leeway.