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 charging us when they're closed

86 replies

ShesThunderstorms · 03/11/2022 08:55

I just want to know what the general consensus is on this before I say anything, as if I'm being a bit mean I won't bother!

I have two children in nursery, we pay for them to go from 8-6 on the days they go. We've been informed that for two weeks over Christmas, on the days that they're open, they will be closing at 4pm rather than 6. But there won't be any reduction in our fees on those days.

We'll be affected on 4 of the days, which works out to us paying for 16 hours of childcare that we aren't receiving, not to mention one of us will have to use annual leave to finish early enough to pick them up on those days.

I feel like I sound mean as the ladies that work there are great, I don't want to deny them some early finishes around Christmas, goodness knows they deserve that and then some. But AIBU to contact nursery or head office to request that we don't pay for those hours that they're closing early? Or am I being a bit mean?

OP posts:
ImustLearn2Cook · 03/11/2022 12:28

Well in my experience in Australia childcare (nursery) charge half day flat rate or full day flat rate. Starting at the beginning of the day and leaving at 4pm would be the same full day flat rate as if you started at the beginning of the day and left at 6pm.

If you are charged by the hour then you should only be charged for the hours that they are there/booked in for. If the centre closes 2 hours earlier then normal there should be an adjustment made so that you are not charged for the 2 hours that they are not providing care for.

Do they charge by the hour or half day/full day rates.

Grazka · 03/11/2022 12:29

Our nursery would shut for the whole week between Christmas and new year and we had to pay for those days, so you are lucky actually

Beees · 03/11/2022 12:30

FatAntelope · 03/11/2022 12:18

That's how all nurseries run

No nurseries are not all run that way. If you're using a nursery that randomly decides to close 2 hours earlier than advertised and for which you've paid for then you're using a nursery that's not actually fit for its main purpose. The whole point of using a nursery is so you have set childcare.

Beees · 03/11/2022 12:36

Grazka · 03/11/2022 12:29

Our nursery would shut for the whole week between Christmas and new year and we had to pay for those days, so you are lucky actually

Presumably this nursery is also closed over Christmas as most if not all nurseries are. However, these early finishes are not referring to this week. These early finishes are in addition to the time they are actually closed.

The fact the days are in December is not the ppint here. It they set a precedent of closing early and no one complains then what's stopping them also doing it throughout the year?

BingBangBollocks · 03/11/2022 12:51

Grazka · 03/11/2022 12:29

Our nursery would shut for the whole week between Christmas and new year and we had to pay for those days, so you are lucky actually

That's irrelevant as it's a completely different situation

Original poster
ShesThunderstorms · 03/11/2022 12:52

Thanks so much for all the replies.
I'm going to dig out the contract and see what it says. I know it says about paying for bank hols etc. which isn't what I have the issue with. It's just the paying for 16 hours of childcare that we aren't receiving.
As someone else has said- at work we had to request our Christmas annual leave last month and that's now all in place, they're quite flexible so between myself and DH we will be able to make it work, but it just feels a bit off being charged and having to make it work at all. BUT until I've looked at the contract, I could be totally in the wrong, I may have signed to say I'm ok with it! Will let you know. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Geranium1984 · 03/11/2022 12:58

Is really annoying but check your contract.
Our nursery have 4 staff inset days and they all fall on a tues (one of the days we attend) but is clear in the contract that these are to paid for Hmm

Dailymash · 03/11/2022 13:05

This is standard for all nurseries, you pay for your place not pay by the hour.

Out of curiosity, people who think they should get a deduction in their fees - would you be happy to not get holiday pay? Especially around Christmas time? Staff in nurseries are already notoriously underpaid and you want to remove their pay when the nursery is shut for holidays, power cuts, covid outbreaks etc? Hmm

Dailymash · 03/11/2022 13:06

The alternative is to find a childminder.

Goldbar · 03/11/2022 13:16

Dailymash · 03/11/2022 13:05

This is standard for all nurseries, you pay for your place not pay by the hour.

Out of curiosity, people who think they should get a deduction in their fees - would you be happy to not get holiday pay? Especially around Christmas time? Staff in nurseries are already notoriously underpaid and you want to remove their pay when the nursery is shut for holidays, power cuts, covid outbreaks etc? Hmm

But this isn't the case. You pay for your place, yes, but the nursery offers set hours which you agree to, subject to any exclusions in the contract (bank holidays, staff inset etc.). The nursery cannot unilaterally reduce the contracted hours without a contractual right to do so.

Herejustforthisone · 03/11/2022 13:18

And this is why UK childcare is so shit.

Herejustforthisone · 03/11/2022 13:19

i should quantify that. The people aren’t shit, generally the care given isn’t shit, but the prices and restrictions often make it entirely unattainable to some working parents. That’s what’s shit.

Carbon12 · 03/11/2022 13:21

I'm actually surprised at all the posters' nurseries charging for when they are closed.

Luckily my daughter only needs to go when it's term time, but they don't charge for bank holidays or the Christmas week they are closed.

Shgytfgtf111 · 03/11/2022 13:24

Iamthewombat · 03/11/2022 09:13

The nursery still have to pay their staff when they are closed. And the business rates on the building. And the mortgage, if there is one. And the utility standing charges.

When I was a nursery nurse, the Christmas period was unpaid leave.

LaGioconda · 03/11/2022 13:47

Iamthewombat · 03/11/2022 09:13

The nursery still have to pay their staff when they are closed. And the business rates on the building. And the mortgage, if there is one. And the utility standing charges.

All of that is irrelevant when it is their choice to close.

MiddleParking · 03/11/2022 13:48

Grazka · 03/11/2022 12:29

Our nursery would shut for the whole week between Christmas and new year and we had to pay for those days, so you are lucky actually

That IS standard and it sounds like OP is having to do that too. If I’ve understood correctly it’s the week prior to Christmas this year (19th-23rd, all of which are normal working days) that OP’s nursery has decided they’re closing two hours early every day without a fee reduction. That’s not normal and it’s not lucky. Then the following week OP’s nursery will be closed completely but with no fee reduction, like yours. That’s not lucky, but it is normal.

TurquoiseBeach · 03/11/2022 13:49

I've never understood this either, but was the same with mine, plus bank holidays. Some nurseries charge a cheaper fee for Mondays to account for this.

TerraNostra · 03/11/2022 14:06

@Goldbar But this isn't the case. You pay for your place, yes, but the nursery offers set hours which you agree to, subject to any exclusions in the contract (bank holidays, staff inset etc.). The nursery cannot unilaterally reduce the contracted hours without a contractual right to do so.

I 100% agree. However it's important to understand that the contract doesn't stop them from behaving the way they do, in breach of contract. It just gives their customers the right to compensation for the breach of contract.

You can't go to court to make them provide the contracted hours, all you can do is threaten to go after them financially if they don't.

They rely on nobody being willing to take legal action.

Phos · 03/11/2022 14:09

That's strange, we never got billed when they were actually closed. We used to have to pay when we went on holiday because we still had the place but even with that, we got 2 weeks "leave" a year where we didn't have to pay.

Original poster
ShesThunderstorms · 03/11/2022 14:12

@MiddleParking just about right! So over Christmas, our nursery only closes on the actual bank holidays. So as you say the week of the 19th-23rd like you say is a normal (if not a bit more festive!) week. And then they're shut the next Monday and Tuesday for the bank hols (these aren't days my kids go anyway) and then they're open the Weds, Thurs and Fri of Christmas week. So there's 8 days that they've decided to close at 4, rather than 6.
I feel like I sound like such a grinch and I bloody love Christmas. It's not that I want to deny anyone any fun or anything like that, I just don't want to pay for something I'm not receiving. Can't check the contract until I'm home from work, so still unsure as to what I've actually agreed to 🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
MiddleParking · 03/11/2022 14:27

ShesThunderstorms · 03/11/2022 14:12

@MiddleParking just about right! So over Christmas, our nursery only closes on the actual bank holidays. So as you say the week of the 19th-23rd like you say is a normal (if not a bit more festive!) week. And then they're shut the next Monday and Tuesday for the bank hols (these aren't days my kids go anyway) and then they're open the Weds, Thurs and Fri of Christmas week. So there's 8 days that they've decided to close at 4, rather than 6.
I feel like I sound like such a grinch and I bloody love Christmas. It's not that I want to deny anyone any fun or anything like that, I just don't want to pay for something I'm not receiving. Can't check the contract until I'm home from work, so still unsure as to what I've actually agreed to 🤦🏼‍♀️

That’s ridiculous. It would be better for their costs, and their staff, and the parents, if they did normal hours 19th-23rd and closed 28th-30th. That’s why nearly every nursery in the country will be doing that. I’d email them and point out how ridiculous it is.

Bunnycat101 · 03/11/2022 21:06

I wouldn’t be happy with that. Like most other posters my nursery shuts down for a week and will be open as normal the 19th-23rd. I’d have some real difficulties if there was a sudden finish at 4. I don’t think anyone would
begrudge an early finish on Christmas Eve but to do it for so many days isn’t really on and also probably means staff aren’t getting a break either.

Beees · 03/11/2022 21:19

I hope you managed to dig out the contract and you found the answer to your question and that other parents have done the same.

Definitely make sure you don't let this go as contrary to what most of those who have failed to properly read the thread believe this really isn't acceptable or normal.

ImustLearn2Cook · 03/11/2022 21:46

@ShesThunderstorms I think it’s a bit odd that they have decided to close 2 hrs early. I haven’t come across that before. Did they give a reason?

It would be hugely inconvenient for most families who rely on the normal opening hours. They would have to arrange alternative care and that could be costly if they don’t have family who can help.

girlmom21 · 04/11/2022 03:09

ImustLearn2Cook · 03/11/2022 21:46

@ShesThunderstorms I think it’s a bit odd that they have decided to close 2 hrs early. I haven’t come across that before. Did they give a reason?

It would be hugely inconvenient for most families who rely on the normal opening hours. They would have to arrange alternative care and that could be costly if they don’t have family who can help.

It's probably because there'll be less children in so they've given more staff annual leave and need to balance the ratios

Swipe left for the next trending thread