To think this notice for nursery is bloody ridiculous

[IWineAndDontDine]

We have put my daughter in nursery for 2 afternoons a week. We paid for the remainder of the term (until end of march). She absolutely hates it and is miserable in/out of the nursery, constantly begging me not to go even on non-nursery days. We have put in notice as it seems pointless putting her through this unnecessarily (I'm at home). I've just checked t&Cs which obviously I was OK with when I thought she would be there for a reasonable amount of time, and you need a full terms notice. So does this mean I have to pay the whole of next term , including paying for half of this term we aren't using? That's essentially 4-5 months notice as that's when the summer term ends. Seems utterly ridiculous doesn't it? Wish I had thought more about that particular T&C when signing up. Although I didn't actually sign a contract and only found them in a random email I got just before she started. Seems a bit crap

T&Cs are a legal document but just because its written doesn't mean its legally enforceable. In fact, if they took someone to court I highly doubt they would succeed seeing as they are allowed to asked for "reasonable costs incurred" from my daughter leaving. Not "whatever we write down". It's 2 months until the next term starts. I'm not sure they would be able to argue "yes we need to keep all that money because she's not going and we couldn't give another child a place, also we need to invoice for a whole other term". Not to mention there needs to be reasonable proof that the terms and conditions were accepted. Popping "bringing your kid is acceptance of these terms" at the bottom of a document you emailed without directing any attention to once upon a time would get them nowhere in court 😅

I'd persevere a few more weeks. Two afternoons a week is nothing really, it will take time to settle.
Would a swap to mornings be possible? Maybe starting in the middle of the day when the other kids are in full swing is difficult to bed into?
Can't remember if you said but are the afternoons consecutive? Would mini days be an option?

It's worth asking if they will reduce the notice period under the circumstances. It's individuals at the end of the day, and if you ask politely rather than going in antagonistically you will have a better chance. You're withdrawing her because she is upset going to their setting, it's very different to withdrawing her because you've found somewhere cheaper up the road. Some (private schools!) will not budge on the notice period but some will especially if the child is not settling. You can always escalate to being more belligerent if you want. If

A compromise position might be that you only need to pay notice until they fill the space.

I think it's hard to settle such a young child on only 2 half days a week. Upping her hours might well "fix" this (and it's probably what nursery will suggest) but and there's not a great deal of point if you're going to move her and start all over again in Sept.

My greatest parenting regret was to continue to send my youngest to pre-school when he made it clear he didn't like it. He never settled and it was two years of unhappiness for nothing. He liked school from day 1.

you ask politely rather than going in antagonistically you will have a better chance

This from @SimplySipping . Just good advice generally for any business/legal stuff imo

Acting like preschool's are going to take parents to court over an extended notice period is ridiculous.

You might be right legally, but in reality, lots of establishments wouldn't pursue this. It wouldn't be worth their while.

I would have thought they meant until April? After Easter? Easter - the May holiday is a term isn't it?

Update guys - they replied saying its a shame she didn't settle etc and didn't mention the money! Hopefully they don't invoice me at the start of next term 🤞 I've already paid until end of this term so maybe they think that's fair?!