Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect to not to have to pay for nursery even though decided not to attend?

34 replies

flowerdebate · 08/05/2023 19:45

Visited and verbally said I did want a place at a nursery on Thursday (they did not confirm that I would get a place at the time). Friday via email/phone they said I was welcome to register, filled out registration form (which seems to function as contract) and sent non-refundable registration fee back.
I have since decided that DC will not be attending nursery afterall due to extremely unfortunate timing of finding out huge news literally 12 hours after I arranged all this with nursery. Not delayed attending, but will not be attending at all. No settling in sessions done yet, but I did send that bloody form (wish I'd been too busy to do so!). I don't expect the registration fee back of course, but what about the one month's notice in the contract? There's nothing in there about what happens if you never even did a settling in or attended a first session. I also thought maybe the UK's 14 day cooling off period would apply since things were done via email/phone, but since I did visit in person maybe that doesn't apply? I'm in London where nursery fees are high to say the least, its a big chunk of cash to pay them for only holding a spot for me about 2 hours (as it was confirmed just before beginning of bank holiday and I'd be requesting to withdraw within minutes of opening hours after bank holiday)

(Anyone been in this situation where very shortly after confirming a nursery spot, and before settling in, changed mind)?

OP posts:
Goodoccasionallypoor · 09/05/2023 09:25

Op, they must have been open for at least an hour already, why are you still replying to posters on this thread instead of just calling them?

No one here is going to give you a get out of jail free card for your contract and the longer you wait, the less disposed they're likely up be to let you off.

shysquirrel · 09/05/2023 09:26

flowerdebate · 09/05/2023 09:24

Update- they do want the month of sessions, even though they didn't turn anyone else away in those 2 hours Friday and still have an additional slot on top of mine still not filled in this room. Will try to negotiate or see if it can be credited very far in future if were to need nursery

How do you know they didn't turn anyone away and still have a slot?

Original poster
flowerdebate · 09/05/2023 09:28

@Goodoccasionallypoor Why are you assuming I hadn't called them? I called them first thing when they opened, was told manager would call me back, and posted the update from what manager on here literally a minute after off phone.

OP posts:
Original poster
flowerdebate · 09/05/2023 09:30

@shysquirrel because the person giving tour had emphasized that they were particularly quiet in this one room than usual and that if I needed until next week to decide it wouldn't be any issue at all as they hadn't had anyone else visit and no risk of losing spot, which I brought up just now and they said their policy is still a month's notice regardless of what's goign on with space

OP posts:
Summerfun54321 · 09/05/2023 09:31

Yes I've been in a similar situation. In my situation, staff were obligated to follow the contract so I had to pay out. It's unfortunate but It's not for them to bend the rules to each customer's unique situation. Money is tight and if they let everyone off of contractual obligations they'd be a lot worse off, even if that seems unfair to you.

Dorisbonson · 09/05/2023 09:39

I would be surprised if there isn't a cooling of period and would inform them you are going to trading standards to check the legal position.

WonderingWanda · 09/05/2023 09:44

I think this is one of those tricky situations where you've signed a contract already. Why don't you tell them you can no longer afford it and ask if they will accept half the money?

I did refuse to pay a month's notice on swimming lessons once because they'd been closed for the summer so I hasn't been able to give them a month's notice but hadn't had a lesson for a month. They didn't pursue me for it.

Bells3032 · 09/05/2023 10:02

the rules round here are its 4 weeks notice. so if the child wasn't expected to start for at least 4 weeks then I'd expect to pay nothing. if its within 4 weeks then usually they want the money. but if it was me i'd prob want to get good word of mouth and since it was literally a day i'd prob just say thanks and keep the deposit and hope you'll come back in future

SchoolTripDrama · 09/05/2023 10:11

The cheeky fuckers! They've had £150 for absolutely nothing and now they're demanding an entire month?! Nope. I'd be refusing and allowing them to chase it. I highly doubt they'd win at small claims' court.

Don't bother requesting a credit for the future OP, they'll just end up creating some magical expiry date that will of course have already passed. Honestly, I doubt they'll bother to chase you for it. Just ignore them

New posts on this thread. Refresh page