To refuse to pay this nursery charge

[Jeronnemo]

2 children in nursery. Been really happy there. A few niggles but nothing major. This month's bill had a £40 per child charge for an activity that they only do in winter. It usually kicks in in December through to April but this time they've charged it early. The issue is that they've not actually done the activity yet. I spoke to the manager about it and she was very abrasive and came out with some absolute nonsense about why it was on the bill. She lied and expected me to just suck it up. I'm livid but the conversation is over as far as she's concerned and if I push it any further, I risk being asked to leave. Do I just write it off for the sake of peace and my blood pressure?

To be fair I didn’t quite get what op meant initially until other posters clarified/put it in a way i could understand and I don’t think I am stupid 🙈

Whilst the majority of posts on mumsnet are straight to the point, most are not aggressive?

I find it highly aggressive.

Ah but it IS interesting to me - why so many people would be prepared to cough up £40 per month for an activity which apparently costs the nursery nothing to provide. It is of material impact because it’s baffling if true. Or perhaps you’ve not been entirely clear about this aspect of the story either, OP… 😉

Based on the nature of your responses I’m not surprised that YOU find it aggressive.

Oh for goodness sake. What do you mean by "either"? Why in God's name would I fabricate the £40 charge? If I was going to come up with a cock n bull story, I'd make it a damn sight more interesting than a nursery adding an additional fee in Winter. When I say it doesn't cost them anything, I mean that they haven't brought in extra staff, outside help or had to buy in material of any kind in advance that would perish if not used.

It’s flattering you’ve taken the time out of your day.

Can you maybe approach it with other parents together? Safety in numbers...?

It's disgusting a nursery would charge parents for an activity that didn't take place, especially close to Christmas.

Just joshing - honestly didn't mean to offend. But I'm wracking my brains and I know that if the activity were revealed to us, we would all be going "Ohhhhhhh of course!!" It's a real brainteaser and in fiction we would get the answer, but this is real life and I'm frustrated at my lack of imagination. Ho hum. :)

What are you paying the charge for then?

Is this part of a chain of nurseries or a stand alone one? Like others have said you need to put this in writing and then you’ll have a reply in writing that you can use to take your complaint further to the owners or the person responsible for overseeing your particular nursery. If there is no response then you go directly to the people above.
If every family has been charged £40 for an activity that has not taken place and with no cost to the nursery that’s tantamount to theft and completely dishonest.
Admittedly I have no experience of how nurseries operate but I did manage a before/afterschool club for 20 years and can’t believe you’d be asked to leave over a dispute for paying for a service you haven’t received.
Im outraged on your behalf! Good luck!