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?

I think that’s awful of the nursery, and deceptive and grabby. If they are a chain I would bypass the manager and go to accounts.

Depending on how many children are charged, it could work out a lot of money.

I’d question their integrity, and wonder what else they lied about.

If you were as rude to the nursery manager as you are being to people on here, I’m not surprised she shut you down.

Well, what sort of activity is it?

Something extra that takes place on the premises, like French language lessons or a craft activity? For which an extra instructor would have to be hired?

Something they go to externally like the cinema or swimming? Where transport, weather etc could be a factor?

Are you saying they literally lied and said “oh yes they are receiving French lessons for an hour per week” when no such lessons are taking place?

Or were they unclear as to the start / end dates of an activity yet to happen? But still expected to occur to the full extent of the programme?

It all sounds completely shitty of the nursery, but it would be useful to know exactly what the manager said, for full context. But I’m assuming you want to keep that private.

Is the nursery in a group? A mis-charge was made at our nursery and I ended up going above the manager’s head.

@Jeronnemo NOOOOOOOO. I PAY ON NOVEMBER 1ST FOR NOVEMBER. I PAY ON DECEMBER 1ST FOR DECEMBER

Yes. We ALL have understand this. Contrary to what you believe, everyone in the world but yourself is not thick.

You pay for attendance on the 1st of the month for that month. So, you pay 1st Nov for attendance in the month of Nov. WE GET THAT.

What we are questioning is that this is not classed as an attendance component but a special activity fee, where it needs to be paid in advance, that is, you need to pay the activity fee in November (do your 1st Nov payment) so that the activity can be done in December. That would make sense.

I feel for you. That would wind me up so much, but in this day and age we can’t risk losing our nursery places. Could you tell other parents? Or speak to the owners rather than a manager?

And OP can remove them from a nursery and use other childcare if she isn’t happy. These kind of things do happen in larger childcare settings, it’s why we used a childminder for our youngest when I had to go back to work.
I would pick a childminder over a nursery any day because it’s more personal and transparent.

Why not just say:

Nursery charge us £40 a month in Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb for ballet. I found out ballet didn’t happen in November so have asked for a refund and been fobbed off.

No. I pay in November for November. For everything. Attendance and the activity.

I have read your responses. You need to self reflect on your communication style. Your replies have been very defensive. You will be annoyed by what I have put here and no doubt reply with something rude, which is fine, take or leave my advice.

You should pay for the number of months the activity takes place. So if the activity takes place Dec - April, that is 5 months. If you pay those 5 months over Nov- March then it’s an advance payment which I’d have no issues with.

However, I would query any charge received for the last month of the activity - if you receive one. For example, if the activity ends in April, and you receive a charge on your April invoice then I would query that, as advance payments should end in March.

This thread is a great example of why I hope I never have to go in front of a jury for a crime I didn't commit.

Poor OP. I wouldn't be happy either. Maybe get together with other parents and if it's a group of you then it will be harder to ignore?

Sounds like the OP has has previous years of paying for the winter activity it’s its usual pay structure before, so I believe she would know how they charge for it.

Activity is being done in December, cut off point to pay for activity is 30th November therefore it appears on the bill for November

I've told some other parents. A couple are angry too and have spoken to the nursery and been fobbed off the same. A couple of others are more sanguine and think we just have to suck it up.

Tbh I'm also confused. Your writing style is unclear.

Now you really are taking the piss.

Have you read the typical Mumsnet thread? It’s a breath of fresh air when an OP actually sticks up for herself. Good on her.

Do you always communicate so aggressively or is this a keyboard warrior thing?

Of course she can. I'm more referring to the comments like 'yeah just pay it, £40 is nothing'. 'This is what nurseries do'.

Quite. I'm perfectly capable of understanding a basic pricing structure unlike most of the contributors on here

I think it’s clear.

OP pays bills for the nursery which covers the hours (potentially some are funded but not relevant) and consumables and activities.

From December to February every year the children do winter painting. OP was charged for this in November’s bill for November. She first assumed that they would begin painting early this year so didn’t mention it. Now that November is over, she has learned that they just wanted an extra £40 so put it on the bill under the guise it was for the activity.

The £40 is still on the December, January and February bill.

All depends on what they said when you asked why you had been charged? What lie did they state? Did this happen in email or on the phone? Did you follow up with an email if it was a phone call?

I don't see how it's a 'money grab' when you would be paying for it anyway. You're paying for it in advance which is totally normal.

They probably need to pay for the activity in advance. And it really is nearly December. If they activity isnt taking place at all then of course you shouldn't pay. So what exactly is the situation.