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Original poster

Nursery charging for Christmas period (when closed)

24 replies

Ritual9 · 23/12/2025 21:50

Wondering if this is the same where you are? My child’s nursery charges for this period despite now being closed until 5th Jan. They sent a letter round saying that this is the norm, but then among my group of mum friends none of the other nurseries are charging for this period. Curious if your nursery does?

OP posts:
MumChp · 23/12/2025 21:51

Yes. They do. As stated in the contract.

AgnesMcDoo · 23/12/2025 21:52

These things are usually set out in contracts right at the start.

if you have an annual contract then you pay all year round.

they still have to pay their staff when closed, plus all there other running costs

Original poster
Ritual9 · 23/12/2025 21:55

Im not saying they’re right or wrong or complaining, I’m just wondering if other nurseries do.

OP posts:
TheNightingalesStarling · 23/12/2025 21:55

Some will charge for days available to use with different payments each month
Some will charge a monthly average.

Thehop · 23/12/2025 21:55

We don't charge for any closure: Christmas or bank holiday. It's bloody wrong. There was also a court ruling during Covid that we couldn't charge for a service that wasn't available. Not that most parents could afford to fight it.

what they should do is increase fees for open weeks to cover the closure, I hate the practice of charging when closed.

sadly, if you're otherwise happy then you need to think about wether this is something you can stomach.

Thehop · 23/12/2025 21:56

AgnesMcDoo · 23/12/2025 21:52

These things are usually set out in contracts right at the start.

if you have an annual contract then you pay all year round.

they still have to pay their staff when closed, plus all there other running costs

Edited

Staff have to use holidays to be paid during closure weeks. They don't have a wages bill in the bottom al sense.

skkyelark · 23/12/2025 21:57

We pay for 50 weeks a year, split into twelve equal payments. So we don't actually pay for the days they are closed at Christmas, but the monthly bill doesn't change.

YorkshireIndie · 23/12/2025 22:00

mine charges. I am sure they make the staff take holiday during the time but they do open back on 2nd.

PickledElectricity · 23/12/2025 22:01

Mine do not. We are charged for 50 weeks of the year and they're closed for Christmas and a week in the summer.

tedibear · 23/12/2025 22:12

I think most do. Ours was quite an expensive one and they didn’t charge for the 2 weeks. I just paid the same each month and used it towards the annual rise that came every year. I’m sure they just work it into the day rate though really.

Clefable · 23/12/2025 22:13

skkyelark · 23/12/2025 21:57

We pay for 50 weeks a year, split into twelve equal payments. So we don't actually pay for the days they are closed at Christmas, but the monthly bill doesn't change.

Yes this is how ours works too. They don’t take bank holidays so it’s just the two weeks at Christmas they are closed.

Wintertime2025 · 23/12/2025 22:15

Technically you are probably not paying. Most are 50 weeks per year but divided equally by 12. So seems like you are paying but I doubt you are

Original poster
Ritual9 · 24/12/2025 12:23

We get charged by session/day, so the amount fluctuates each month depending on how many ‘days’ we use (3 per week). So over Christmas period if we usually use 3 per week that’s what we are charged.

Missed a trick putting DS in on Mondays as we still ‘pay’ for all the bank holidays! I’m sure the staff aren’t paid nearly enough for what they do.

OP posts:
Onearmedscissor · 24/12/2025 12:33

skkyelark · 23/12/2025 21:57

We pay for 50 weeks a year, split into twelve equal payments. So we don't actually pay for the days they are closed at Christmas, but the monthly bill doesn't change.

Same

NuffSaidSam · 24/12/2025 12:45

The owner of the nursery isn't paying the staff wages over Christmas/on bank holidays out of their own personal pocket, it's coming from the business. The business that operates on your fees, so yes everyone pays for when the nursery is closed. How they pay for that will differ, but every single person who has a child at nursery will be paying for closures/staff holidays within their fees.

And that should give you a sense of relief because no-one would be able to sleep at night if they thought otherwise. If they thought that staff at their child's nursery were not getting paid on bank holidays/over Christmas. They are getting paid and it's out of your pocket.

Dreamingofthree · 24/12/2025 12:59

My kids facility never charge for the days they aren’t physically open, that’s profiteering. The operational expenses will be determined as part of setting the rate (that’s includes the FTE, and the overall cost base) it’s disingenuous for a facility to claim otherwise

TeenToTwenties · 24/12/2025 13:02

I think it is ridiculous how nurseries charge for days they aren't open.

They should up the daily rate to cover closure costs. Otherwise it seems to me that those who go Mondays end up paying more than their fair share as more bank holidays are then.

Dreamingofthree · 25/12/2025 10:51

TeenToTwenties · 24/12/2025 13:02

I think it is ridiculous how nurseries charge for days they aren't open.

They should up the daily rate to cover closure costs. Otherwise it seems to me that those who go Mondays end up paying more than their fair share as more bank holidays are then.

They definitely do take annual running costs and divide them out to make sure costs are covered. It’s 101 of running a business. It’s just a cash grabb

FcukBreastCancer · 25/12/2025 10:54

TeenToTwenties · 24/12/2025 13:02

I think it is ridiculous how nurseries charge for days they aren't open.

They should up the daily rate to cover closure costs. Otherwise it seems to me that those who go Mondays end up paying more than their fair share as more bank holidays are then.

I ended up not working Monday for this reason

Zanatdy · 25/12/2025 10:58

Ours didn’t charge for Christmas week (and it was averaged over 51wks) but I know many do.

NoTouch · 25/12/2025 11:15

Everyone pays the nursery running costs over Christmas. Whether they pay at Christmas, or it is added on to fees over the year, it is still paid by the clients.

GAJLY · 25/12/2025 11:28

skkyelark · 23/12/2025 21:57

We pay for 50 weeks a year, split into twelve equal payments. So we don't actually pay for the days they are closed at Christmas, but the monthly bill doesn't change.

Yes This is what most nurseries do.👆🏻 Mine only charged for days the nursery were open.

Btowngirl · 25/12/2025 17:11

We’ve had 2 nurseries and both charge. As PP said, they still have rent & staff who need paying etc, it should be set out in your contract though.

Whiskyfromsmallglasses · 25/12/2025 17:22

I have worked in nurseries over 20 years they all do the same and it will be in your contract. Suck it up

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