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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think nursery should refund afternoon closure during heatwave?

82 replies

MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:28

Our nursery is closing at 1pm tomorrow due to the heatwave.

The reasoning given:
As you may be aware we have implemented a number of measures to keep children and staff safe and as cool as possible including fans, AC, lots of water and ice play and encouraging drinking water to stay Hydrated. However, we are concerned this won't be enough during these very high temperatures and children particularly in the afternoon.
We are also very mindful that some staff members will have to collect their own children from schools which have had to close/close early.
We are sorry for this disruption that this will cause but do believe it is in the best interest of the children, and would prefer to give you as much notice as possible.

My child doesn’t attend on Fridays so I have zero skin in this game, but a parent has asked if the afternoon will be refunded.

Nursery response: unfortunately there will be no refund issued for the half day closure as the decision to close was made as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and staff. While we appreciate the inconvenience this may have caused, safeguarding and safety must remain our highest priority.

They’re not the best tbf at this stuff - we’ve had multiple room closures in the last year or two due to staffing (in fairness these have been refunded). My child is leaving in a month and I won’t be short changed, but do you think they’re BU about the refund?

YABU = they’re right not to refund
YANBU = they should refund

OP posts:
MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:29

I would add that they haven’t closed at all today (Thursday) or yesterday (Wednesday) when temperatures have been equivalent to or lower than Friday PM’s predictions.

OP posts:
patooties · 25/06/2026 20:30

Are they paying the staff?

Crunchymum · 25/06/2026 20:30

What does the contract say?

MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:32

patooties · 25/06/2026 20:30

Are they paying the staff?

I don’t know and I reaaaaally want to ask but as I don’t have my kid in tomorrow I sort of feel like it’s not my question to ask.

OP posts:
BringBackCatsEyes · 25/06/2026 20:33

Is their AC broken?
The fact some staff need to collect their own kids - irrelevant.

MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:34

Crunchymum · 25/06/2026 20:30

What does the contract say?

There’s the usual wording about ‘if they have to close for reasons beyond their control’.

However:

  • tomorrow afternoon will be cooler than today and yesterday (still horrid though, we’re SE!)
  • theyve cited staff needing to get their own kids from school which is a staffing issue - and we’ve been refunded for room closures for short staffing before

I should add this is part of the largest nursery chain in the UK (think honey making creatures) and day rates are over £100 per day, so it’s not an insignificant amount.

OP posts:
MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:36

BringBackCatsEyes · 25/06/2026 20:33

Is their AC broken?
The fact some staff need to collect their own kids - irrelevant.

They don’t have wall mounted AC but have coped with external units and fans Weds and today. As of pick up today all seemed to be functioning.

Like I say, my DC isn’t there tomorrow so it’s not affecting me, I’m just curious what others think.

OP posts:
CharlieEffie · 25/06/2026 20:36

If they have AC they dont need to be closing

Larrythecatforpm · 25/06/2026 20:37

I would point out it’s cooler tomorrow than today so why didn’t they close the last two days?

MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:38

CharlieEffie · 25/06/2026 20:36

If they have AC they dont need to be closing

This is what I think. They’ve got a portable unit in each room along with fans and I think this is a staffing issue dressed up as a ‘beyond our control’ - they’ve managed (and the staff are amazing so fair play to them) yesterday and today, so I’m not sure how they justify closing with no refunds tomorrow PM.

OP posts:
ScullyLyf · 25/06/2026 20:39

Ours have refunded. Tuesday PM and all day Wednesday & Thursday. Back open tomorrow.

MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:39

Larrythecatforpm · 25/06/2026 20:37

I would point out it’s cooler tomorrow than today so why didn’t they close the last two days?

My thoughts exactly - which is why I think it’s a bit shit on the parents who have kids in on Friday. Fair play if they have to close for staffing because of the schools, but it should be refunded in line with other closures for staffing issues.

OP posts:
MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:40

ScullyLyf · 25/06/2026 20:39

Ours have refunded. Tuesday PM and all day Wednesday & Thursday. Back open tomorrow.

Interesting - independent or chain?

OP posts:
ScullyLyf · 25/06/2026 20:42

MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:40

Interesting - independent or chain?

Independent. We’ve had the email confirming refund in the last hour. I was surprised to be honest!

MCF86 · 25/06/2026 20:43

BringBackCatsEyes · 25/06/2026 20:33

Is their AC broken?
The fact some staff need to collect their own kids - irrelevant.

How is it irrelevant? They can't operate if they don't meet ratios. I think it is right that schools close if they can't maintain safe temperatures (ours was closed today, even empty and ventilated as much as possible classroom temps were between 30 and 39!), but the knock on is that other services will be affected because parents can't work.

Bitzee · 25/06/2026 20:43

Sounds like they want an excuse to clock off early for the weekend. If I were a Friday parent I’d be asking what exactly is different about tomorrow vs. the rest of the week given that yesterday was about 5 degrees hotter (or at least it was in our area). Were the children unsafe on yesterday and today? If they weren’t then what exactly is different about Friday afternoon?

MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:44

MCF86 · 25/06/2026 20:43

How is it irrelevant? They can't operate if they don't meet ratios. I think it is right that schools close if they can't maintain safe temperatures (ours was closed today, even empty and ventilated as much as possible classroom temps were between 30 and 39!), but the knock on is that other services will be affected because parents can't work.

I think if it’s a staffing issue then it’s totally understandable but they should refund as they have previously when they have had staffing issues (eg in January when the flu took out a lot of staff and they couldn’t get cover and had to close rooms)

OP posts:
MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:46

Bitzee · 25/06/2026 20:43

Sounds like they want an excuse to clock off early for the weekend. If I were a Friday parent I’d be asking what exactly is different about tomorrow vs. the rest of the week given that yesterday was about 5 degrees hotter (or at least it was in our area). Were the children unsafe on yesterday and today? If they weren’t then what exactly is different about Friday afternoon?

That’s exactly what I’d say if I was a Friday parent. I really want someone to kick up a fuss as I think it’s super unfair but I will be with my 4yo in the paddling pool tomorrow so it’s not really for me to do it!

OP posts:
Bitzee · 25/06/2026 20:46

And as for staff collecting their own kids- they were able to meet ratios the rest of the week so why is it only an issue now when the schools that have closed early will have done so all week, as a massive chain can they not get agency staff, and past precedent implies if it is really totally unavoidable then refunds should be given.

hockityponktas · 25/06/2026 20:46

BringBackCatsEyes · 25/06/2026 20:33

Is their AC broken?
The fact some staff need to collect their own kids - irrelevant.

Not really irrelevant at all is it? Less staff = not meeting legal ratio

BringBackCatsEyes · 25/06/2026 20:47

MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:44

I think if it’s a staffing issue then it’s totally understandable but they should refund as they have previously when they have had staffing issues (eg in January when the flu took out a lot of staff and they couldn’t get cover and had to close rooms)

Well most of us have to make other arrangements for childcare if the school/nursery closes. Why is it different for this setting?

Binbagboogie · 25/06/2026 20:49

Ours closed at 3pm on Wednesday, and 1pm today and tomorrow. No refund, which is expensive as I have two kids there.

School also closed at 1pm yesterday and isn’t back open until Monday.

Being a working parent sometimes makes me feel like I’m disintegrating.

MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:49

BringBackCatsEyes · 25/06/2026 20:47

Well most of us have to make other arrangements for childcare if the school/nursery closes. Why is it different for this setting?

I’m not saying they’re BU for closing if they have a staffing issue and ratios - I’m saying they should refund if they can’t legally manage rooms due to staffing, as they have in the past.

I think they’re using the heat as a cover for not giving refunds.

OP posts:
MakingLasagne · 25/06/2026 20:51

Binbagboogie · 25/06/2026 20:49

Ours closed at 3pm on Wednesday, and 1pm today and tomorrow. No refund, which is expensive as I have two kids there.

School also closed at 1pm yesterday and isn’t back open until Monday.

Being a working parent sometimes makes me feel like I’m disintegrating.

Edited

Oh god two in nursery at the same time was my undoing - trust me it gets easier when they’re able to sit and watch a movie while you work (appreciate not everyone has hybrid). It’s so wildly expensive. I remember going around the eldest’s school and going to DH ‘what do you mean they have them from 9am - 3pm FOR FREE!?’ 😂

OP posts:
Jk987 · 25/06/2026 20:54

Come on, they still have to pay the staff who work very long hours for very low pay. Give them a break.

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