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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:
Jk987 · 26/06/2026 11:45

BringBackCatsEyes · 25/06/2026 20:33

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

love your goodwill and understanding to other Mums!

jumphopskip999 · 26/06/2026 11:46

TY78910 · 26/06/2026 11:43

I googled around on this because our CM did the same and I wondered if we should give a refund. Mostly because I overpay her anyway (I pay for full day hours, she bills hourly not half day / full day, just in case we’re running late but typically don’t use 1-1.5h each day) and I had to take unpaid dependent leave to cover this so I wanted to claw some of this money back

Google seemed to suggest that weather is beyond their control so most contracts won’t cover this. I didn’t query it as it’s not a hill I want to die on

Edited

If it were a storm and the roof came off or a flood - fair enough. But this weather has been predicted for a while now, plenty time to sort air con for the rooms. It’s not unforeseen and the parents have previously raised it as an issue so I don’t agree with that. It was reasonably within their control to resolve it, especially with the financial resources at their hands!

jumphopskip999 · 26/06/2026 11:46

Jk987 · 26/06/2026 11:45

love your goodwill and understanding to other Mums!

There is no ac. That’s the problem.

SJM1988 · 26/06/2026 11:50

If the nursery dictates the closure, we get a refund bar the Christmas eve early closure as that is an ask not a forced pick up early.

Roomonthe3rdfloor · 26/06/2026 12:07

BringBackCatsEyes · 25/06/2026 20:33

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

It is relevant if their staff don’t show up, maybe they don’t have other people to watch their kids.

BurntBroccoli · 26/06/2026 12:35

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.

Edited

The humidity today is at dangerous levels due to the thunderstorms in many areas.

Sweat doesn’t evaporate when humidity is high, and can lead to the body overheating.

I do think they should have refunded though.

stichguru · 26/06/2026 12:52

I think it's fair not to refund. Staff still need paying, It's not their fault it's so hot and most people won't be finding other paid childcare at such short notice so won't be able to re-spend the money. If this looked set to go on for months that would be different, but it's due to be cooler by next week.

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