Retainer fee for second child

[katybird]

My son has been in nursery for nearly three years, and my daughter is due to start at the same nursery next month. I've just received the bill and as well as next month's fees for both, and a £50 registration fee for her, I'm expected to pay a further £900 (just over a month's fees) for her as a retainer.

I understand nurseries charging a retainer to cover themselves in case a parent drops out before taking up a place, but as I already have one child there it seems a bit unnecessary. The total bill is equal to our monthly income!

I'm already questioning the bill, because they verbally offered a discount for my second child (not normal practice) but I've been charged the full amount. Am I being unreasonable or should I argue it with them?

deff have a word
i personally avoid retainers load of cobbles but i do ask for a 2 wk deposit which the parents get back in the childs last 2 wks with me

I would perhaps with a nursery expect a registration fee for second child but a retainer is a bit steep as well.
I have 3 siblings all due to come to me between Sept 2011 and January 2012 but have not asked any parents for money as they are already paying for their other children to come to me. If they had taken the first child out and wanted me to hold two out of my three under fives spaces open that would be a differant matter of course and some retainer would have been expected in that situation.

IMO they can only expect you to pay a retainer if they previously made clear to you that this would be charged.

Did you pay a retainer for your older child?

For that price, I'd get a nanny and ditch the nursery.

If you are paying the fees in advance why would they also charge a retainer to hold a place you already have and have paid for, that doesn't make sense and seems very money grabbing.

firstly they should have made it clear at the beginning

i guess from nurseries point of view they have a space available and cant fill it, (because its waiting for your dc, so from their point of view, as a buisness they need to charge something for this space...) but of course they could allow any other babies to have an extra one off day / session during this month if other mums asked... I wonder if they do that?

If another baby is in your childs place AND their parents are paying for the extra session (Im sure it would be added to their bill ) then its VERY naughty to charge you too IMO)

Definitely argue it with them... perhaps as you are paying for her space you could send her along (not suggesting you, just see how they react to the idea!)

Is the retainer more than months fees? That seems a bit odd.