Not sending child in during notice period, funded hours

[Norpeth]

Without going into the long story of why, ds has just started at a private nursery (funded hours) but I want to send him to a different nursery. The current nursery haven't done anything wrong (it's a long story) the contract says I need to give 4 weeks notice, but do I need to send him in for those 4 weeks? Will they still get their payment from the government if he doesn't attend?

Hope that makes sense!

You don't need to send him but he won't be able to start in the new setting until the notice period is up (unless you fund it yourself).

In my local authority you have to report funded children who don't attend more than 90% and you lose the funding. Not sure if all LA are the same but you could then be liable for the fees.

Okay that's good to know thanks you. I assumed I'd not be able to send him to another one I til the notice period was over. Will the nursery still get paid, do you know?

Sorry X post. I see, that's what I was hoping wouldn't be the case! I can't afford to pay but really really don't want to send him in as he's really not happy.

You'll have to discuss it with them. And check you can move the funding? Some councils don't let you move mid term

If I can't move the funding that's fine too. I just really don't want to send him to current nursery again if possible.

In my LA the funding moves with the child so if the parent doesn’t give the notice period the setting has to chase the parent for payment. The setting cannot keep funding to cover the cost.

Las have different policies mine honours the notice period talk to your nursery

My LA will pay for 2 weeks funding during a notice period whether the child attends or not. You could phone the early year's team direct at your council and ask them as the nursery might not be completely honest....

@Norpeth the rules are different depending on the local authority.
where I live, the funding is paid for the notice period, but obviously the new setting won’t get paid at the same time

Thanks everyone for the advice. I won't be sending him to a new nursery until after April so no problems with new nursery and funding.

Just remember it's these sorts of things that make settings hate the funding model. It's set up to always favour the parent and settings can't win.

I understand that private nurseries are struggling and I do think government funding should be higher per place but I don’t understand your point. Of course it’s set up up favour the parent, why wouldn’t it be? It’s government funding to help parents, not a grant for businesses. OP should absolutely do what’s best for her child regardless of whether the nursery dislikes it.

Well without it being attractive to settings (I'm a childminder so I have my own family to support) then parents aren't going to have anywhere to use their funding are they?

As a business I have terms and conditions, one of them being a notice period that is mutually accepted so both parties have protection. If funding can be pulled, with no notice, then setting are going to lose out. Worse still, if the child is pulled out before head count, some councils won't even pay for days the child has already attended.

Do you think that this is fair?

@KateyCuckoo - I still think the parents desire over who looks after their child should trump the business owner’s earnings, yes.

Businesses are still entitled to be paid for services provided including a reasonable notice period. You've dragged it away from the initial point, you clearly have an agenda...

@KateyCuckoo - I have no agenda other than I felt your post was trying to guilt the OP into putting the nursery rather than her child first so I wanted to say something. It’s also made me very pleased with my decision to never use a childminder so thanks for that 👍

It won't be a help to any parent if there are no settings left to use because the rules are making it impossible to run a business so they shut....which is what's been happening.
The system used is the school one and private care not working school hours has been pushed into it ...hence the term time only. Schools always have Children leaving and new comers it balances out and notice periods are not a concern, funding is paid termly.... so private sectors are having to put up with each LAs fixes...no universal rules on notice, some paid termly in arrears some part payments with two a term some monthly....effectively nurseries and childminders are often working and paying bills through loans then being paid 3 months later ....and not even being told what they will be paid before starting work....my LA tells us part way through April what we got paid from April 1st.
The government has effectively nationalised a private industry without laying out money to buy it, they are telling people what they will be paid with no concern on if the payment is enough to keep the lights on.....that should be every parents concern unless you want baby farms with numerous children or babies per adult in a communal barn safe from physical harm but with no stimulation

Do you think your nursery has no notice period or terms and policies.... Is it a non profit charity?

LOL - it is actually, it’s a workplace nursery in the public sector, but that’s not at all relevant. I didn’t say nurseries shouldn’t have a notice period. In fact OP was very concerned the nursery wouldn’t get paid. The PP was trying to make OP feel guilty for changing her mind as a nursery would be missing out on money 🙄. Childcare in this country needs a complete overhaul frankly.

I think you're seeing something that isn't there where does she say that?

Lots of charity nurseries are closing ....your lucky the tax payer is doubly funding yours because they wouldn't be able to keep going without it.