Private nursery fees

[totallyaddictedtocarbs]

Hi

Does anyone know if we will still have to pay private nursery fees when children cannot attend as of Friday?

I’m happy to continue paying if they’re paying their staff

To be honest, I was just assuming funding would go ahead. I cant afford to pay if not.

Our contract seems to have a clause which states if the nursery has to close for circumstances beyond their control, we won't be expected to pay beyond the first 3 days. It's come as a big relief to DH and I, as DS goes full time and our fees are £1100/month. I'm probably going to have to take unpaid leave to look after him from next week, so we couldn't have afforded to pay nursery as well

Nurseries have strict staffing ratios to adhere to so if the don't have the staff, then they have an issue in regards to safety.

They also have to make sure that they are taking the health and safety of staff and children, and so if they have to close, they have to close.

As parents we make a choice as to whether to be SAHP or WOHP, both choices are valid, but if we choose to use childcare facilities then by and large they are privately owned businesses.

Its not a business you go into for the money, and it's not a well paid career either. nursery owners can probably afford to pay their staff for a couple of months at best, and like us, they have to pay the bills.

If we don't pay anything, then it is likely that many will close permanently, with staff losing their jobs. Then when this crisis is over there will be far fewer nursery places.

Childcare costs a fortune, whether you are delivering it or paying for it, but unless nurseries qualify for insurance due to loss of earnings then if we as parents don't pay at least something there's no guarantee that your nursery will survive.