Private day nursery staying open. Fees?

[doesthissoundok]

My daughter's day nursery has announced that they are staying open for all children, not just children of key workers etc. I'm planning on taking DD out of the setting for the duration as I am able to work from home, even though I'm classed as a key worker. This seemed to be in line with govt advice to only keep children at school/ nursery if completely necessary and otherwise to engage with social distancing. My feeling is that the nursery is being very irresponsible. Aside from that, does anyone know if I will still need to pay fees as technically I have 'chosen' not to send DD? Thanks in advance for opinions.

bump 😁

Check your contract. You may need to pay a retainer (ours was 50% if we were on holiday or similar). Call them and ask. Nurseries are all taking different stances on this.

Erm they aren’t allowed to.... please tell your Local Early Years dept.

They are allowed to.
Official government advice just asked them to be reasonable

My nursery is the same, not only that they are now advertising ‘emergency care’ for any children regardless up to the age of 11! For a charge of course. I’m not taking any chances and keeping my LO at home but would be interested to know if I have to pay fees

That's what I thoughtt Georgie but they are adamant that it's up to them. Seems to me that this kind of attitude will inevitably lead to harsher govt directives if people can't follow guidelines properly. They're avoiding all payment enquiries.

We have had the option of paying a percentage. Basically whatever we can afford. Ours is closing though, might be different if you’ve chosen not to send her.

I thought the govt had ordered schools and nurseries to close, I didn't realise this was optional. Except for the key worker thing.

I completely understand that it must be difficult for businesses, including nurseries, to work out how to keep afloat during this but it absolutely flies in the face of the measures being imposed on schools.

Exactly, I’m pretty annoyed as if a lot of people do take up my nursery’s offer, then we are just putting children from school to nursery instead, just makes the whole thing pointless.

Fucking government trying to be clever and just making it difficult for everyone. Close it all, it's not hard. Close it, and then we look at what needs to be put in place afterwards.

They have been recommended to close.
To give them any chance of being covered by insurance (slim) some nurseries are waiting until they’re ordered to close.

The emergency legislation to force them to follow the guidelines is being rushed through now.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

They can only stay open for children who have a key worker parent or are "vulnerable" (EHCP, social worker, etc)

Our nursery is saying they will stay open and any key worker/ehcp/vulnerable children can attend as they wish. Even though school are saying stay at home if safe to do so, even for children of key workers. I feel nursery are putting money ahead of safety. Nursery say they will charge half fees to children not attending.

I doubt that the nursery will have valid insurance cover if they stay open.

They have been told to close to all apart from key worker and vulnerable children. It is a directive not a suggestion!

They are also being extremely irresponsible in not helping limit the spread of Coronavirus and choosing money over safety. I would not send a child of mine there again. Ever.

bluebunnyblue it’s not as simple as ‘money ahead of safety’. The government have not ordered them to close. Therefore they cannot claim loss of income on their insurance. They close- no income- no staff wages/money to pay rent/rates- business folds. Staff lose their jobs and salary. Parents lose vital childcare.

What a crappy situation! It's like the pubs and restaurants - recommendations but no directives so insurance doesn't kick in. Bojo needs to stop fannying about. If things need to close - close them!