I had my DD registered to start preschool this week. She turned 3 last term so was eligible got funded hours after Easter. I’d booked her in for 18 hours per week. 15 funded (subsidised) hours, plus 3 we pay for in full (I’m freelance but only eligible for the 15 hours). Preschool is now closed, of course, but I’ve received an invoice for 50% of the fees for this half term. The funded hours are not free but subsidised to about £3 per hour. The extra 3 hours are about £7.50 per hour.
There’s no explanation as to what this 50% is for (i.e. staff wages, rent etc.). Clearly the preschool won’t be open this half term. I can’t see myself being happy to send DD until September now anyway. It seems odd to have to pay for these 18 hours, albeit at half price. I don’t want to leave the preschool struggling, but equally my DH has taken a pay cut, my freelance work has dried up and DD has never done a day in this preschool. I feel we should be given some reasoning behind the charges? There’s no suggestion that this money will be used against future fees once the preschool reopens, which I’ve heard some nurseries doing. It’s definitely just for the current half term.