Key Workers Nursery Fees

[Raella50]

I just wanted to find out what the norm is around nursery fees. I’ve just received an email from nursery stating that all children of key workers will be liable for 100% fees as of tomorrow whether or not they’re in nursery. Other parents are not liable and will continue to pay the retainer fee. Is this right? Just for context: we aren’t using the nursery at all and have payed the retainer fee since mid-March to reserve place. Husband has been furloughed until Oct now and we won’t be using nursery until thenateast. Would you just give notice to cancel and find somewhere new once we go back to work? Unsure what is normal. Thank you!

Btw have you called your gp about your vulnerable family member to double check if they should be shielded? My step mother didn't receive a letter which was unbelievable as she has uncontrolled asthma and uses a nebuliser every night. She called her GP to ask for advice about returning to work and he said she should have revived a letter and didn't know why she hadn't so now she has one.

I'm in Scotland so no chance of us getting a nursery place any time soon unfortunately.
I am considering a nanny for a couple of hours a day although it would be better for DS not to be in the house while I'm working as I'm having sensitive conversations with service users oh the phone and it's becoming impossible with a 3yo hanging off me. DH is self employed and we absolutely need him to continue working at full pace while he still has work.

That’s actually a really good idea about the GP, I’m going to follow that up because I do believe he’s due a shielding letter and that would potentially solve the problem! Thank you!

The new guidance out this week means that key worker children are being encouraged to take up school/childcare places and the "keep home if possible" guidance no longer applies.

As per your contract with the nursery, I'm guessing if they are open and your place is available then full fees are due.

If you send your child to nursery you are going against government advice.

I don't think what your nursery is doing is acceptable.

@banginchoos oh wow is that uptodate advice? That’s really helpful thank you!

I would cancel the place at nursery. There will be space when you need it.

@BanginChoons @Raella50 that's the previous advice, this is new:
Now that we have made progress in reducing the transmission of coronavirus we are encouraging all eligible children to attend - it is no longer necessary for parents of eligible children to keep them at home if they can.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings/

@youcancallmequeenE Yes I think that’s the way to go, such a shame because I’m willing to pay a retainerike everyone else.

If you aren't receiving the service you should not be paying fees. Same goes for uk holiday accommodation and weddings.

www.childcare.co.uk/covid19/charging-parents

They are receiving the service though. They just don't want to use the service. Thats not remotely the same as not being able to lawfully access holiday accommodation.

FWIW, our nursery originally planned to do this for April. DH is a keyworker and we were planning for DD to attend as usual, so it didn't affect us. But I did think it seemed very unfair at the time as the messaging from both gov and accordingly the nursery was "if there's any way you can avoid putting your child in nursery, don't bring them to nursery" and then simultaneously saying "but even if you don't being them, as you can legally do so we are charging you full fees" They quickly revised their decision after taking advice from their insurers and the day nursery association and cancelled all fees for April as they chose to close completely instead. They are reopening later this month for eligible children, but anyone who does not take their place will be treated the same as other non-eligible children who are expected to pay a 25 per cent retainer to keep their space. They have also confirmed that anyone who does not want their child to return on 1 June can keep their place via a 25 per cent retainer. I think that's more than reasonable to be honest.

I think your situation differs to what my nursery were proposing in that gov advice has now changed, urging all eligible children to attend (assuming no comorbidities). Therefore I do not think they are being unreasonable in charging you full fees. You can give notice if you want.

Just to update everyone, the nursery have agreed to accept a letter from our GP in lieu of a shielding letter to confirm severe vulnerability. It may work out! Thanks all!

Glad to hear it OP

I understood that the advice was that if you could keep children at home (even if you are a key worker) then you should do that? So i would say the nursery are wrong to charge you - you are following government advice

Oh just seen above the new guidence - will have to double check my nursery as I am a key worker but have not been sending my child in and have not been charged so far ..

That makes no sense, it should be everyone pays a retainer or no one does, surely. If you occasionally were using them for the odd day then fair enough to keep the place open at the moment, because they might have other parents who are key workers looking for a place, but if others aren't paying but their place is secured when it reopens that's unfair. I wouldn't pay, and there will be places at nurseries and childminders i bet!

@Lumene thank you!

Not key workers we are paying 60% to keep the place