Hello! My son has a place at a private nursery from September, he will turn three next week, he is only doing afternoons, so should get half his hours paid for. I had an invoice which is asking for almost twice the amount I was expecting from the nursery, and having spoken to them they say they can't apply for the funding until September when he is actually attending there, so they can't taken that money off what we pay.
They are a great nursery (so far!) and I have no reason to doubt what they are saying, but I feel uncomfortable 'agreeing' to pay full price for the first month, when really from the day he starts he should be entitled to Government funding. She wasn't clear, but did say the funding would come off the following months and the payment would be reduced, but not for September and we wouldn't get any money back. This seems odd to me as surely they would receive the money from the Government for Sept even if it is back paid, so in effect the hours would be paid for twice (by me and them)?
So is it normal for this to happen?
I will post this in 'pre-schools' too as not sure which topic it applies to more! Thanks!