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Original poster

Nusery Charges

12 replies

smcfall · 26/08/2010 10:23

Hi All,

I wonder does anyone know whether there are any legal guidelines for nursery charges?

Our nursery has been closed for 2 days this week for 'training'.

Personally I don't know of any other business that would get away with charging customers for internal training. In my opinion, if they cannot provide the service that they are contracted to provide, they should not charge.

I understand that if I don't like it, I can go elsewhere - but if you've been looking for half-decent nurseries lately in London, you'll realise that they are not easy to find.

For me to take a day off to look after my son means that I don't get paid... each 'training' day costs me about £200!

I haven't checked the contract yet but I'm fairly sure that forced holidays (such as bank holdays and Christmas) will also apply.

There must be guidelines for this type of thing, otherwise they are free to do as they wish.

Sorry for the rant!!!

SM

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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KatyMac · 26/08/2010 10:48

They are free to do as they wish

Sorry

mousymouse · 26/08/2010 10:56

sounds absolutely normal to me.
my nursery charges the same amount each month regarless of working days or bank holidays. about 2 staff training days per year for which I can take holidays and enjoy a day with the dc.

Original poster
smcfall · 26/08/2010 11:06

I'm sure it is normal, doesn't make it right though!

Am I the only one that finds this type of business model abhorrent?!

They must fall under someone's jurisdiction, even if it's only trading standards!

OP posts:
Original poster
smcfall · 26/08/2010 11:25

... oh, and if it were only 2 per year, I wouldn't be complaining, ours has had 3 in the last 2 months!

OP posts:
mnistooaddictive · 26/08/2010 18:47

3 training days in 2 months is excessive 9if you ask me. I would be asking for dates and how many a year. Teachers get 5 training days a year and I don't think they should have more than this! Do they pick them out of air or do they use the same ones as the local school? This could be important for second and third children! My DDs nursery has never closed for training in the last 3 years that I know of. They do close for a week at Christmas and I have to pay for bank holidays when they are closed but not training!

UC · 26/08/2010 18:57

We don't get charged for bank holidays - if your DC is meant to be in nursery on a BH, you get a refund from that month's bill.

In 5.5 years of using the same nursery, they have never shut for staff training. The staff have training, but they go off in pairs or individually for that training, and "supply" staff come in to cover.

Have you checked your contract with them? It should cover both these things - BHs and closure for training.

alanrocks · 27/08/2010 01:02

Personally I think that staff training should be welcomed....

I know for a fact that most training goes on in the evenings or at the weekends for nursery staff. If there is the odd occasion that the nursery needs to close it is probably for first aid which takes 2 full days or other such important training such as safeguarding or food hygiene.

And just out of interest, how many of you get paid for bank holidays Hmm as I am sure that the nursery staff deserve this too Wink

mnistooaddictive · 27/08/2010 08:30

I agree nursery staff should be paid for bank holidays but this should be built into funding. For a while DD1 was just going to nursery on a monmday. Everytime it closed she lost her full weeks time but I still had to pay. If the cost was added to all days surely this would be fairer?

jetgirl · 27/08/2010 08:38

Ours has 2 days a year, parents are given at east 4 months notice nd they're roughly 6 months apart. I am pleased they get regular training as a whole staff cohort, and think that considering they sre open 52 weeks a year 2 days isn't much and I don't mind paying for it. Not fussed about bank holidays, I get a paid day's holiday and don't mind that nursery staff do as well. After all, they're not the highest paid staff in the world are they?

Original poster
smcfall · 27/08/2010 09:42

Seems people are fairly split over this issue!
To be clear, I'm not complaining about staff being trained, or having BH's... I believe that this is a good thing... but the ownus should be on the Nursery to fund it, same with BH's and Christmas.

At the end of the day, the Nursery is a business the same as any other and again, I know of none which would get away with charging the customer for internal training or BH's - these are a part of business, the same as having to make NI contributions or holiday pay!

There needs to be some legislation - as far as I can see, they can get away with anything; £5 a minute for late fees, £3 a nappy... (in the case of mine)

Of course you can change Nursery if you don't like the rules but as parents, you will all know that this is not as easy as it sounds.

OP posts:
jetgirl · 27/08/2010 20:57

Shock at £3 a nappy! Do you have to provide your own instead? Everything is included at our nursery, all meals, nappies, drinks etc. I know some charge extra for breakfast, but not ours. ours is very good value IMO.

SherbetDibDab · 27/08/2010 21:04

I'm sure you have signed a contract that agrees to however many days training.

However there are nurseries where

  • nappies and formula milk are provided
  • you get a credit for bank holidays
  • the staff get properly trained but not in your time.

So really YANBU...

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