Hi all,
Would like some opinion on the astronomical summer childcare bill I just received.
2 children, they go 4 days per week after school - I pay £538 per month.
The policy of the facility is that in summer, whether they go or not, we pay full rate. Then, if they actually want to attend, I pay £30 per day over and above the normal rate (ie. if they go for 10 days in July, thats £810).
I got hammered last summer and said I'd just leave them in for their normal hours over this summer, as I simply can't afford to pay any more. Childcare said no, because they'd be off on trips and so only full days are possible. Therefore it was suggested that they attend on 2 full days instead of the normal 4 half days.
I thought this was agreed and, all in all, they are only in for about 10 days all in over the whole summer holidays (which are 9 weeks in Northern Ireland - they would normally be in for 36 afternoons during this time period at term time).
But I've just had a bill for £630 for July and £720 for August!! Am incandescent with rage!
They say 'but that's the way everyone does it'.. by way of excuse. Is that really true??
If I don;t pay, they say the kids will lose their place for next year.. I'm thoroughly fed up with being held over a barrel like this - the thing is, the kids really love it there and it is a good standard of care.