Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

Flip

Original poster

Nursery wont return our deposit

17 replies

micegg · 29/06/2006 21:04

I paid £150 for a Nursery place for my DD. We went for the first day of the settling in period last week. Basically we were not given a very welcome reception and as a result did not feel comftable leaving our DD there. The perosn who answered the ddor did not even introduce herself or explain what was going on.

I decided after this less than welcoming start that I didn't want DD to go to the nursery. I rung the manager who said we could not have our deposit back. I feel they have not kept up their said of the bargain. IE. If their staff had been welcoming as we would expect then we would have happilly have left our DD with them so surely they should return the deposit. After all it is entirely down to them that we are not going there now and its created loads of hassle for us as we now need to find another nursery at short notice.

Just wondered what you all thought.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

lunavix · 29/06/2006 21:07

I feel for you in that I 100% agree that you should get your money back, however legally I believe they are correct... did you sign something or have paperwork when you paid your deposit? Anything saying it would be non-refundable? If not you might be able to get it back that way.

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 29/06/2006 21:08

did you sign anything? I fully sympathize but I suspect there's not much you can do. tbh I wouldn;t necessarily let it put you off the nursery - is it possible you just caught someone on an off day? or a member of staff who was new and didn;t really know the score either? Was the manager at all apologetic? Given that something about the place made you like it originally and given the hassle of finding somewhere else, I'd maybe give it a second chance

WideWebWitch · 29/06/2006 21:11

They're mad! They could have handled this one of 3 ways

Said sorry, made you feel welcome, your dd would be using their nursery, they would make a profit, everyone happy
Said sorry, give you your money back, learn from it, provide additional staff training, make a profit from next prospective customer, everyone happy-ish
piss you off so you are cross AND out of pocket. They don't get any profit, you get a load of hassle and no childcare, you go to court and win, they have to pay you.

I doubt very much they'd get away with not refunding this if you took it further - their nursery wasn't good enough, you took your business elsewhere, I don't see why you should pay for the privilege too. Are they part of a chain? Contact their head office if so. If not, write to the manager and then take it further if you don't get anywhere.

btw am not legal expert, just my view.

WideWebWitch · 29/06/2006 21:12

By the way, just because this is what I'D do, doesn't make it the calmest way to sort it out. I would be cross, really cross and self righteous. Doesn't mean the law would be on my side!

LeahE · 29/06/2006 21:15

That's what a deposit is for. If they saved your DD a place then they may well have been turning away other business. Actually, you're lucky that's all it was; at DS's nursery it's £100 to register on the list for a place and then a month's fees as a deposit when you get offered a place (plus payment for each month's fees in advance).

Bozza · 29/06/2006 21:36

I agree with Leah - what is the point of a deposit if you can withdraw at the last minute and expect the deposit back.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 29/06/2006 21:42

I'm afraid I'm another one who thinks this is what nurseries do with deposits. Given it was your DD's first day there, maybe you over-reacted a bit? The thought of leaving your little one...no place as good as home etc.

nzshar · 29/06/2006 21:45

Another here that thinks that is what deposits are for. And have to agree that maybe just maybe it was also your emotions running high at the thought of leaving your LO

hulababy · 29/06/2006 21:45

I agree that your deposit is probably non refunable, as that is it's purpose. Did you sign anything when leaving the deposit?

Have you been back to the nursery and talked to them again in person?

I know first impressions were not good, but given the hassle and stress of finding a new nursery at such short notice, it may be work going back and having a chat about everything. Presumably your impressions on visiting the nursery in the past were good?

edam · 29/06/2006 21:55

I imagine there's a bit more to it than the person who opened the door being a bit brusque because most people wouldn't just walk away from a nursery they'd chosen and booked for a trivial reason. You must have a strong gut feeling based on your visit.

Return of deposit legally depends, as everyone's said, on your contract. But it's bad PR for them - word of mouth is important to nurseries. I'd certainly write a firm but polite letter to head office, and see where that gets you.

Original poster

micegg · 30/06/2006 08:20

Yes there was more to it. They were blatantly rude. Its difficult to get that across on here but put it this way is it too much to expect them to wlecome us with a smile, introduce thems elves and speak to us? It was more Vicky Pollard than Mary Poppins! Anyway I am pleased we found out now rather than DD starting there. I have since found another nursery which I am much happier with.

In relation to the deposit, if I had just changed my mind at the last minute for my own reasons then of course I wouldn't expect the deposit back but that was not the case. I only changed my mind because of the behaviour of their staff. I know I am anxious about DD starting nursery but I am generally a level headed person. My DH was with me and couldn't believe it. The manager did apologise and has said she will keep DD place open until the agreed start date but there is no way I would send her there now. First impressions count and all that.

OP posts:

CristinaTheAstonishing · 30/06/2006 08:27

First impressions are important but don't forget that you had favourable first impressions of the first nursery, as you do now with your next choice. I understand gut feelings are important but I doubt you will get back your deposit based on an interpretation of one member of staff behaviour.

Twiglett · 30/06/2006 08:30

I think you might have to just write it off .. the deposit was to secure a place .. you secured a place but haven't taken it up .. its non-refundable

However I think their attitude is appalling .. and there is obviously much more to it .. because one grumpy nursery worker would not I am sure make you feel this strongly

I nice strongly worded letter to the local paper would be in order I feel

Twiglett · 30/06/2006 08:31

why don't you look for a childminder .. then the person who cares for your child is the person you meet and get to know .. not some nameless untrained grumpy-assed teenager

FioFio · 30/06/2006 08:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

micegg · 30/06/2006 09:59

I looked into the CM option but theres not much choice in my area and the ones I liked did not have places. I am happy with the new nursery ad have just shelled out a months fee for the place. £460! plus the fees for this month. Like you say I may just have to put it down to experience.

OP posts:

jamsambam · 30/06/2006 10:04

dont just give up!!
check the contract and go back to the manager, with the contract. demand an explanation o fthe staff's behaviour and your money back or you go to the press, the council and the other parenst. believe me, one stroppy mother can strike the fear of god into a badly run nursery... try it, youve got nothing to lose, except the money, which in this case is too much to walk away from (unless your dh is a footballer, then i would say its only the price of a bottle of champers sweetie!!!)

Flip