'Voluntary Contribution?'

[SearchingforGrandparents]

Hi I have recently been approved for 15 hours funding for my 2yr old to start Nursery. So I approached a lovely private Nursery/Pre-Prep School that surprisingly stated on a local website that they accepted funded children. So I thought why not? I'm no snob but if a really nice place accepts the funding then I may as well check it out at least? If nothing else, just out of curiosity/comparison. So I contacted them and all seemed great..... Then just as I'd booked at date & time to come and look around, the lady mentioned there was a "Voluntary Contribution of £900 per term as we don't feel that the funding covers the costs of the level & quality of service that we offer"

Fair enough if there was a slight cost, but £900 a TERM?!?!?

I guess my questions here are - Exactly how 'voluntary' do you think this is? Has anyone else come across a scenario like this when looking for funded places within Nurseries. Did you have the option to send them there without paying it? If so, did they treat your child differently because of this?

Is it worth the risk? Or should I just be more realistic and send her to somewhere else?

Please don't be harsh or call me snobby! I genuinely am the most down to earth person. It was just one of only 3 funded child-accepting Nurseries in the area and the only one that returned my call! (Plus I thought the little uniform is cute!)

Thanks! X

Excellent explanation by Snap8.

KP86 Housing is a basic right. Should all builders and associated trades work for free too, or is it reasonable that some small business owners make a small profit ?
Oh yes - I don't think many would disagree that having enough food is a basic right too. So does that mean all cafe owners, restaurant owners, street vendors, and, indeed shop owners (plus those that deliver, process, or grow our food) should work for free too ?

I'm not angry with anyone. I said upthread I'm more than happy to pay the difference between council funding and actual cost.