Is this normal?

[KillSwitch]

Looking at putting DS in nursery from June, he'll be nine months old. The nursery we've picked out for him has good reviews and the intention was that my mum would be take him in and pick him up when I couldn't as her hours are 8-3.30, so the option of 8-4 at nursery seemed perfect. However because DS is under two the nursery are telling me they will only take him for full days, I.e. 8-6. Now I might be being a bit PFB, but I don't like the thought of him being there for ten hours a day.

We do get 20% off the fees so putting him in full time works out at £80 more expensive than it would putting him in for the 8-4 option but it's frustrating that we'd be paying for 2 hours each day that we wouldn't be using (providing of course they allow him to be picked up at half 3 everyday). This nursery was ideal because of the discount and the fact that my mum can get to it easily as she doesn't drive, there isn't really another option close by.

It'll be to do with numbers, they staff to the legal ratio and won't find a baby to take the 4-6 slot. My nursery charge half days or full days, when you drop off and collect within those hours is up to you, but there is no discount for early pick ups.

Makes sense I guess!

Unfortunately it is normal as the previous person said it’s to do with numbers. We’re using a childminder where we only pay for the time DD is there.

Normal. You have half days or full days and can't pay by the hour.

This is standard. They can't offer the other half of your child's session to anyone else. You are looking at things in a very negative way. Your child has a place in a wonderful nursery and you have the option of picking them up later whenever you need to.

You can still pick him up when you want to but have to pay for the full day. If its not possible look at alternative care either nurseries or childminders as they may have different fee structures.
I charge by the hour because I would rather parents and children had the most time together rather than parent sit outside waiting so they get the time they have paid for.

If you're happy with your choice stuck with it. You can pick him up whenever you want to. Most nurseries have some charging policy we don't like. My brother has to pay for 2 week shut down in August!

Many people pay for a 7.30 to 6 slot and take their child in for only part of it at my nursery. You may be aboe to find a childminder who will charge for a shorter slot but this is pretty standard for nurseries.

Also you mention you will get 20% off (I’m assuming tax free childcare), you can get approx 33% with childcare vouchers if your workplace do them but you will have to hurry as they are ending soon

You don't have to keep him in for all those hours, paying for them is more about retaining the space. You might need the extra two hours in the future, think of it that way.

It is normal, nursery care is just available for half day, full day or if older, whatever the after school club slot is. You pay for whatever of those three you have chosen and pick up any time within the stated start and finish time for that session. No discount for early pickup as staff still have to be paid. It might feel restrictive now but once back at work you might welcome the odd half hour to work later or nip to the supermarket on the way home. PP is right, you usually have to pay for holidays and Christmas shutdown too.