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Nurseries

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Original poster

If schools are closed due to Covid 19.are we liable to pay for nursery fees

50 replies

Hannsmum · 12/03/2020 14:04

Just wondering as above ..

Are we liable to pay as bank holidays for nurseries or as its a national emergency, we are not liable to pay or we're entitled to a refund of days not used?

OP posts:

Enwi · 12/03/2020 16:45

I’m a childminder, and unfortunately don’t know the answer to this question. I’d imagine in most cases probably not, but I’d ask people to consider how essential it is to them that they’re childcare setting is still open after all this and contribute as much as they feel able. Our overheads are still there whether the setting is open or not.

I work with my partner and we’re expecting a little one next month. My contract states that if my setting is not open then parents don’t need to pay. But if everyone took that at face value and decided not to pay/ to ask for the money back for bills paid in advance there probably won’t be a setting for them to come back to in our case.

Enwi · 12/03/2020 16:45

their*

Chocolatedaim · 12/03/2020 16:48

It’s a grey area.
If the child is displaying symptoms and you keep them at home then yes you should pay.
If the setting is forced to close then I would hope the government steps in to offer some kind of compensation.
I’m also a childminder and it would break me if we had to close for two months. In fact, I would probably have to leave the area.

Chocolatedaim · 12/03/2020 16:50

I wouldn’t be offering refunds, I wouldn’t be in the position too. I would honour the invoices and have children to the last day they paid.

I am desperately hoping it doesn’t come to that

insancerre · 12/03/2020 16:52

I’m pretty certain it says in our terms and conditions that fees are still due

Apple40 · 12/03/2020 16:54

I am a childminder and myself and all local providers sent out policies out a couple of weeks ago stating full fees will still charged in the event we are forced to shut by the government. If I close as I am I’ll then no fees, if they are ill full apply and likewise they are in self isolation I will not accept the child and full fees still apply. Sadly if parents don’t pay I will be closing my doors effective immediately.

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 12/03/2020 16:58

I think the govt should be arranging something to pay nursery staff and building costs for the period they have to close for.

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 12/03/2020 17:00

The thing is some parents will literally be unable to pay as they too will be forced to stay home unpaid due to no childcare. Mine aren’t in nursery anymore but if they were I would be one of these parents. I’m self employed and a single parent so no option but to be home earning zero if childcare disappears. It’s a shitty situation for many.

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 12/03/2020 17:05

Came to say this. How many parents will be able to pay fees whilst being unpaid themselves, I certainly couldn't. This is the sort of thing the government need to be stepping up on... wont hold my breath through.

Original poster

Hannsmum · 12/03/2020 17:06

Im a parent myself, and as someone who pays 4 weeks in advance and for instance, they close it after 1 week and we have to stay home for the rest of the month, working from home with the kids.

That woukd be unfair on us if we are still childminding and working from home, and having to lose over 800pounds equivalent to paid childcare already.

There should be a way forgovernment to fix this so it benefits both nurseries/ child minders and parents?

OP posts:

SuddenArborealStop · 12/03/2020 17:13

In ROI so this is happening now, I checked my contract and it is covered in there and I have to pay... Now I'm on ML anyway so I'm one of the lucky ones who doesn't need to find alternative arrangements but I'd appreciate a discount if nothing else.. I do understand they still have overheads and I wouldn't be happy with the workers getting no pay

Invisimamma · 12/03/2020 17:17

This is a very unusual situation. Usually you wouldn't expect to pay for a service that has been cancelled/closed/not provided for reasons outside your control. But I do understand that will put businesses in precarious financial situation.

donkey86 · 12/03/2020 17:21

DD’s nursery emailed parents yesterday to say that they wouldn’t close unless the government forces them to, but that if they do, we still have to pay the full amount for however long it lasts. Crossing my fingers it doesn’t get to that point!

Original poster

Hannsmum · 12/03/2020 17:22

@donkey86 yikes!! .the after effect of all these would be disastrous 😢

OP posts:

NannyPear · 12/03/2020 17:25

There's literally no way I can pay nursery fees when I won't be paid for having to be off work to look after them. Bloody well struggle as it is!

mummyh2016 · 13/03/2020 12:00

Its ridiculous, if I have no childcare I can't work. If I don't work I don't get paid. Whilst I understand it isn't the staffs fault I don't understand how I can be expected to pay for a service I'm not receiving if I have no money coming in. So the staff will get paid in full but I will get nothing plus have to pay out for nursery fees? Its ridiculous.
If my nursery closes I'll give notice that day and she won't be going back.

DigitalGhost · 13/03/2020 13:17

@mummyh2016 that's my plan too. I'd pay up to the end of April and that would be it. I wouldn't be sending my child back if I have to pay for a service I can't receive.

Apple40 · 13/03/2020 13:49

Just remember even if you do give notice you will still have to pay the notice period as set out in your contacts in most cases this is 4 weeks.

coffeandcake30 · 13/03/2020 14:12

This would be awful. There is no way on earth I could afford to pay the nursery with no income. Don't know what I'd do.

halcyondays · 13/03/2020 14:17

Most people couldn’t afford to pay nursery fees unless they were getting full pay themselves. Not many employers are going to pay their staff for months if they need to look after kids at home. The government needs to do something about this.

Chocolatedaim · 13/03/2020 15:25

The government really needs to address this.
Forcing settings to close will be disastrous for both parents and staff

Bubblesbubblesmybubbles · 13/03/2020 15:28

Im happy to pay as long as I'm able to (until funds run out basically) as my nursery is fantastic as are the staff BUT i would want to know the staff are being paid

anxiouswaiting · 13/03/2020 16:05

This has been worrying me and your post prompted me to dig out the t&c for our nursery.

Ours says if they are closed for reasons out of their control for 3 or more days we will be credited for any time we have paid during closure minus 3 days.

So we will lose some money but thankfully only 3 days worth.

SMaCM · 13/03/2020 20:57

Remember if your nursery doesn't get paid, there is a likelihood they will have to lay off their staff and will not be able to reopen. It depends on the size of the nursery.

alveytan · 18/03/2020 15:26

I have to say i totally understand if you don't get paid how can you pay. Im panicking about cover too even though my boss has said we will work around it.

What i thought i would do is appeal to my childminders better nature and suggest as i don't pay for school holidays but i will need some extra cover in August. If she can do 3 days in one week where i don't pay her? She has other children and really the cost of a 1 year only wouldn't surely put her out that much for 3 days (i suppose unless she has extras). Hence it would then save me 3 days in August not technically for free as I've paid her now when my child was at home.

Whether she agrees i don't know, but my feeling is if i'm good enough to pay her surely people should try and help each other out.

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