really annoyed about this -- what should I do (slightly long)?

[oregonianabroad]

DS1 has been going to the same nursery for 2 years, and is going to be joined by ds2 in Jan. I am very happy with the quality of care, however, I have recently been billed £40 for a 'registration fee' (bearing in mind we registered Sept 2005), and have also just found out that term-time only fees exist, in spite of me having asked repeatedly and being forced to pay for sessions we never used (both dh and I are lecturers), which I calculate has cost us roughly £400 per year, if not more. This is all coming out in the open because the nursery manager has changed. I am really frustrated but don't want to cause a big ruckus in case they hold a grudge! What to do???

In Sept 2005, did you register DS2, or DS1, or both?
Is the nursery still requiring a Deposit on top of the registration fee? What may be happening is a change in what they call the fee - as a deposit implies that it is refunded at some point, where as a registration fee is non-refundable.

If you aren't happy it isn't worth saving £40.

Re. when your child gets the funding.
They have to be 3 by 31.3 to get it for April term and have to be 3 by 31.8 to get it for Sept.

i was told there was a summer term beginning in may, is this incorrect as well?

Hi oregon. (& everyone)

Just to throw in my twopennorth...

Nursery Education Grant kicks in the term after the childs third birthday. It's usually only for 36/38 weeks a year as it was geared up for pre-schools doing term time only. Some nurseries take the terms worth of vouchers & spread it over the whole period they are open. They should have a table to show you. It's a nightmare to administer.

OA, I think a letter would be worth writing. The person in charge may well not be aware how badly administered the finance side of the nursery is! Where I work, the buck would stop with the Director of Hospitality and Accommodation Services so that's who I'd write to, expressing my view that it's unreasonable to ask for a "registration fee" two years after registration took place, and when there was no indication at the time that this was chargeable. I'd also say that I'd repeatedly asked about a term-time only arrangement and not received any information, leading to an outlay of (however much) which was unnecessary. But I would also say how happy I was with the childcare!

Bossybritches can I ask if you know what determines whether it is 36 or 38 weeks? Also can nurseries spread it over the whole year if the gov say it should be for whatever number of weeks?

1dilemma obviously I can only go on what our LEA do. We have three termly payments of 14 weeks (winter) and 12 weeks each for spring & summer. We get half the voucher money at the begining of the term & half after half term when they adjust the claims (in case anyone has changed claims/settings) We just take the value of the terms vouchers and spread it over how many weeks we are open to give the parents an even discount as most of ours pay by standing order monthly & it saves mucking around.

Oregon I'd stick to your guns & write that letter as Bluestocking says.

Thanks

I have to add I have discovered that the voucher value differs widely from area to area. Basically the govt gives the funding to LEA's & they cream off a bit then pass it on to parents via the carers. If you go to a Pre-school you get a "free session" but they pocket the difference between what the session actually costs & the full rate which as a charity helps keep them going. Most nurseries just take the session money off the daily rate (minus a bit for admin expenses) so you may get more for your money if you need full daycare. Nurseries HAVE to provide a fully paid session 2.5 hr session though if you request it as under the agreement terms. ddow to personal choice which is always good!