Refund if my DS told to self isolate?

[anniemouse]

There has been a confirmed case in my DS's nursery, and as a precaution, his group have been asked to self isolate for 14 days. We have been told, in this circumstance, no refunds will be given.

This seems unfair - the nursery is still getting revenue from the other groups attending. My DS attends full time so this is a lot of money to be losing potentially every time this happens.

Is this the norm now?

Our nursery is the same. It’s annoying yes but they won’t be able to take other children in place of those who are isolating, they’ll need to keep the places open for them to return in 2 weeks (and are probably also short staffed with team members needing to isolate). So I don’t see how else they could manage isolating bubbles without running at a major loss (which most nurseries can not afford to do).

It's not the nurseries fault either. Imagine how many nurseries would go out of business if they had to refund every child who had to isolate this year.

It's annoying for you obviously, but it's not their fault/choice.

Thanks ToffeeApple. I do understand - but we have just had over 40% increase in our monthly fees since it re-opened. I paid the increase because I understood the difficulties faced with COVID and DS loves the nursery and the staff are great - so it seemed worth it. However, I felt it was unfair given the fee rise and also because one of the staff told me that they are still on furlough - but nursery is insisting they come to work. She told me she has bills to pay etc and does not want to risk losing her job especially as there are no vacancies in the area.

Our nursery is the same I expect they could be flexible in some cases but they also would go under if all parents stopped supporting them.

You could look somewhere else

It’s completely normal as you still need to pay for your child’s place.

Would you expect a refund if your son couldn't go to nursery for a week because of a bad cold so you chose to keep him home?

The nursery is a business at the end of the day, they can't just refund for things that aren't their fault.

We are where we are.

My DS isn’t in nursery as I’m still on MAT leave but honestly this seems insane to me.

Not because I don’t see the nursery’s side. I understand how hard this must be for them but to lose £500+ and then even more if you’re unable to work having to look after DC. Lots of parents don’t have the ability to lose £500 fees + 2 weeks earnings and shrug it off.

Our nursery is saying it is 50% fees if you have to self isolate due to the bubble closing but if it is your child that has symptoms it is 100% which it seems is more reasonable than most. Its hard because it really isnt their fault and they still have to pay their staff.

Before covid hit Ofsted reported a staggering 500 nurseries closing a month because they couldn't afford to stay open. Added to that is most nurseries who have 30hr funded children did qualify for the full 80% furlough. I am a nursery practitioner and I don't get sick pay if I am ill. The child care sector is dangerously close to collapsing. I understand your frustration it is hard times for everyone.

That was did not qualify for the full 80% furlough