Are nursery overcharging unfairly?

11 replies

Hmmmmminteresting · 18/10/2020 22:40

Ds started nursery mid September 4 x days a week.
September was charged as a separate month which was fine.
I have been billed for oct, nov and Dec and its the same amount each month.
I've worked out that im being over charged by £55 in total over the 3 months which is 1 day.
I queried it and was told that for these months they've just literally done 4 days x 51 weeks ÷ 12 and come to that fee.
I've gone back and said I'm not happy that it still works out im paying for a day he wont attend. I would get this calculation if he was there from January but surely this doesn't work out? Am I within my rights to say no to paying?
FYI, i have to pay bank Holidays inc. Xmas day. So I've added up exactly how many days from oct to Dec upto and including Xmas day he's attended and there is still an extra day on top of that because the 1st oct fell into the week before IYSWIM

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dancemom · 18/10/2020 22:44

You're calculating it 4 weekly I assume? In which case you would pay 13 times over the full year. And they are calculating it monthly and will charge you 12 times over a full year?

WhereverIGoddamnLike · 18/10/2020 22:44

But it works out over the year.

Horehound · 18/10/2020 22:49

It does work out though...

Original poster

Hmmmmminteresting · 18/10/2020 22:51

So is it not jan to Dec I should base it on, just oct to oct?
Im not looking 4 weekly, I've literally looked at how many days he's there between oct and Dec (inc Bank hols) and it's 60. But what they're charging per month x 3 months totals 61 days.
I just don't get it, but I've assumed that as they charge for 51 weeks that means that week 52 was the last week of December and then it would restart in Jan. But if its a rolling fee that just goes over 12 months that.definately makes more sense!

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WhereverIGoddamnLike · 18/10/2020 22:58

They'll start it from when you start, if that's how they've chosen to do it. The week off can be anywhere in the entire year; it doeant have to he the last year.
Whether the missing week happens in December or june, it's still a 51 week calculation. Doesnt matter when you start.

Original poster

Hmmmmminteresting · 18/10/2020 22:59

That makes so much sense now, I just assumed it was until December. Thank you!
Bet go back with my tail between my legs tomorrow

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Horehound · 18/10/2020 23:01

Just blame it on baby brain :)

Original poster

Hmmmmminteresting · 18/10/2020 23:02

He is 2 and a half but I may still get away with it right 😀

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Horehound · 19/10/2020 05:14

Haha!!

Fandabydosey · 19/10/2020 20:15

It will be because school years run from September to August. So it will work out right. And the months where there are more days in you won't be charged. It is probably because of the way funding is worked out too. Did you not get given a contract and the terms and conditions of place allocation?

insancerre · 21/10/2020 06:21

It’s pretty standard for nurseries to work out fees that way
Imagine how hard it would be for the admin person to work out fees based on when each individual child started and how many days they attended
Most people appreciate the monthly fee being the same, it’s easier for voucher and tax free childcare payments, not to mention direct debit payments

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