How much notice should I get for a rise in fees?

[saladsucks]

I have just got this month's nursery invoice and it is £65 higher than it should be. So I called the nursery only to be told that the fees have gone up (£16 a week) from 1 November. I asked why I hadn't been notified and she told me that they had sent letters out but they may have been caught up by the post strike.
Even if that is the case - that would be 2 week's notice. I would expect more than 2 week's notice of a rise in fees.
What do you think?

Does it speciify anything in the contract ?

I'm at work and haven't got the contract with me. Will have to check it when I get home tonight.

any t and c's on their website ?

Liz - we think alike (you must be a lawyer as well!). I have already been on to check and can't find them.
I'm really annoyed about this and sitting at my desk quietly fuming!

Ok - igonore my last message I have found them. It says
"Two months notice will be given before any fee increase is implemented".

AFAIK its 28 days notice, thats what i was told to offer(im a cm) and only fair to give plenty of notice.
plus they could have told ylou IN PERSON about it if they thought strike would effect it

ah too late, best give them a ring then!

What annoyes me is that they leave the invoices for you to pick up at nursery, why don't they just leave the letter with the change of fees there as well. Why post it at all?
What do I say to complain? You didn't tell me so I'm not paying for the next 2 months until I've had my notice?
I think I better do it in person (or wait till I've calmed down a bit).

I'm so annoye that i forgot how to spell! Oops!

pay your normal fee and send a letter in about a week saying you wont be paying new fees until proper notice is given..when they discover you have paid old fees and ask you, say oh i did post you a letter about it, must be that bloody postal strike again

thanks MissInvisible.
Anyone else have any bright ideas as to how to deal with this?

do they have a head office?
if so, speak to them and complain in writing
why have the fees gone up? ask them what the extra money will be going to
and ask them to treat the parents with a bit more consideration!

We received notice today, in a letter handed to parents, which we had to sign to say we received, that fees will go up on January 1st.

I'd be speaking to them and withholding extra fees until the 2 month notice, and put in writing to them why you are doing it.

By way of update, I called head office and (finally) spoke to the right person. They have confimed that I was not given the correct notice and so the fee increase will only apply to me from 22 December (2 month's after I first received notice).
Thank you for your help.
I'm pleased that they were willing to respect my contract.

Yep- fair enough salad -they have a notice period, didn't stick to it, admitted they've ballsed up & have now given you the correct notice.

Very professional I would say.
(yes it shouldn't have happened but it did)

Mistakes DO happen it's how you deal with it that impresses customers/clients, we're all human!

Glad you got it sorted!