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Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

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Original poster

can nurserys refuse half days?

57 replies

sezyjayne · 10/05/2021 13:17

Hi I've been enquiring to 8 of the local private nurseries and childminders in my area as I am wanting to put my son in for just 1 half day session a week as this is all I can afford.
I have been told by every single one of them that they only accept a minimum of 3 half days, one even saying a minimum of 3 full days!
Is this right to refuse us because of this? I feel like I'm been discriminated against because I am in low income but do not qualify for the 15 hrs free funding.
I had no problem years ago with my eldest child when she was in nursery just for 1 half day session a week. So I'm upset and don't understand if they can legally refuse me because I can't afford to pay for extra hours.

Any help please?

OP posts:

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andivfmakes3 · 10/05/2021 13:56

It's a bit of a stretch to say you are being discriminated against...

One 1/2 day is a difficult place to get hold
Of - all the places will be taken up by kids whose parents need a lot more hours than that

Can't you increase your hours at work to qualify for the 15 hours childcare?

Original poster

sezyjayne · 10/05/2021 14:00

My partner works full time so we do not qualify for free childcare. As much as I really do want to continue working there's probably nothing I can do except just quit and look for work next September instead.

Thanks anyway all

OP posts:

HumunaHey · 10/05/2021 14:08

@sezyjayne

I understand he may struggle to settle as my daughter was the same. But after a few weeks the tears stopped. Hes just turned 2 and I only work 10hrs a week (wed and sun) but am struggling to find any childcare for him on the Wednesday. I keep passing him around the family and even to my neighbours and I feel awful about it. I really just would like him in nursery but I'm shocked nobody will accept him for half a day. Didn't have this problem 5 years ago

Can you not set up a formal arrangement with a neighbour/family member where you pay them what you would the nursery? That way you could get someone to commit to taking care of your DC rather than it being a favour?

It would be a shame if you had to quit working.

Astronaut8 · 10/05/2021 14:16

Do you have a little preschool around yours?
We have one attached to school and it’s only £10 for 3 hours.

karmakameleon · 10/05/2021 14:17

@sezyjayne

Thanks anyway all

Can your partner agree a flexible working arrangement and take a half day off? Perhaps he could use annual leave until your free hours kick in?

Maryann1975 · 10/05/2021 14:17

@sezyjayne

Its £138 a month for just 1 half day. Believe me if I could afford more hours then I would.

How much is a full day? It’s not always proportional how much you pay for a half day compared to a full day. You might be paying a premium because you want shorter hours as they can’t fill the other hours of the day and have a minimum they need to make per space per day.

andivfmakes3 · 10/05/2021 16:11

@sezyjayne

Thanks anyway all

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours - how old is your child?

andivfmakes3 · 10/05/2021 16:12

Ah sorry just seen he's just turned 2......if your partner works then and is over the threshold abs you aren't considered as being low income then surely he can afford to pay a bit extra to make it a full day? Or is your partner saying you have to cover the cost out of your 10 hours a week wage?

dementedpixie · 10/05/2021 16:15

Surely your partner should be paying towards nursery hours too. A full day may not be double the half day rate. Have you checked a full day price?

bookish83 · 10/05/2021 16:19

Can't you 'pay' one of the friends or family members who have been helping you so far?

Not getting into the ins and ours of the pay.... but more a regular childcare set up from someone you trust?

24GinDrinkingOnceTheKidsInBed · 10/05/2021 16:25

Child minders tend to be cheaper than nursery sometimes.

Perhaps look for a nanny or babysitter who registered and could do a half
Day for you?

Tumbleweed101 · 10/05/2021 18:00

Many nurseries are private businesses so it isn't illegal for them to decide the terms and conditions that work for them.

Are you in a busy area where spaces are snapped up? If so then one half day isn't good business sense but if you look at nurseries without a waiting list you may have more luck. My nursery has spaces where this would be possible but we would always recommend more than one half day to help with settling in.

Apple40 · 10/05/2021 18:03

Hi, I have just left childminding but sorry I did not accept any families only wanting 1/2 day or 1 day a week as the children would never really settle with the long gap in between and too be honest not worth the stress of trying to re settle each week. I did when I first started it was a complete nightmare plus it restricted what I could do on that day as I felt I was clock watching to be back in time for child to arrive or leave. Like another childminder said I had a set amount I had to earn each day to pay my bills . I had a policy of minimum 7 hours a day 2 days a week . They could have less hours but still two days but this would be charged at a higher rate plus I also charged a months fees as a deposit, this was held until they left my care and did not owe any money. They lost the whole deposit if they did not take up the save , left in first 12 weeks of contract starting owed me money when contracted ended. I had to grown and adapt my business following families messing me .

MotherPiglet · 10/05/2021 18:12

How old is the child? Once they turn three they get 15 hours free funding from the term after their 3rd birthday

HairyFeline · 10/05/2021 18:17

If you get universal credit based on your low income you get 85% of your childcare paid for, OP. Might be worth applying for?

BakewellGin1 · 10/05/2021 18:21

My youngest DS has been accepted to do two mornings a week (Tues and Thurs) but he goes into 2 year old provision within a primary school so could be an option if any near you offer that... I think approx 5 in our town do it since not long after Sure Starts closed.

OwlTwitterings · 10/05/2021 18:21

It’s not just the settling in, it’s also the fact that it means they cannot offer a full week to another child because they are half a day short and they are unlikely to financially benefit as they won’t maximise their opportunity to be at full capacity. They also don’t want to spend longer settling in a child who is unhappy because one half day a week is a bigger and slower disruption to all the other children.

It’s not discrimination though. It’s a fairly standard business decision regardless of the income of the parent/s.

MayorGoodwaysChicken · 10/05/2021 18:22

Is it an option to work more hours like maybe two full days so you have more coming in to cover more nursery? And I mean the plural you-I hope this cost is being shared between you and the child’s other parent, especially given he works full time. Are you married? Sorry to be nosey but I really hope you’re not another very vulnerable poster barely earning, unmarried and shouldering the full burden of childcare costs

I would do anything you can to keep your job at this point as it’s always easier to find a better suited one when you’re currently in work. In the current climate I would explore every avenue before quitting.

caringcarer · 10/05/2021 19:08

Could you not find a regular babysitter who would have your child over to there house and do little craft and fun activities with them? Do you know another Mum.who would have him for the half day every week and pay her for her time.

Purplestorm83 · 10/05/2021 19:37

It’s also due to the time of year - nurseries are absolutely full in the summer term as children have started nursery throughout the year but they mostly don’t leave until the summer holidays when they start primary. Also children about to start primary tend to up their hours in the summer term to get used to being in school full time. In September nurseries will have lots more availability and may be more accommodating.

NuffSaidSam · 12/05/2021 12:28

You need a babysitter, they'll do half a day a week. Ask around locally if anyone has an au pair or a nanny looking for extra hours. Local Facebook groups are usually good for this.

SleepingStandingUp · 12/05/2021 12:50

Can someone who has him now for you commit to having him every week if you pay them or two people fortnightly?

What hours do you work Wednesday that need covering? Could DH finish a little earlier to help? Who has your daughter after school on that day?

Could work swap any of your hours?
I wouldn't quit a job you like ATM if there's a work around

Santastealer · 12/05/2021 12:54

If your husband works full time and you want to keep your job, then you tell him either he needs to sort some flexible working so he can provide childcare on Wednesdays, or between you you find the money for a full day at nursery.

Childcare bills aren’t just yours and shouldn’t be compared against just your wage.

LolaSmiles · 12/05/2021 12:56

It sounds like you need a regular babysitter.

It's understandable that a provider doesn't want to offer half a day a week because that means they cannot take another child full time because they only have 4.5 days free. Taking your child a few hours a week costs the provider hundreds a month.

Also, childcare providers not having the day/times you want is not discrimination.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 12/05/2021 13:01

Get a babysitter. But of course a business can legally refuse to take your child under your own terms. That is not discrimination. Wow, how entitled to think a place has to take your child the way you want or they are at fault.

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