can nurserys refuse half days?

[sezyjayne]

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?

@emeraldcity2000

Most nurseries have a minimum number of days / hours I think ... partly because of the child settling and partly because they have a certain amount of management time needed per child to complete all the tracking of milestones etc that just isn't viable if they have a lot of children for short periods of time. Difficult for you but not discriminatory I think.

Agree with this.

However are there any church-run playgroups near you? There are some near here that basically run from 9.15-12-15 or so term time only and are very cheap. I started my kids off doing just one morning a week but eventually increased to 3. Much cheaper than a private nursery.

Is the child his?

Can you increase your hours do you work a full day on your half day, then use a whole day of nusery? Could your partner apply for flexible working so he works an extra hour a day on the other days of the week, and has a half day off on the half day you work?

If you use tax free childcare them the government will pay %20 of your fees
If you pay in 80 then the government puts in 20 and you have 100 to pay the nursery
But you need to consider childcare as a joint outgoing so your partner needs to be contributing too

One half a day session a week takes a child ages to settle so many say 2 as minimum

You say your partner works full time abs above threshold for help so why isn’t he paying towards childcare

The joint pot

You shouldn’t be paying for it out of your income

Tho if you are only working 10hrs and end up paying for 6 you have 4hrs

Or increase your hours

Or give up work till he is 3

You may find it easier with a childminder.

We send our son two mornings a week. 5 months on and he's still not really settled, although he's had quite a bit of time off sick.
I dread pick up because so often they say he's been tearful or grizzly although he does have some happy moments. So it's not just the nursery who suffer it might not be great for your son either.
Two sessions minimum is usual round here and nursery have hinted he needs to do more hours but like you we can't afford more days.
I don't consider it discrimination, bloody annoying though.