Charges when not there

[molliejade24]

Out of the last 9 usual attendance days, my son has only been in nursery for 2.5 of these, and we’ve been charged the full amount?

This is due to them sending him home twice for illnesses and not letting him back, and us isolating for a week.

I know you usually pay when they’re off, but it’s a bit steep? Is there anything I can do?

Nope that sounds pretty standard - if he is sent home because he is ill and kept home you still pay - the same with self isolating

Pretty standard

Neither instance was their “fault”. Nurseries usually only don’t charge if they choose to close.

Yes, standard.
They couldn't afford to stay open if they didn't charge when each child is absent due to illness.

It's not like they can sell his place to someone else when he's not there can they so you still have to pay unfortunately

This is pretty much the standard for nurseries.

You can check your contract to check their are following it, but I think in all honesty, you'll just have to accept & pay.

Even in normal times nurseries will not allow children back when the child has had D&V, eye infections, impetigo etc

I know it seems tough, but they have to staff up for the number of children on their role and will have to pay staff irrespective of how many children are off on any one day. This is the model all the nurseries I know follow. I suppose there may be nurseries which don't charge if the child is off, but I would imagine their daily rate is higher. I imagine most child minders will be the same, although their daily rate is probably lower

We worked out that full time nursery for DD would have been more expensive per year than private schooling!

Standard I’m afraid. Our nursery only waves the charges when a bubble bursts due to Covid or the nursery closes.

Normal. Only exception could be if they closed the nursery room due to covid.

Yes normal. The fact that they couldn't attend at short notice doesn't change the nursery's overheads that they need to cover, or staffing levels that have been organised in advance or food that's been ordered. You've paid to reserve that space, whether or not you take it up.

Ah I already knew the answers - just a killer some times! Especially as they’ve put this bill onto next months too so it’s an all-round extremely high one. Thanks everyone

Normal.

I'm paying less next month because they're closed for a week. They don't charge if they have to close for covid but if my son is ill or sent home or on holiday, I pay as normal.

Completely normal.

Completely normal. Our nursery closes in August, but we still pay - ouch!

Yeah same with childminders.
General rule for both is if the nursery/cm close their setting they don't charge.
If you don't send child in or they're sick you get charged.

Shit times I agree.

Yep, very annoying but normal.

You are paying for the place not for attendance
Same with your gym membership or your sky subscription or your phone contract
You don’t get a refund if you don’t go to the gym or watch tv or use your phone