Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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.

Original poster

Nursery changing closing time from 6pm to 5pm

70 replies

NatMoz · 23/03/2023 19:09

Got informed today that from Monday onwards due to staff ratios the nursery will close at 5pm going forward for an unknown amount of time (presumably until they get more staff).

This was following the other week where we got an email regarding a rise in childcare fees.

There's probably nothing anyone can do but the short notice is inconvenient and my husband will have to leave work at 4:50pm for pick up at 5 on the dot. Not sure how others will manage when pick up is closer to 6pm!

Not really much we can do really but wanted to vent! I feel sorry for the nursery workers too as they look exhausted and I don't blame them in any way.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
SkyandSurf · 23/03/2023 19:17

That's outrageous. I'd be asking for a fee reduction until they can get staff. They will be saving a lot of money cutting five hours worth of staffing costs from their week.

MuffinToSeeHere · 23/03/2023 19:17

Yours in the second similar thread I've seen recently and this situation so it seems to be becoming more common which is a terrifying thought as it's one where many parents myself included would be royally fucked if we found ourselves in it so vent away!

Can't imagine the stress for those needing to rearrange their plans so suddenly and especially with such short notice.

Obviously if they can't meet ratio then theres not much they can do but I'd also feel very cross for the staff who are probably also now losing an extra hours pay every day.

Sirzy · 23/03/2023 19:19

This shows the mess in nurseries at the moment and sadly it’s only going to get worse.

hope they find a solution quickly

onionringcheeseypuff · 23/03/2023 19:21

My sons nursery recently decided to bring closing time forward to 5.30 rather than increase fees. I'm not sure id manage 5pm! 😞

BadForBusiness · 23/03/2023 19:23

5pm is horrendous for anyone working a 9-5 shift.

Verylongtime · 23/03/2023 19:23

But how can anyone get there for 5? A working day is often 9-5, then a commute. It’s very poor.

SpringBunnies · 23/03/2023 19:24

Not many relying on nurseries to work can manage a 5pm finish. You need to live close by and finish before 5pm to do that. Or you have grandparent’s help. I feel so sorry for the parents of young children today. (My youngest is 8 so this isn’t that long ago for us).

joan12 · 23/03/2023 19:25

One of you works 8-4 and the other 9-5 or 10-6.

Verylongtime · 23/03/2023 19:28

joan12 · 23/03/2023 19:25

One of you works 8-4 and the other 9-5 or 10-6.

People don’t get choice in their hours of work, though. I work 8-5, for example. Plus over an hour commute each way.

MuffinToSeeHere · 23/03/2023 19:29

joan12 · 23/03/2023 19:25

One of you works 8-4 and the other 9-5 or 10-6.

That's not possible for many people though and especially not with just 1 working day between now and the change occurring on Monday.

RichardHeed · 23/03/2023 19:30

joan12 · 23/03/2023 19:25

One of you works 8-4 and the other 9-5 or 10-6.

Oh it’s just THAT easy? Silly is panicking for no reason 🙄

00100001 · 23/03/2023 19:31

SpringBunnies · 23/03/2023 19:24

Not many relying on nurseries to work can manage a 5pm finish. You need to live close by and finish before 5pm to do that. Or you have grandparent’s help. I feel so sorry for the parents of young children today. (My youngest is 8 so this isn’t that long ago for us).

O a childminder

Ilovecrumpetseveryday · 23/03/2023 19:31

It’s terrible. And it’s going to get worse. Our nursery closed last year due to staffing issues.

00100001 · 23/03/2023 19:32

joan12 · 23/03/2023 19:25

One of you works 8-4 and the other 9-5 or 10-6.

Lol.

You're both allowed to just change your working hours whenever you want?

Lucky you.

00100001 · 23/03/2023 19:32

Presumably they'll lose customers and shut down eventually.

Invisimamma · 23/03/2023 19:33

That's really poor from the nursery. I already leave work at 4:30 to get to childcare closing at 6pm. 5pm.would.be impossible.

Aftjbtibg · 23/03/2023 19:34

Mine did this and it was very stressful; I already negotiated an earlier finish time at work so then asking again was really tricky and very frustrating as there was similar lack of notice

MuffinToSeeHere · 23/03/2023 19:35

00100001 · 23/03/2023 19:32

Presumably they'll lose customers and shut down eventually.

I would imagine that's quite likely. 5.30 would be OK for many but 5pm is unlikely to suit most working parents unless they already have very flexible hours.

We would have to definitely change to a different childcare provider in this situation and I doubt we would be alone in doing so.

Comii9 · 23/03/2023 19:36

joan12 · 23/03/2023 19:25

One of you works 8-4 and the other 9-5 or 10-6.

If OP could do this don't you think she would be doing it already?

SazCat · 23/03/2023 19:38

This is not on esp with giving a price rise. Maybe if they had held the prices!
Not the same I know, but DDs school changed the after school club end time from 5.15 to 5pm since covid. I know it's only 15 mins but just means we can't work 9-5!

joan12 · 23/03/2023 19:41

Verylongtime · 23/03/2023 19:28

People don’t get choice in their hours of work, though. I work 8-5, for example. Plus over an hour commute each way.

Show quote history

She was only told today! Why would she be doing it already? I know when I've had a childcare bombshell dropped it can be hard to see the possibilities and in fact many jobs (not all) have more flexibility than we may be aware before actually asking...🤷

MuffinToSeeHere · 23/03/2023 19:41

Not the same I know, but DDs school changed the after school club end time from 5.15 to 5pm since covid. I know it's only 15 mins but just means we can't work 9-5!

That was a very brave decision from the ASC. Most around here are struggling with their numbers since covid especially now many people work from home so to eliminate those who work until 5pm would be cutting off the majority of those who still used the club.

joan12 · 23/03/2023 19:43

Comii9 · 23/03/2023 19:36

If OP could do this don't you think she would be doing it already?

Show quote history

Sorry, my response above was for this post!

Verylongtime · 23/03/2023 19:46

joan12 · 23/03/2023 19:41

She was only told today! Why would she be doing it already? I know when I've had a childcare bombshell dropped it can be hard to see the possibilities and in fact many jobs (not all) have more flexibility than we may be aware before actually asking...🤷

Show quote history

What are you talking about?

GoodChat · 23/03/2023 19:46

Invisimamma · 23/03/2023 19:33

That's really poor from the nursery. I already leave work at 4:30 to get to childcare closing at 6pm. 5pm.would.be impossible.

But what are they supposed to do? They won't be keen on the idea either.