Nursery changing opening hours

[Saskia2024]

Hi, just wondering if anybody knows where i stand on the below situation.

My child has been going to nursery since August last year. Last week all the parents received a message saying that from the following week the opening hours are going to change due to staffing/sick issues. (Normal opening hours - 07:30 - 18:00, new opening hours - 08:30 - 17:00) We have now been given an update that the hours are going to stay at the reduced hours with no end date to when they will change back.

These new hours are not suitable for our family.

We have now found a new nursery and want to give our notice to the old nursery, would i still need to give 4 weeks notice even though the nursery has broken their side of the contract by changing their hours?

The nursery will most likely insist that you give the 4 weeks notice.
I’m guessing they’re still gonna charge the same amount too?
I’d contact the manager directly and explain how that doesn’t work for you and can they allow you to withdraw early.

Sounds like a desperate attempt at staying viable. They'll probably close pretty soon.

They changed the contract so I think you can too. Giving 4 weeks notice would be nice but if you just left on the day the hours change I don't think they have a leg to stand on legally.

Would be surprised if they stayed in business for much longer. Must be in trouble with lack of staff etc.
Our nursery was opened 8-6 and I would have preferred 7 30am..

The nursery is a private business, it is like you complaining that your local corner shop changes their hours.
Nurseries are doing all they can to survive at the moment and if them reducing their hours to this stops them having to close completly then that's better for so many other parents.
You are a user of the private business have your rights to go elsewhere and they will find others who the hours do suit

@Amumgettingthrough well no its not like a corner shop is it. The service they are providing is childcare. Generally needed for parents to work set hours. That is their function and the core of their business. If they aren't providing that service, or the service they do provide is not one that works for the clients then they won't be in business for long. Parents need childcare for a reason and often can't permanently change contracts at short notice. Shorter hours may mean less pay. Thus less ability to afford the childcare in the first place.

It's more like if you had a standing order with you local shop to collect a set basket of groceries each week - then they told you they will no longer provide milk or bread but you still have to pay the same amount.
I would definitely just give the nursery the dates you will leave and cancel any direct debit or CC authorisation so you can make sure you only pay up to that date.
By all means let them know what you are doing but I wouldn't be asking permission, they didn't ask yours!

But surely the post is about how much notice she should give rather than ‘complaining about the hours’?
due to the fact they’ve broken the terms of their contract ?

And moving early is important. When(if) this nursery closes everybody will be looking for places so there may not be any for the last to leave.