Extra costs for already exortinate nursery fees

[tor74]

Am I being tight?

I already pay nearly £600 a month for 3 full days a week at my DS's nursery.

Once a week they have some guy who comes in and does something called 'Fit and Fun' with the children. This is an optional extra which costs around £8 per session.

It turns out that most other children are doing it and my son 'is showing an interest but is having to be told to sit on the side and not join in'. So I've been asked (for the second time) if I'd like to sign him up.

This is obviously distressing to hear as I hate to think of him watching other children enjoy themselves while he has to watch on the sidelines.

But isn't this a bit of a con? I would imagine all parents are feeling the same way so are coughing up the extra cash.

I just don't think it's fair as we can't really afford it and I feel pressured into it.

What would you do?

That does sound a bit unfair. Our nursery does a similar thing (called Stretch and Grow here though) but it's included in the nursery fees.

Surely not all the children do it? And shouldn't the nursery staff be entertaining the children who don't while the others are doing it, rather than making him sit and watch?

Sounds rubbish.

I agree with LMD.

I would make a complaint about that Tor74.

Sounds very lazy that they cannot entertain the non-participating children other than by having them watch.

I wonder what the regulator feels about these optional extras. There should be proper provision for those who do not choose to opt in.

Watching on the side sounds terrible. They do additional paid for things at my son's nursery for the older children, but there is a separate room for those who have opted in to go and do it.

Our nursery is similar. I was told about all the lovely activities when we went to look around but wasn't told that they cost extra. Was very surprised when the bill came at the end of the first term. When I queried it I was given the option of ds1 sitting the sessions out but not really much of an option as he's be the only child not joining in so I am paying up!

I'm going to ask the nursery manager tonight exactly what he does while the others participate.

I guess it's difficult to keep him occupied though as he is indeed a fit and fun boy so it would be perfect for him.

Parental guilt is bad enough at the best of times without the nursery adding to it....

Personally I don't think they should have it at all - that way no one gets left out.