Snow days at nursery? Do we still pay?!

[emmabrown123]

Just got our nursery invoice for this month. Our nursery was closed last week for 2 days because of the snow. We found out Thursday morning when DH went to drop off our boys and there was someone outside saying it was closed!! We were pre-warned about the Friday on their FB page.

Anyway our invoice has deducted £40 for our 1 year old for the Friday, nothing for our three year old.

The three year old gets 22.5 free hours (30 hours divided over the whole year rather than term time), but goes in 3 days so we pay about £30 top up per week for him.

I'm confused as to why they've only refunded money for 1 child for 1 day?!!

Have checked our contract / hand book and there is no mention of what they do in this circumstance.

Couldn't find anyone to speak to this evening, any thought / experiences before I go in and query it tomorrow?!!

I wouldn't know but I assumed they charged regardless as to whether they shut or not. Annoys me if I'm honest as they shouldn't be paid for a service they aren't giving

It is annoying - especially as I had to take unpaid leave to cover it!!

They need to charge even if the children can’t go in because the right thing to do is to still pay their staff, and in order to do that they need to charge.
I know plenty of people don’t get paid if their place of work is closed due to snow, but I don’t think it’s right.

No idea but normal albeit annoying to have to pay. The only time we didn't pay was when nursery had to close for a week because it flooded and the roof caved in.

Yes, I would assume you still pay. It is possibly int he contract somewhere. But they nursery will still have to pay their overheads for that day such as staff wages, electricity, water, etc.

I'm surprised they've even refunded some of the fees for the 1yo for one of the days tbh.

DD goes to an independent school which we pay for. No refunds for snow days there - similar principle.

At my work (NHS) I was told it was my responsibility to make it in (I work an hour away), and if I couldn't it would have to be taken as unpaid leave or annual leave.

It was also clearly stated that we were not allowed to take carers leave if school / nursery were closed!

I thought that'd be how it was everywhere!!

My other gripe was there was no need to close!! The roads were fine, all the buses were running, but apparently none of the staff could get in. On the Thursday I managed to get into my work and visit all my patients with no problem!!

I’m surprised that a big company like the NHS doesn’t have a more family friendly policy. My employer would have allowed me to take paid emergency dependents leave if I had had to take time off. In fact dh works for the same company and he got paid when he had to leave work early to pick up ds when the nursery closed.
It does absolutely suck that you didn’t get paid op.

I thought that'd be how it was everywhere!!

If the nursery closed, then staff wouldn't be expected to be there but should still be paid.

If nursery remained open, then staff would generally be expected to try and get there if it was safe to do so or via public transport if it is running. If they can't/don't get it whether they are paid is at the discretion of the business.

DH's business expects people to walk in if they live within 4 miles of work, but accept people may be late. They also have exceptions for those with mobility issues.

Yes unfortunately NHS isn't massively family friendly anymore.

Ironically our manager sent us the email regarding unpaid / annual / carers leave from her own home as she hadn't come in but decide SHE could 'work from home'

My dd's nursery was closed for 4 days last week and we've paid for 4 days. Staff still need paying etc.

Our nursery closed for a day and full fees were still payable. I would have expected this as they still have to pay staff and would have bought food etc. They have, however, offered us a free day, so the children can go in on a day when they are not usually in nursery, for no extra charge. I think this was unnecessary but we are taking up the offer.