Why no top up fees

[Teandbuns]

My DC preschool recently closed after running out of funds. This sadly seems to be increasingly common. What I don’t understand is why they never charged top up fees like the local nursery? Personally I would have been happy to pay and the other parents said they would have too. Not sure why many preschools don’t consider this?

Because they are not allowed to do so.

When the government re-calibrated the scheme in about 2004, top ups were banned

Various sharp practices (nigh on inescapable add ons) are fairly common, and parents often put up with them because they don't want to see their nursery/pre-school fold.

Nurseries who don't want to break the terms of the scheme can find themselves in very difficult circumstances and may need to close if it becomes impossible. But you can't expect them to breach the terms of the scheme just because others do so

Thanks for explaining, that really is such a shame as would much rather fewer hours funded at a sustainable rate or have the option of paying top up fees than these wonderful places close.

Following as had a similar situation.