Being fined for taking my three year out of nursery!!

[user1486495324]

Hi

I wanted some advice, we are going on a religious holiday and we requested holiday from my 3 year old sons nursery which is in school. (So he will be missing one week in half term and 1 week term time- he's only attending am)

Today we received a letter back from the school saying they are disappointed and will only authorise 1 day as religious and the other days we are being fined for!!

Are they legally allowed to do this? As compulsory school age is 5.

Some advice on what to do next would be great!

State schools are permitted to fine the parents for absences where the child is of compulsory school age, not nursery age children.

However, all nurseries have a statutory duty to educate and to ensure funded hours are used as fully as possible. If, by taking the child out for holidays, you frustrate this, they may feel they need to respond. This response should not mean fines., but they would be within their rights to refuse you a place, and replace your child with someone who will use it as intended.

I’m not saying this is morally right, but it is simply the deal you enter into when you choose a state nursery paid for by state funding.