Admin fee preschool

[kittytom]

Hello

I just wondered if anyone could tell me whether preschools are allowed to charge an admin fee which hasn't previously been publicised.

I have been charged one for changing my child's hours this term despite giving, and requesting an invoice for, the correct stated notice period.

The first I can see on any website document of an admin fee relates to a discretionary hours change 'should it be necessary'. No specific amount is stated. This newsletter was circulated a week after they would have received my notice.

Happy to pay the fee if necessary, it was just a surprise as the policy and previous newsletters only state that you would need to pay for the notice period - which is what I was expecting an invoice for.

Nurseries are private businesses. They can charge what they like and parents can either suck it up and pay what is asked or vote with their feet and go elsewhere.

How much is the nursery charging and how much does your child like it? Is it worth fighting?

Just to clarify my confusing end of day post above... the first I can see of a discretionary fee relating to change of hours 'should it be necessary' was on a newsletter which was circulated a week after I gave our written notice and requested the invoice for it.

Ah, ok. Thanks. Guess we will just have to pay it then!

It is a community preschool. My son isn't that keen tbh, hence reducing his hours. We and he do like his key worker though, hence sticking with it.

I do find it weird though that any business can suddenly decide to retrospectively apply a non-specific fee without previously stating it will, but what do I know!