Under charged for nursery fees...

ldw10977

I have been hit with a bill for over £500 for nursery fees underpaid for three months from Sept09 till Dec09. This is despite the fees being paid by direct debit (where the nursery controls the amount) and despite during that period, the nurseries direct debit procedure failing (they then caught up with payments in one go - you would assume they would have checked the amount then, but catch up was also on wrong amount). The fee structure is hard to work out - 1 child on rates from 2007 with tax voucher for being aged 3 and discount for having a 2nd child there. 2nd child is on charge scale from 2009 - needless to say very confusing.
As I have no way of accuately challenging the nurseries calculations, does anyone know whether I am required to pay the shortfall as obviously not my error. I have also claimed a set amount for child care costs for working tax credits, and it is now too late to backdate these and get extra credits.. In other words I have to pay the whole amount.
I am sure this is not fair and as nurseries error they are responsible.... thoughts appreciated please

somethingcorporate

That sounds extremely complex.

What I would ask for is a schedule of the costs and payments made from that period of time so you can see exactly where the underpayment arose. You can use this as a starting point for negotiation.

Do you still have children at the nursery, as obviously this will play a part on how you decide to proceed.

unholyangel

ldw10977 wrote: »

I have been hit with a bill for over £500 for nursery fees underpaid for three months from Sept09 till Dec09. This is despite the fees being paid by direct debit (where the nursery controls the amount) and despite during that period, the nurseries direct debit procedure failing (they then caught up with payments in one go - you would assume they would have checked the amount then, but catch up was also on wrong amount). The fee structure is hard to work out - 1 child on rates from 2007 with tax voucher for being aged 3 and discount for having a 2nd child there. 2nd child is on charge scale from 2009 - needless to say very confusing.
As I have no way of accuately challenging the nurseries calculations, does anyone know whether I am required to pay the shortfall as obviously not my error. I have also claimed a set amount for child care costs for working tax credits, and it is now too late to backdate these and get extra credits.. In other words I have to pay the whole amount.
I am sure this is not fair and as nurseries error they are responsible.... thoughts appreciated please

As advised, ask for a detailed breakdown of the costs. As for the direct debit, did the payment fail or confirm? Also, how were they informing you of the amount due each month? Were they giving you a bill? Did the amounts match the amounts of the direct debits?

ldw10977

Thanks for both replies so far.

I have had a summary so far - Overall cost, versus paid, and then showing underpayment. I will see if they can provide more.

My children are still at the nursery, but due to leave in September, so not long. This is in theory how error was discovered. The nursery reviewed records to ensure payments correct.

We had a fairly relaxed agreement with the nursery due to my wife having dealt with them for circa 8 to 10 years (used to be a nanny so looked after children that also went to that nursery) Therefore never had an official invoice just verbal. Just a running flexible agreement, hence why I had no idea of wrong payments.

With regards to Direct Debit failing. This was an error at the nursery end, not due to my account not having funds etc. All direct debits for all parents failed. Some paid by cheque each week, others like me waited (with nursery agreement) until direct debit recommenced.

Maybe next time, I will look at something more formal despite any existing "relationships"