Nursery not refunding what they owe us

sleepyhappy

HI there, looking for some advice about how to go about this....

My son left a nursery in March, which we paid using childcare voucher scheme. Unfortunately due to some errors the vouchers kept going to the old nursery and not the new one, and so they now have a credit on our account of around £900. We also paid a deposit of £50 which we are also due to be sent back to us.

I have spoken to them on a number of occasions, its a big national company with lots of nurseries, and while they are very pleasant, and promise to send the money back to the voucher company (so we can use it at the new nursery), and refund the deposit, it just never materialises.

Having just had yet another conversation with someone about this, Im wondering what the next step is to retrieve this money.

Just to be clear, in case anyone isn't familiar with childcare vouchers, they are deducted from our pay before tax.

Hoping someone can help - was wondering, is small claims court our next step, or is there something we should do before this?

Many thanks

sabz3008

Before taking anything to small claims, you must make sure that you've taken all reasonable steps and made all reasonable efforts to sort the problem out between yourself and the nursery. You're probably best off writing them a letter giving them seven days to refund your money / send vouchers back. If then they still do not pay up nor respond, then download a small claims issue form which is available on HMC's website, fill it out and send it to them offering them a further seven days to repay , if they don't - THEN submit the claim.

If it does get to issuing the claim, don't worry - it's a very easy process and it's probably easiest to use Money Claim online at moneyclaim.gov.uk. If you are on a low income, or any benefits then you may be entitled to apply for a remission, otherwise the fee for issuing a claim online is £70 or is £75 to issue a claim at a court.

Good luck

wealdroam

sabz3008 wrote: »

...the fee for issuing a claim online is £70 or is £75 to issue a claim at a court.

Just to add that when/if you win your court case the defendant pays that fee too.

sabz3008

wealdroam wrote: »

Just to add that when/if you win your court case the defendant pays that fee too.

And interest at 8% too, should you wish to claim for that.

sleepyhappy

Thank you so much for the advice, Ill do what you've suggested. I cant work out whether they are just being a bit incompetent and not getting around to refunding me, or whether its an intentional thing. Either way, its frustrating!

Thanks again

System

i would send them a recorded delivery letter stating that if monies owed are not refunded by xx date you will be start a small claims case against them.
we lent a "friend" money and we had to threaten court before they paid us back.

sabz3008

CHRISSYG wrote: »

we lent a "friend" money and we had to threaten court before they paid us back.

You are awesome. :rotfl: