Nursery fees over christmas

Janepig

We've been using the same nursery for three years now (firstly DD, now DS) and they charge for the week they are closed between Christmas and New year, but this is set out (along with other things) in the contract you sign when you get your place. It's an excellent nursery with a huge waiting list (DS only got in by virtue of DD being there, although she's not there now) and we pay £324 per month for Mon/Tue/Wed, so I feel it's worth it to retain the place.

However, some posters have made a good point that you'd think perhaps they would open between Christmas and new year. Most offices are open, together with hospitals/shops, etc.... and also at least in the nursery we use the majority of staff are fairly young and have no children (neither would I if I looked after other people's all day) so may not be bothered about working Christmastime - I know I was always in work over Christmas before I had kids.

Jxx

haleyhop

Janepig wrote:

We've been using the same nursery for three years now (firstly DD, now DS) and they charge for the week they are closed between Christmas and New year, but this is set out (along with other things) in the contract you sign when you get your place. It's an excellent nursery with a huge waiting list (DS only got in by virtue of DD being there, although she's not there now) and we pay £324 per month for Mon/Tue/Wed, so I feel it's worth it to retain the place.

However, some posters have made a good point that you'd think perhaps they would open between Christmas and new year. Most offices are open, together with hospitals/shops, etc.... and also at least in the nursery we use the majority of staff are fairly young and have no children (neither would I if I looked after other people's all day) so may not be bothered about working Christmastime - I know I was always in work over Christmas before I had kids.

Jxx

i am a nursery nurse and work at a fantastic nursery which has a huge waiting list, and yes only a few staff have children, but i can assure you that all of us are bothered to be the only nursery in our area open over christmas and new year!!! we have families and partners who we would rather be at home with at this time of the year!!
we understand that parents too have to work at this time, so we have to be open, but what we do is send a letter out to parents asking what days their children will be in over this period, then when we get the dates back we can work out our rotas to give staff extra holidays.
this may sound like a good solution but all i got out of it this year is that i get to finish at 4pm one day instead of 7pm!!!!!
so i really dont know what the solution is but i dont think parents should be charged if the nursery is not providing a service!

highland

Hi jacksonsmum
Don't you get any help with childcare cost's from Child Tax Credits? I know that's not the issue but if you are struggling they can pay up to 80% depending on your income. hth

curlytoast

Hi there

after reading the posts here im glad i dont put my son in a nursery!
He goes to a childminder and she is closed from 22nd dec- 2nd jan, but is not charging for this time, which is good because its extra money for me, although she does usually charge for bank holidays.

tee_pee_2

Bit off the topic but I am so pleased I wanted to post it. My dd had her first nativity play today, she is only 22mths she was a sheep and she cried when she saw her grandma ( not me though- typical!) but i was sooooo proud.

End of diversion