Cancelling nursery place during "settling in" period

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Personally I would call their bluff. If I were them, I'd certainly not want an irate parent standing outside my business handing out leaflets referring to potential misconduct or worse. I certainly would not want that in the local papers nor pasted all over the internet. Absolutely I would not want OFSTED involved and we are only talking a couple of hundred pounds here.

They may bluster but they probably have a standard off the shelf contract. In some ways, it may be unfair. I know my child's dance classes have something similar but they want a term clear notice. If I was upset enough to withdraw my child I would not give that a second's thought. The industry is simply trying to shift the risk of business from the provider to the consumer.

As you are in a probationary phase so to speak, I would also argue that you should be abel to withdraw.

I'd talk to them but not back down but I'd be prepared to do something about it to defend my poisiotn. If you are not so willing, you risk having your bluff called.

choccymoose

moomoomama27 wrote: »

If that's the case I'd contact ofsted, and that should alter the contract you signed with them.

This will not alter the contract in any way, otherwise people would do this all the time to get out of paying bills causing Ofsted to become overwhelmed with the amount of dubious complaints that come in.

However if you have a genuine concern about children's welfare within the nursery then deal with that seperately from the money issue, do not bring it into the complaint to Ofsted.

With regards the money issue it would be around the fact a place has been held for your child for that time, staff rotas done etc. I know that doesnt help you but as others have said check their policy and terms and conditions carefully.

please ignore typos had a bad night sleep

Sambucus_Nigra

What's the point of a settling in period if it is not
a - different to the usual terms and conditions and
b - a chance to [at the end] decide whether it is right or not?

If they haven't stipulated that the terms and conditions are different for this period then I'd walk away and not pay them a penny more. As the actual period of 'after settling in' hasn't kicked in then the stated terms and conditions don't apply, surely?

onlyroz

It seems like a lot of fuss to make for the sake of a few hundred pounds.

emsywoo123

onlyroz wrote: »

It seems like a lot of fuss to make for the sake of a few hundred pounds.

Wow. :eek:

emsywoo123

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

What's the point of a settling in period if it is not
a - different to the usual terms and conditions and
b - a chance to [at the end] decide whether it is right or not?

If they haven't stipulated that the terms and conditions are different for this period then I'd walk away and not pay them a penny more. As the actual period of 'after settling in' hasn't kicked in then the stated terms and conditions don't apply, surely?

This is very much my thoughts, but as there are no separate terms I think I'm stuffed

**curlywurly**

I have PM'd you.

jackyann

I think that there are 2 issues here - OP really wanted to know about contractual rights etc.
But those of us who know about childcare have got concerned about the safety / reporting to Ofsted side.
OP: I would tackle these issues separately, if you can bear to.
I would certainly consider contacting your local Early Years Information service (or similar, they are called different things in different areas) and do the following:
anonymously if you wish, describe the incident and ask their opinion about the practice
ask for information about childcare providers and what the standard T&Cs are

FBaby

I think the T&C might not meet the requirements for nursery care. The fact that it states that you are liable for the full month fee +rest of the current month's payment FROM the moment THEY accept your application doesn't seem legal, especially if they indeed offer a settling period, which indeed by definition means you are checking that your child is ok and whether you want to start the placement. The common T&C states that you put a deposit, and you are liable to lose it if you don't take the place. This deposit has to be reasonable.

I would definitely contact the consumer standard and ask for their advice.

emsywoo123

FBaby wrote: »

I would definitely contact the consumer standard and ask for their advice.

I will do, I see that the lines are open Mon-Fri 9-5 so I will have to wait to then