The Increbible Increasing Nursery Fee

BernadetteN

I have had 3 children attend the same nursery and the 4th is due to start in September. I have picked and changed the days of attendance many times over the years and have got the hours I wanted every time but once (when I had to wait a few weeks to get the hours requested). There are NO registration fees. The owner gives me 10% DISCOUNT for payment in full at the beginning of each term. The current charges are £10 for a 3 1/2 hour session, £3.50 for lunch hour, or £22 per 8 hour day (2 * 3 1/2 hour sessions plus 1 hour lunch). The nursery also accepts childcare vouchers so our nursery bill reduces even further, by over 30%. There are only 5 nurseries in Dover and this gets the best "good" OFSTED rating but even without its report, there is only one other nursery that comes close in terms of standard of care, facilities and price.

If our children's nursery were to suddenly change hands and new owners started charging registration fees, no longer gave prompt payment discounts etc, I would have our child out of there.

Is there really no alternative to this nursery? It would not just be the charges I would be worried about but the complete change in ethos that would go along with it - that the nursery is a profit making enterprise before a place of care for young children.

1012donna

As has been said I would speak to the Early Years Partnership. I have worked with them in the past and they will keep you right. I disagree with the £50 - registration fee. £50 to fill out a form - I don't think so. The late collection fee does seem steep (the child's carer won't be getting paid £60 an hour or anything like it) but I can see where they're coming from.

Morty_007

It all seems a bit steep to me Mabboo. Depending on how much time your child needs to spend in child care, (i.e if not much) I may have an idea that could help. Don't think I can post the URL here so PM me if you would like some details. Their costs are quite high but they are exceedingly flexible and they are who my child will be going to when I have to go back to work a year after he/she is born. (I'm not affiliated to them or anything, just really like the way they work)

Hope this helps
Morty
x

astonsmummy

I had to pay £35 registration fee to secure ds nursery place, but to charge you when your child already attedns is taking the mick,

Orginally posted by BernadetteN
The current charges are £10 for a 3 1/2 hour session, £3.50 for lunch hour, or £22 per 8 hour day (2 * 3/2 hour sessions plus 1 hour lunch).

OMG i pay £33 for 6 hours a day, he goes 4 days a week so thats £132 per week (although i pay £26.40 of that)

kitchpoo

andycarmi wrote:

Hi Mabboo points 2 and 3 in your post are the "norm" at nurseries!!!

Really??? I must have a good nursery...I don't pay for any sessions he miss and there certainly was no registration/joining fee!!

This is my first child, therefore my first nursery experience. They are fantastic....I must have found a gem!!

Janepig

Ours is going up to £28 per day (8am-6pm, pick ups any time between those hours) as of next month, at the moment I pay £324 per month for a three day week. Notice of fee increase is by a note on the door, same as the OP, but reading some of the other posts on here I think our nursery seems pretty good.

I can't believe some people would collect their children outside of the opening hours though. Does that really happen? I was stuck in Court afew weeks ago and couldn't get hold of DH so I ended up picking DS up at five to 6 and I was in a right flap. I rang ahead also to say I would be "late". Anyway, he was ready and waiting when I got there (very flustered as I was) but there was no problem and I was told I shouldn't have panicked and it was okay to be a bit late if it couldn't be helped and that she'd rather me get there in one piece than drive like a lunatic (as I did!!). But surely if they close at 6pm then you must get there before then!!

Jxx

Rachie_B

BernadetteN wrote:

Is there really no alternative to this nursery? It would not just be the charges I would be worried about but the complete change in ethos that would go along with it - that the nursery is a profit making enterprise before a place of care for young children.

I agree

andyrules

I think janepig and andycarmi make very fair points. If you are late, ie outside sgreed hours then there should be a charge. A shop can close at, eg, 5.30 regardless of whether you have finished your shopping - but a nursery can hardly close its doors leaving a little one in the street! Someone has to wait, and it's fair to pay.

Most businesses and organisations charge either 'late' fees, or disguise it by having an early payment 'discount'.

As for not attending a session - those who are NOT charged are very lucky, round here that's been the norm for many years. I believe that's applied to most services - for instance if your child has music lessons and doesn't turn up then you pay, that's surely fair.

Rachie_B

andyrules wrote:

I think janepig and andycarmi make very fair points. If you are late, ie outside sgreed hours then there should be a charge. A shop can close at, eg, 5.30 regardless of whether you have finished your shopping - but a nursery can hardly close its doors leaving a little one in the street! Someone has to wait, and it's fair to pay.

Most businesses and organisations charge either 'late' fees, or disguise it by having an early payment 'discount'.

As for not attending a session - those who are NOT charged are very lucky, round here that's been the norm for many years. I believe that's applied to most services - for instance if your child has music lessons and doesn't turn up then you pay, that's surely fair.

yes thats the norm for childminders too for example

You cannot fill a place at such short notice so it needs to be paid.

Rachie_B

andyrules wrote:

I think janepig and andycarmi make very fair points. If you are late, ie outside sgreed hours then there should be a charge. A shop can close at, eg, 5.30 regardless of whether you have finished your shopping - but a nursery can hardly close its doors leaving a little one in the street! Someone has to wait, and it's fair to pay.

Most businesses and organisations charge either 'late' fees, or disguise it by having an early payment 'discount'.

As for not attending a session - those who are NOT charged are very lucky, round here that's been the norm for many years. I believe that's applied to most services - for instance if your child has music lessons and doesn't turn up then you pay, that's surely fair.

yes thats the norm for childminders too for example

You cannot fill a place at such short notice so it needs to be paid.