Nursery 'educational supplement' payments

GobbledyGook

It should be voluntary and they should be happy with any contribution you are willing to make, if you are willing to make one.

They are simply trying to cover the cost between what they are given for the 'free' hours and what they would charge if they could. It's one of the reasons some private nurseries won't participate in the scheme because they won't cover their costs with the government grant. Lots that do ask for a top up seem to aim very high. The nursery my girls went to asked for £60 a week on top as, according to the manager, most people paid half of the voluntary contribution.

AnnaLicious_2

They cannot do this. There are legal conditions to this grant, which specify this is a free entitlement.

On your council's website, look for the Early Years Entitlement team contact details and raise this with them. It's important they know this is happening.

If this happened in the LA here they would lose their funding.

shellsuit

GobbledyGook wrote: »

It should be voluntary and they should be happy with any contribution you are willing to make, if you are willing to make one.

They are simply trying to cover the cost between what they are given for the 'free' hours and what they would charge if they could. It's one of the reasons some private nurseries won't participate in the scheme because they won't cover their costs with the government grant. Lots that do ask for a top up seem to aim very high. The nursery my girls went to asked for £60 a week on top as, according to the manager, most people paid half of the voluntary contribution.

It's not just for the nursery, it's for the primary school and most probably the junior school also.

It's not private either, it's a state nursery/school.

littleemmie

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Our eldest (3) begins 'free' nursery next September, and we just had a fun letter through the door. They would like £420 a term to 'uphold their high educational standards'. This is a state nursery school (although it is a faith school) which is linked to a primary school. The details of what this pays for are rather vague in the letter.

Has anyone had experience of this?

Will your child just be doing the 15 hours of Free Entitlement per week, or will they be doing additional hours? If just 15 (or less) the nursery cannot charge you any additional fees - the Free Entitlement should be free at the point of delivery and no 'top up' fees or ways of getting a top up fee (which it sounds like this is) are allowed.

If your child is accessing additional services however, such as additional hours or lunch, the nursery can charge you extra for these. You should have the option of taking a healthy packed lunch instead if you do not want to pay for the nursery lunch.

Contact your local Family Information Service - they will be able to advice your further and investigate for you if you are still not happy.

thegirlintheattic

When I was at school there was a maintenance contribution of £150 because it was a church school.

Is it possible that the £450 is a combination of extra hours, lunches, security, extra lessons and maintenance? All those things on their own might be small but could easily add up.

I'd write a letter saying you cannot afford the extra money but would be happy to contribute something. That way you don't pay the huge amount but the school doesn't think your tight (I know this is not going to be a popular opinion on here.)

madison-nyc

wow , my kids go to a church school and i would be shocked if we were asked to pay such a large amount! the fact that they are a church school means that they get more money from the church to maintain the school etc. doesn't it? mine does so school trips are subsidised etc. It costs enough for all the trips , raffles , charity auctions , cake days , bottle days etc. not a week goes by without me sending in a couple of pounds for this that and the other. How can a state school ask for 'fees' may aswell make it a private school , very naughty as a lot of parents will just pay it to save face.

cottonhead

Wow I have never heard of that and it seems very steep. If they were saving for something in particular I could understand asking for a donation but not that much. I have heard of some PTA's asling parents to consider setting up a direct debit but its for a far smaller ammount and it is voluntary. Most extra stuff is pais for as and when needed - ie trips or by fundraising through the home to school association. Why the sudden increase anyway ? Did they say what is suddenly costing them more ?

peachyprice

OP, are you in Redbridge?

[Deleted User]

Nope, Hertfordshire

pleasedelete

Does it cover more than 15 hours and include additional Jewish studies?
Does it include food?
I think most Jewish schools ask for a gift aided donation. Are there security guards at the school? How are they funded?

It seems high but paying is usual in Jewish schools. You need to find out what it covers. You cant be asked to pay for the 15 hours but if it is for extra then they can but you can opt out of the extras.

A Jewish school would usually be voluntary aided .