cancelling nursery place - what will i owe them?

00michelle00

I am due to start my baby at nursery on thursday and had the first of 3 'settling in sessions'. I was unhappy after the session and didn't feel that the nursery was right for him. Can I pull him out now?

this is what their terms are;

'To register at the nursery, a non refundable fee of 40 pounds is payable, this does not guarantee a place will be available.'

(i have paid this fee but do not expect this back)

...'please complete the registration form... (which i have) ...and we will advise when a place is available. At the time of acceptance a fixed fee of £250 will be invoiced serperatley, as confirmation of entry and is payable on receipt. '

(i have received this invoice but not paid it)

'Once a place is confirmed, six weeks written notice is required if you wish to withdraw your child from the nursery. Fees are also payable if there is any delay in taking up the places once accepted'.

I received alot of paperwork today but have not filled any of it
out.

Where do i stand? is my place confirmed and so i have to give 6 weeks notice? or is it not confirmed until i pay the 250 - it says on the invoice that the 250 is to 'secure the place'.

any advice greatly appreciated.

michelle

KellsBells

Jeeze Michelle,

What sort of nursery is this???

I have never heard of a nursey charging you £250 to guarantee a place???!!!

You haven't accepted the place so the 250.00 should not be payable:

"At the time of acceptance a fixed fee of £250 will be invoiced serperatley"

Who's acceptence? Theirs or yours? Well, I beleive this shouldn't be payable, especially as it is extortionate!

00michelle00

i cant see anything which explains whether it is their acceptance or mine. I think it must be mine, and i would have to sign something to accept it, as otherwise they could just accept everyone and get alot of 250's!

michelle

Little_Miss_Winner

Hi Michelle,

If you were not happy, then don't accept a place. I would ring them on Monday and tell them you won't be attending the next 2 *settling in sessions*.

At the time of acceptance a fixed fee of £250 will be invoiced serperatley, as confirmation of entry and is payable on receipt.
I understand this means their acceptance of your baby....

Don't worry about the £250 that won't become payable as your'e not accepting a place.

Hugs
xx

Little_Miss_Winner

Sorry i missed this bit;-

Where do i stand? is my place confirmed and so i have to give 6 weeks notice? or is it not confirmed until i pay the 250 - it says on the invoice that the 250 is to 'secure the place'.

No, you don't have to give any notice, as you haven't accepted anything yet.
Your'e place hasn't been confirmed. As you haven't paid the £250 to accept the place!
(and i don't blame you, this Nursery sounds like it's nothing more than a money-making business!!)

vikingaero

My little one is at nursery and the T&Cs seem fairly common. I think you need to clarify whether to £250 fee is a part payment towards the first months fees.

It sounds to me that if the nursery, in March, say that mini-michelle can start nursery on 1st May as a place will become vacant, then you pay £250 to secure this place from when you accept in March. If you fail to take up this place then the £250 will be forfeited and in addition fees may be payable.

It sounds money-making but you have to remember that the highest cost of a nursery are its staff. The staff/children ratios are very strictly enforced by legislation. I'm not sure of what they are but it's something like 1/3 for babies, 1/10 for 2 year olds and higher the older the children are. It may be that the nursery in offering the extra place has employed a new member of staff; but with your withdrawal this would lead to a net loss or unviability which is why notice periods are always stated by nurseries - you can't sack nursery staff at will.