Day nursery fees

sjlbates

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel wrote: »

and childcare costs - I look at it this way.They were open for 10.5 hours a day and my children got:

Breakfast
Morning Snack
Lunch
Afternoon Snack
Tea

as well as being looked after. The cost was £36 a day - That's £3.60 an hour, and they did an outstanding job of looking after my kids when I wasn't able to because I had to work

that's a great deal, won't moan if it cost that much, I have to pay £53 a day!

Savvy_Sue

sjlbates wrote: »

The only thing it does state is 'We calculate your fees by multiplying the number of sessions you attend by 52 weeks and dividing it into 12 equal monthly payments'.

Given that it makes no mention of NOT charging for bank holidays and training days, I think they're covered. And you can argue if you like but I don't think you'll win. And as already stated, the alternative is to raise prices across the board, because all their staff are entitled to paid holidays (minimum 5.6 weeks a year) just like you are. And if they need to run a training day for all staff, then they'll have to pay all their staff to be there.

You'll probably find that you have to keep paying even if your child is unwell, or when you're on holiday - note that bit about '12 equal monthly payments'.

susancs

sjlbates wrote: »

Hi there

I have since looked at the terms and conditions and there is nothing that clearly states that parents would be charged for these holidays and training days (which they do I think 4 times a year during the week).

The only thing it does state is 'We calculate your fees by multiplying the number of sessions you attend by 52 weeks and dividing it into 12 equal monthly payments'.

Does this cover them? Can they really charge us for holidays when the nursery is closed (and we are off work so can look after our kids!) Is this the norm or can i go back to them and what should I say...?

I personally think it's ridiculous, fees are so expensive anyway, 3 days costs about the same as my monthly mortgage payments. Any thoughts?! Are they taking the P**S??

The condition in bold states that your fees will be your sessions, paid over 52 weeks. There is no reduction mentioned in relation to non attendance.

All Nurseries will charge for bank holidays, either by charging those who would normally attend the days or by having the costs built into their annual fee structure, so you pay more per hour all year round. When choosing childcare it is best to consider the annual costs of different providers as opposed to daily costs for eg. your nursery charges for bank holidays and another may not but both may charge a similar amount annually. Even when shut on bank holidays the Nursery will have cost such as staff wages, building rental or mortgage, insurances etc.

A lot of nurseries in my experience are busiest midweek and I wonder if this is because "canny" parents will realise that they will usually get a year round service if they avoid Mondays in particular.

Having said that, I do have a sympathy for parents who work on bank holidays and have to pay for childcare at t the nursery and elsewhere, as they are paying twice in effect. I think most Nurseries assume that parents will be paid for the bank holiday and be off or if they are self employed and off that they will have the bank holidays built into their fee structure.

susancs

sjlbates wrote: »

that's a great deal, won't moan if it cost that much, I have to pay £53 a day!

To put it in perspective you pay an extra 26p an hour towards all 8 bank holiday costs annually, if your child attends a full day of 10.5 hours for 3 days a week. £53X8, divided by 52 weeks and then divided by 3 days a week and 10.5 hours per day.

SmlSave

Yes it's normal

Originally Posted by sjlbates View Post
The only thing it does state is 'We calculate your fees by multiplying the number of sessions you attend by 52 weeks and dividing it into 12 equal monthly payments'

And this clause covers it.

duchy

Now you know why Mondays have better availability than other days of the week.

Rambosmum

Yes it's normal. If they don't charge for them they just add the cost to the other days so you pay one way or the other.

heuchera

Some parents jobs involve working bank holidays, so presumably the nursery is actually open on those days?


Can't understand how it's feasible to pay £53 per child per day or £1000 per month for childcare unless you're on a VERY high wage, to be honest.

GwylimT

heuchera wrote: »

Some parents jobs involve working bank holidays, so presumably the nursery is actually open on those days?


Can't understand how it's feasible to pay £53 per child per day or £1000 per month for childcare unless you're on a VERY high wage, to be honest.

No, some parents work xmas day, but it doesn't mean the nursery will be open.

tomtontom

heuchera wrote: »

Some parents jobs involve working bank holidays, so presumably the nursery is actually open on those days?


Can't understand how it's feasible to pay £53 per child per day or £1000 per month for childcare unless you're on a VERY high wage, to be honest.

In many cases it is not the parent that pays, it's the state in the form of tax credits.