Children's Nursery revoke placement 8 months after deposit paid

whooshpocket

Hi There

My wife and I had a baby girl on 14th March 2016 and registered her with a local childcare nursery on 31st May 2016 to start on the 20th March 2017 paying a placement deposit in the process.

Today (8 weeks before our daughter's start date) we received a phone call from the nursery informing us that the previous nursery manager has been fired for over allocating placements?! And that our daughter no longer has a a place

We are now desperate and I am wondering where we stand legally?

Is there any kind of action that can be taken against the nursery given we have paid money for a placement almost 9 months ago?

Any advice would be most welcome.

Many Thanks
A very stressed out dad.

Guest101

Not with 8 weeks notice.


The best you could hope for is they help you find another place

LilElvis

They should, of course, be refunding your deposit.

whitewing

I'm wondering if the local health visitor would know what it going on exactly (our health visitor used to visit the nursery to see how the children were getting on).

It may be that once things have settled there will a space as other parents may react emotionally. But you would have to be confident that it is a one-off problem rather than one in a series of indications that it is poor management.

pinkshoes

In the contract for the nursery, what is the notice period that they have to give if they want to terminate the place?

My childminder did this to me and I had 3 weeks before returning to work and 8 month old twins!!

kathrynha

The local council should be able to give you a list of local childcare providers. Try looking at childminders. They are more likely to have a space, due to the smaller numbers they look after, and the flexibility they offer.
Sorting out the child care is the first priority, then you can work on getting your deposit back

whooshpocket

Thank you so much for all the help everyone, my wife are in on-going chats with a number of local nurseries and child minders so things are looking a bit more positive now and a LOT let stressful

Looks like we may get a nursery placement elsewhere after we explained our situation as another family moved away from the area leaving a slot free.

Thanks you so much
Less stressed Dad