2nd Lockdown & Nursery Fees

CharlesP123

Hi all, first time poster here.
I need some advice with the second lockdown about to begin please.

We use a Nursery for school pick ups. Having already booked in the November hours we have received a bill for £350 which I haven't yet paid. When the second lockdown was announced, it became clear that my partner would be off work and we wouldn't therefore need the November hours.

I have politely approached them to explain that with our now reduced earnings due to my partner not working, we simply couldn't afford a service that we no longer needed, especially on the run up to Christmas. They have stated that we would have to pay the full amount as they had 'turned down other children' (I believe this to be untrue as we have never been refused hours in 2+ years).

Is there anything I can do under these circumstances? Are there any exceptions under consumer law? I am hoping to resolve it under good will but need a back up plan...

Thrugelmir

What does you contract say?  That will determine what the nursey is entitled to charge you for. 

Mrsn

Unlike last time nurseries and childminders are allowed to remain open to all children and not just to key workers so the service can still be provided. This is think is going to be your sticking point...

Whether you believe their answer to whether they’ve received enquires isn’t relevant. They may or may not have. Your contract I’m assuming requires childcare to be paid upfront from the way you have described things?

You mention wanting to resolve this under good will. I understand why you feel you wouldn’t want to pay for a service that you don’t wish to use because of your personal circumstances but look at this from the point of view of the nursery. Good will on their part (and that would be a massive amount by the way) isn’t going to pay staff wages, electricity, Insurance’s etc. 

Check the contract you have signed but I fully expect you have to little to no options. Sorry I appreciate that sounds blunt, Non payment of fees will usually trigger some sort of collection process to recover the money and the chance your child’s place will be terminated.

firsttimetom

How much do you value that particular nursery?

Because if you don’t pay, they won’t have you back.

Bare in mind that they will have already rota’d in staff etc for November so have costs to bare themselves even if you pull out.

I would attempt some sort of negotiation - ask if you could reduce it to say £200 / £250 and send your child in for less days.

Just telling them you’re not paying and that’s that, isn’t likely to win you any friend’s and neither is it likely to work depending on the contract. Remember, that their income stands to be affected too.

mattyprice4004

Offer to go halves, but ultimately they're willing to provide the contracted service, you just don't want it.

They hold all the cards.