kindergarden charges? - Silkysteps early years forum

#1 05-08-2007, 11:23 AM

Please help?! Just taken my little boy back to kindergarden (playgroup) today after being very ill last week, & i've just been told that i have to pay for him while he's been off! Is this normal? I did ring them to inform them of his absence. Aparently this is also the case when we go on holiday, is this the norm? (he goes 3 mornings per week)
Would appeciate any advice.

Thanks loads!

Elaine

Miss Muffet · #2 05-08-2007, 01:34 PM

When I was looking into preschool options for my littlee, this was a standard part of every brochure. I suppose that the places wouldn't survive if they didn't have a guaranteed income! Sorry to be the bearer of not-so-good news! :sorry:

Chelltune · #3 05-08-2007, 02:10 PM

Yes, you have to pay when they are off. DD has just missed two sessions as she had chicken pox so that cost me £28 then DS had it so missed five sessions (his is less per session as he is over three). It was expensive for childcare yet I was stuck at home with them.

#4 05-08-2007, 02:54 PM

Thanks for the advice; at least i now know that it's not just the one he goes to. I'll have to get my purse at the ready tomorrow.
Cheers!
Elaine

#5 05-08-2007, 06:49 PM

we charge when people are off, even if we know as the staff are rostered to work and i cannot turn around to them and say you are not needed.

dont know of anywhere that does not charge when kids are ill, or on hoilday

suewhit · #6 05-08-2007, 06:53 PM

we also charge , years ago we didnt charge for illness or holidays it was really amazing how many times chidren could be ill or go on holiday. For a small set up it is necessary.
sue

Ruthierhyme · #7 05-08-2007, 07:03 PM

We always charged as well .. some parents simply didn't come in if they didn't want to and would say the children were ill as the reason, we had to get tough on policy & whilst that's not the case here, income/outgoing is so tight for the smaller groups they can't afford to let spaces go free for any reasons

charlotte1001 · #8 10-25-2010, 04:56 PM

Hey all, we also charge for holidays and child illness, this is because we have to keep the child's space still free. However parents are informed this on registration, we are also closed for 5 weeks of the year and this is not charged so we encourage parents to use these weeks for taking holidays. We also have a nits policy where parents are asked not to bring their children into nursery if they have nits but if this is the case we do try to offer a free session subject to availiabilty.

Heidi · #9 10-25-2010, 06:50 PM

We too charge for illness and holidays for the same reasons as all settings - viability.
Just as other settings, staff, rent and other costs have to be paid. That place/space is given to a child for their use whilst registered at the setting.

Once they are eligible for vouchers both the parent and setting does not lose out. We only charge for when we are open - term time. This is explained to parents when their child starts; it is also in our literature and the parent/setting contract.

Julie A · #10 09-15-2011, 07:30 PM

Hi

Where I work, parents are charged for all the sessions that they have registered for. We ask for the fees in advance for the half term. Staff, rent etc still has to be paid whether your child turns up or not.

Unfortunately, if your child is ill or you decide not to send them in that day, the session still has to be paid for.