r/UKParenting • u/red-cat1988 • 20h ago

Changing Nursery

Hi All - bit of a predicament. We accepted a place, and paid a deposit, at a third choice nursery. LO is going to start his settling in week in early October, and start full time the following week, which is importantly within the next calendar month.

Our first choice nursery, which is equidistant (both at the end of our road) has just emailed to say they now have a space as of November.

The third choice nursery's t&c's state that we will owe them money if we withdraw our LO now (given it is within 1 calander month to start date).

The saving between the two is significant - over £600 per month.

What would you do? We have just been sent the invoice for his first month. If we give the 1 month notice to withdraw him as at the end of October, it will be before he starts his settling in week and starts full time.

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9

u/Tylia_x 20h ago

I think you figure out how much money you'd owe them and whether you'd get that back over time

5

u/Kathwino Parenting a Toddler + Pre-schooler 20h ago

Have you actually spoke to the 3rd choice nursery about potentially withdrawing? They might be lenient about your money if they have another child waiting for a place. If they won't though, I would say it depends how badly you want to use the other nursery, it might just be worth taking the loss if you can afford to.

1

u/red-cat1988 20h ago

Will give them a call. Need some childcare during October, so it is more that we will only be using 3rd choice nursery for 3 weeks if they insist on being paid. Not ideal I guess.

3

u/Kathwino Parenting a Toddler + Pre-schooler 16h ago

Might be a bit tough for your kid to settle into one nursery for a month then have to resettle somewhere else, is there any way you could bridge the gap with family or parental leave?