Nursery fees

Hi all! My little boy will be starting nursery in September. Has a settling in session this Friday and then another one some time at the end of the month. I’m really confused about the funding though, he will be going for 5 hours on a tues and weds so not actually using all his funding per week of 15 hours. He will be attending term time only. The nursery said when I applied there’s an extras charge which covers food, activities etc but you can opt out of paying it as it’s a voluntary charge. So I emailed them a few weeks ago to say I wanted to opt out as money is tight for me and my partner. They said that was fine as it’s optional to pay. Anyway today I got an email from them saying the choice to opt out isn’t policy now… so I’ve got to pay the extras charge. I need to find out how much this is. I am a bit annoyed that they advertised this at the time of application and now saying I need to pay. Is this charge normal to pay? Do most nurseries do this? I feel like I shouldn’t have to pay because at the time I applied for him it was a voluntary charge!! Just looking for advice on this really. Thanks in advance 🙏🏻 xx

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A lot of nurseries charge extra for these things as the funded hours don't cover their costs. How they changed it isn't great but I imagine all parents will now need to pay as they can't have different rules for different people.

It’s very normal to pay for the extras as they aren’t getting paid for this.. money is tight for me as a single mum, I was worried about these extra cost but the money I was spending on her food for nursery, I wasn’t spending on my food shop so it kinda worked out! Also, the nursery my little one goes to provides great nutritional meals and snacks so I’m happy to pay as I think it’s worth it… they should have made it clear from the start.. xx

Our nursery is charging £2.97 per funded hour compared to the £7.92 the current hourly rate is. We then have to pay £1.75 for an evening meal. It’s pretty rubbish that they said it was voluntary and then changed their minds but it might just be the reality of them realising how they can cover their own costs etc

I've personally never heard charging for activities. I know some charge for food nappies nappy rash cream & sun cream. Pretty rubbish of them to announce it now thou. 🙄

We only pay for the hours outside of the free hours. Food, nappies, suncream and activities are included in the day price

My nursery charge £10 per day for meals and £2.50 per day for consumables (pens, paper, crayons, nappies etc etc). It is optional (although I pay as like another lady said the amount of food I was buying was the money I was saving and they provide fantastic healthy balanced meals). universal credit pay up to 85% of childcare costs for working parents, so if both of you work then claim through universal credit.

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