Fiona Peart

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If Farrah Sharif, 30, was told she would have to continue to pay 80% of the two-year hold-old son to the Kindergarten fees, its place in The Coming months, she was confused.

Like millions of other parents they already, him out of their East London the nursery had policies because of the government, so that they do not feel they should pay nothing.

"We have asked whether the application for the government's worker-retention System and The Other for financial support, but they were really unclear.

"Many parents complained and She Said she would drop the charges by 40%, but we was always feeling not that right. So we said we would check the numbers for March, And Then The Situation . "

To their surprise, the kids room by E-Mail you back and said it was her son Zayn from the register was, which suggests that she was ungrateful.

"I was really excited, I felt that my son was punished for something beyond his control," she says.

Since the 21. March, UK nurseries were only allowed to serve The Children of key people, so that many closed almost empty, and force, some temporarily.

But some parents are still asked to pay some or all of your monthly fees as a retainer to hold your child's place, with invoices stretch to More Than £1,000 in some cases.

'Mad'

the kindergartens Say that it is, because you have to fight. As a small company, you can access the government of Coronavirus Job Retention System, which covers 80% of the workers salary, if you are set on paid leave, as well as a one-year business rates holiday. But many Say that is not enough.

to Say But while some parents are happy to pay, Others - especially those who lost jobs or face financial Uncertainty - to Say the price is to endure a lot.

Ashleigh Seymour, 26, from Romsey says that she is "evil" to pay a 30% retainer to hold your three-year-old son, Hunter's place, the setting, the your back More Than £200 per month.

"We both have gym memberships, but the gyms are closed and you do not expect them to keep paying for a service you do not provide can. I don't see why The Burden falls on the parents. "

It is a bad time, when Her Husband , who runs his own Limited Company , has seen his income totally dry, and get little support from the government.

But she says that you have to pay as "it is impossible" to get a full-time kindergarten place, where she lives.

Fiona Peart , 37, from London, would not mind to keep the post a bit, her two-year-old's place, but not The 100 % you asked, what are you About £800 per month.

"All My Friends have asked for between 0% and 20%, and some friends to a refund received for The Last week in March, if your kindergartens were closed. We can't afford it, but is not ideal.

"My husband has been reduced to the hours, and Who Knows if we will have jobs in a few months?"

"We will lose money'

But Caroline Mark, the runs, First Steps nursery in Poole, says the criticism is unfair.

"state funding problems, large business rates, minimum wage, employer pensions, rising food and fuel costs are all very detrimental to the industry and many kindergartens in the vicinity, the sustainability threshold," She Said .

"We have suggested that our customers pay 25% in fees advance if you are able to afford to help keep us above water, until normal service is resumed will. "

Another Nursery Owner , who said, the loading process 40%, she is "on loss" by remaining open to the seven key worker children.

"put simply, if the parents contribute anything towards nursery fees, we would have to close.

"The combined rent, the cost of other overheads such as garbage collection (not to suspend The Service ), and personnel costs for these children mean that we will lose money. "

kindergartens closed, all except for the weaker children and those with a parent identified as a key worker

The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), which for the industry, says that the "vast majority" of the nurseries are not loaded, and the parents during the shutdown, and those who do not have other choice.

He says, many still have to pay the costs, and the shortfall in Personal income. Only a few can claim to virus-losses on their insurance, either.

"tree schools is crucial to the key workers and the disadvantaged children are now, as always, for the support of The Children , so we need to says you staffed and operational," chief Purnima Tanuku OBE.

"to pay, you need to be able to your employees, to ensure continuity, if this comes to rest. "

Some parents have said that you pay for the rails, while Others have successfully continued to secure discounts.

the attorneys Say that parents have a lot of influence, because they can threaten to withdraw their children, however, the legal picture is unclear.

Private nurseries that supply the majority of the rules in the UK, set their own terms and conditions and can. emergency-closure of the clauses in their contracts

'Not

But the NDNA tested says'that these are designed for things to do in the vicinity of the nursery for a few days such as fire, flood and vandalism, and "not tested" in a situation that could last for weeks or months.

last week, Layla Moran , the Liberal Democrat MP for West Oxford and Abingdon, urged the government to offer more financial support, has forced some parents "unnecessary hardship".

A Department For Education spokesman said: "We expect to take that kindergartens, a reasonable and proportionate approach to fees from parents, in the light of these unexpected circumstances, and communicate agreements clearly to the parents. "

He added: "We Are not able to continue to Finance, the you are for The Free privileges for the duration of these closures, even if The Children present. We also have a significant package of financial support. "

coronavirus lockdown measures, coronavirus pandemic, childcare, nurseries

Source of news: bbc.com