Really pi**ed off at Daycare!

Please tell me if I am over-reacting, or if they are in the right here...

Ok so a bit of background - Jack was diagnosed with a bone infection and was in hospital for just over a week on IV, but we came home mid last week. When he was first admitted to hospital I rang his daycare (he goes twice a week) to say he would be away for between 2-6 weeks, but seeing as we continue to pay for his spot, I'll just let them know when he comes back. Today could have been his first day back, I've been confident with his recovery (he's fine just got to take the oral AB's now) so rang them this morning (forgot on Friday) to say he would be in. The reply I got has left me fuming!

'oh, um, well he can come in today if you really want him to and he's had clearance (he has btw) but he can't come for his Thursday session because I've already given his spot to someone wanting a casual session. Seeing as the mother has already paid for it there's nothing I can do'.

Um hello? We pay in advance and don't get a rebate if the kid is sick yet it's OK for them to play on that by taking our money and then *assuming* Jack will be away (she told me I said he wouldn't be back for 6 weeks - I didn't) and charge a casual member! Plus they don't even do casual arrangements anyway as I've asked before. I think it's really rude that Jack, who has been permanent for nearly a year and will go to fulltime next year with #2, has been bumped and his spot for this week given to some random kid with no attempt to apologise or make things right for us.

I've just read over the contract and nowhere does it say that if a kid is away they have the right to give their space up and then refuse for the first kid to attend. It only says that as long as you pay your fees on time (which we do) that your spot will remain open.

Now this will be my third week off work in a row and I have to make that time up somehow. Luckily I have flexible hours and can work at night but that means I'm going to be working about 3 hours a night for the next few weeks as well as my day shifts as of next week to make up for it.

Sorry for the ramble, but am I over-reacting or are they completely in the wrong here? I'm thinking of complaining about it as I was just a bit shell-shocked this morning so didn't say much. Also because WINZ pays most of Jack's DC costs and I only got a medical certificate until this week we may have to make up for that day that he can't go ourselves even though there's no way we can do anything about it. It just doesn't seem right?

Had I known they would even CONSIDER giving his spot away to a casual member and not let him attend I would have just rang them every day he had to go into daycare and inform them he wasn't coming, instead of doing the *right* thing by informing them of his condition and how long it could be that he wasn't attending. Seems like they're just trying to screw everyone out of money and don't actually care about my son at all

I would definitely complain if you still have to pay then its sooo not on and would certainly have given them a piece of my mind. Give them hell I think its soo wrong they charge you even if your child is off sick anyway i understand why but i still dont think its right.

Write to fair go if you have to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that's completely wrong of them.. and yes you are totally within your rights as Emma said..that is totally shocking..and to do that is one thing but to say that he cant come because they have done it.. and to refuse you casual and then do it as well....

I would be so freaking angry and would lay a complaint if they don't take him.

everyone has said what I would of said - IF they can not take Jack then they should give your money back. BUT it shoulld be you who have had the first choice of the time - its not like its thursday yet either. Did you say in writing that jack woul dbe away 6 weeks? thing is if he was then care has to be stopped and started back up when he gets back (well under my understanding) but they took your money so you are paying like he was there. I would demand they have him (if thats what you want) cause you have the right to....

let us know how you go..............

Argh Emz how annoying, like you havent had enough to deal with?? I would probably go down there rather than try and deal with them over the phone and reiterate that you paid in advance and expected his place to be kept open.  Not really good enough IMO!!  Good luck, hope they are accomodating!

Playing the devils advocate...
I'm not by any means saying they are right in this situation but...

It may have something to do with funding and staff ratios etc. I know that paying the same amount whether you are there or not is unfair, but it may be they can only claim for the children who are actually present in any one session. So although you are paying in advance, by keeping your spot open they may be out of pocket a little?

So if they were under the impression that you were away for at least two weeks, then maybe they were trying to get a little bit of that back by the casual booking, and from the week after you'll be set to go?

I've had it explained to me before but I can't remember all of the technicalities. You may find that this daycare isn't alone in that respect though, but I may be entirely wrong.

It would be worth going in and booking a time to have a chat to them, I doubt it means they care any less about your son :)

Bobbie I'm not sure your suggestion would work - it may just cause bad blood and he'll be sent home anyway because of licensing restrictions?

Edited by Flake

flake not sure exactly but you are probably right about the funding but bobbie is right....you can't get paid twice for the same spot I'm pretty sure... so they are getting two lots of pay for one child and I'm pretty sure you will find that is against something.....!

I won't be taking him on Thursday as I don't really want a confrontation, I'm going to bring it up with Jack's carer as she's quite lovely.

If you don't go to care for 6 weeks (and don't pay) then of course your place isn't kept for you, but seeing as we have a medical reason and a medical certificate stating that he was away and WINZ had even accepted to pay for him up to 6 weeks if need be then its pretty off. And also I said he would be away for at least 2 weeks and then I'd update them (meaning today) - this is week 3 yet they have still booked out his spot. Apparently though he's 'fine to come on Monday as his spots are open then'. WTF? I'm quite gutted as it's given me a sour taste of an underhanded practice (charging twice for one spot - probably cos they know WINZ pays most of it) because otherwise this place is fantastic.

And no I can't go anywhere else unfortunately - all the places in our area have at least 18 month waiting lists would you believe and have crappy opening hours.

Think I will just have to bite the bullet and come Monday, have a chat with his carer (as she will probably feel terrible about it as she loves Jackson) and ask her to pass on my concerns to the director (who to be honest is not the most friendly person - she definitely runs the place like a shop rather than a daycare).

Thanks for making me feel like I had a reason to be angry - I couldn't even have a nap today I was so worked up

Well, I would be fluming about that. I think it is very dishonest to be paid twice for one spot but I would take your concerns straight to the director. If you and Jackson get a long with your carer you don't really want to put her in an difficult position and risk causing tension there. If you find the director a difficult person to approach you could always put your concerns in writing.

Totally agree with your anger, hun.

My main POV is that he should have "first dibs" on that spot. He's been a long-term permanent child there and he should have absolute preference.

If it were me, I'd be writing a letter of complaint - or getting DH to ring and yell at her as I'm too shy (or have no balls, so to speak).

Good luck