An Edinburgh mum has questioned whether she is being "unreasonable" to ask for a refund from her child's nursery.
Taking to parenting forum Mumsnet, the woman revealed that she moved to Edinburgh earlier this year but her first-choice nursery had no funded places available at the time, and so she chose to put her daughter in for two days a week and pay privately.
After paying "£3500 upfront" for the year, she was informed by the nursery that a full-time funded place had become available. As a result, she was left unsure whether to ask for a refund of the money she had already paid.
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The mum wrote: "We stay in Edinburgh and all children in Scotland get free full time nursery places from aged 3 until they start school.
"We moved to the area in April and our first choice nursery had no funded places left so we opted to put our daughter in 2 days a week and pay privately (£3500 upfront for the year). We’ve been told a child is leaving in Oct and there will be a full time funded place. We’ve accepted.
"Am I unreasonable to expect a partial refund of what we’ve paid up front given that from Oct on her place will be paid for by the Scot Govt even though it’s already been paid (well 2 days a week ) by us. It seems that as it stands the nursery will be paid twice for the same service. I’m not sure how to bring this up with them without being ‘that parent’."
Before long, the post had received numerous responses from fellow Mumsnet users, and there were a range of opinions on the matter.
One argued: "Yes it would be good of them to refund you but if your contract says otherwise then it is what it is. Sounds like great news to be getting 250% of the hours you'd paid for!
"I hope you get some money back, but do-try and remember that you were so blown away by their nursery that you'd rather have paid for just 2 days than had 5 days funded elsewhere. You've not lost any money, you've gained a spot right at the top of their waiting list!"
A second wrote: "I would not have accepted a funded place without asking this first. Why did you accept a funded place when you already had a paid place? Surely the subject of finance must have raised itself at some point."
Others felt that the nursery should refund the money, with one stating: "I think you should ask for a refund as the Scottish Government funding should be covering all of your hours."
A second echoed: "That does sound strange then. If you are only using the 30 hours in terms time only then you should be refunded in my opinion."
"Thats very inclusive (not)," a third joked.
A fourth agreed: "Of course they should refund you for the days that will now be funded by the government. Asking about it will not make you “that parent”, you shouldn’t even have to ask."
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