After-school daycare says take the full Dasara programme or lose her regular seat

Ours did exactly this for the summer break. We paid for the whole thing and used about half. Annoying, but keeping the regular spot mattered more to us than the money. Did they put it in writing or just say it at pickup?

I would ask them directly what "can't promise" means. Is there an actual waiting list for the regular after-school slot, or is it a general statement? If there is no real list, you may be able to negotiate a shorter booking.

When my granddaughter was in preschool, her parents faced a similar choice. I can only speak to what I saw: they split the break, one week with me and the rest at the centre, and the centre accepted a partial booking once it was asked plainly. I don't know whether yours would. It may be worth asking before you assume the answer.

they do this every year at ours. we paid for the full dasara thing last year and my son went maybe 6 days because his granny came down. spot was safe after. so part seat filling, part real