Daycare charged the full fee for a month that had a two-week closure. Is that standard?

rose_moon_572226 Jun 2026

Our daughter's daycare closed for the last two weeks of May. The May fee wasn't reduced at all. When I asked, they said the fee 'reserves the seat' and covers staff salaries, which is fair as far as it goes. The contract we signed mentions holidays but says nothing about a two-week closure. I'm not trying to pick a fight with the people who look after my child every day. I would just like to know whether this is how most daycares work, or whether some charge a reduced fee for closure periods. How has your daycare handled it?

2 comments

breezy_gecko_850526 Jun 2026
Ours charges the full fee through closures too, two weeks in May and a week around Diwali. It's in the fee sheet, though, so we knew going in. The difference in your case is that it wasn't written down. I'd ask them to put it in the contract for next year, whatever you decide about this time.
willow_lantern_107927 Jun 2026
when my son was in daycare they charged half for closure weeks. it was written in. so a reduced fee does exist, depends on the place
- hazel_notebook_100427 Jun 2026
  Half here as well, for any closure longer than a week. I only know because I asked before we joined, after a friend got caught out exactly like this. You could ask whether they'd consider half for closure weeks from next year, rather than arguing about this one.
- cobalt_balcony_260528 Jun 2026
  Replying to @hazel_notebook_1004
  Agree with that approach. Asking for a change going forward is a far easier conversation than asking for money back. And if they say no, at least you know before you plan next May.