William Eichler 19 May 2023

Council asked to reimburse father for nursery fees

Council asked to reimburse father for nursery fees  image
Image: Dusan Petkovic/Shutterstock.com.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council has been asked to partially reimburse the fees a father paid while his daughter was receiving free nursery care.

The child attended nursery, with some of the hours being paid for by the council under the Free Early Education Entitlement (FEEE) free places scheme, while the family paid the remainder.

The father complained to the council that the nursery was not providing him with an itemised bill.

An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found the council failed to work with the provider to ensure its invoices were transparent.

It also found that the nursery was applying a daily charge for consumables of more than £13 for the man’s child, but did not make parents aware that this was an optional payment.

Paul Najsarek, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said: ‘Statutory guidance is clear: councils should work with providers to ensure invoices and receipts are clear, transparent and itemised.

‘We also made it clear in previous reports that ‘free must mean free’ and that nursery providers cannot bridge the gap between the council’s rate and their private rate by hiding charges in opaque bills and charging structures.’

A spokesperson for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead said: ‘The council takes seriously our duty under the Free Early Education Entitlement, and every year we ensure hundreds of qualifying families secure free nursery provision.

‘In this particular case, we accept that things unfortunately didn’t go as well as usual, and we’ve already apologised to the family and paid the required reparation. In addition, we’ve already taken steps to reduce the risk of this happening again and we’re carefully considering the report’s findings and recommendations.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Graduate Trainee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

North Yorkshire Council
£25,183 - £30,559
Could you help us deliver Electric Vehicle infrastructure to support this new transformation mode of transport. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Contracts and Strategy Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£41,442 - £44,331
Royal Greenwich is on the up! Having achieved a 3.8% increase in our recycling rate this year Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Developer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£52,584 - £69,068
Royal Greenwich is a vibrant borough, with a rich history and diverse community. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

SEND Operations Assistant - 2 year FTC

Essex County Council
£25081 - £26679 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
SEND Operations AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 to £26,679 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E SCP 18-25 (£30,559 - £35,235 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled individual to join our Welfare Rights Team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner