Northampton nursery chain criticised for charging key worker parents even if their children never visit during lockdown

Parents have criticised a chain of Northampton nurseries for charging key worker parents even if their children have never visited during the lockdown.

The Home From Home nursery group has come under fire from parents for billing key worker parents during the Covid-19 lockdown even if their children have stayed at home the entire time.

The chain's owner Maria Barnsnoble, who has five locations across the town, said in an email at the beginning of April she was "willing" to only charge key worker parents 50-per-cent rate if they gave her advance notice their children would not visiting at all during the lockdown.

It would mean the parent whose toddler would normally visit four days a week between 9am and 3pm would pay £250 for no service at all.

"It's basically a fee for nothing," said one parent, Joanne Millard. "If you're going to suspend fees because your children are visiting then make it the same policy for everyone.

"I'm a key worker but my husband is able to stay at home during the lockdown, so he's been able to look after my son and haven't needed the nursery. For this, I would have been charged £250.

"I declined to pay and now my son has been taken off the roll."

Home From Home's nurseries include; Churchside, in Spencer Parade, Northampton Town Centre; Dovecote, Kislingbury; VIllage View, Great Houghton; Parkside, St Georges Avenue; and Riverside, Crow Lane.

Home From Home has been approached for comment.

It is understood that Home From Home has now emailed parents offering to scrap all fees for key worker parents in May if their children do not attend if the lockdown continues.