Do I get a refund from nursery if my child is off sick? | 2025

Unfortunately, young children often fall ill as their immune systems are still developing. Particularly when they first start, as they are being exposed to lots of children and new surroundings, your child may regularly miss nursery due to illness. This does however tend to become a lot less frequent as they get older and their immune systems get stronger.

Nursery fees are a significant worry for families, with one day at nursery costing anywhere between £50 and £120, depending on where you live and the age of your child.

If your child is unable to attend nursery due to illness, it is understandable to expect that you may be offered a refund. However, private nurseries are businesses and need to make sense financially in order to stay open and provide childcare.

This article offers general guidance as to whether you can get a refund if your child misses nursery due to illness. Your child’s nursery will have their own individual policies and procedures in place.

Do I get a refund if my child is off sick from nursery?

In general, nurseries do not offer a refund if your child is off sick. This will be outlined in the Parent Contract you sign when you register your child with the nursery.

Nurseries are required to have a certain number of staff in each day for the number of children booked in. If any children cannot attend due to illness, the staff still need to be paid, along with all the other costs that go into running a nursery.

Therefore, it is not realistic to offer refunds for sick days, particularly given that young children are ill frequently.

Essentially when you book your child into nursery you are paying for their place. You don’t lose that place if they are ill or on holiday, so still have to pay for it.

Do I get a refund if my child is temporarily excluded from nursery due to illness?

In a nursery, children exhibiting infectious or concerning symptoms may not be allowed to attend nursery until the symptoms have cleared. This is to prevent and control the spread of infection and protect other children and their families.

Common illnesses that often require exclusion include:

• Chicken pox
• Conjunctivitis
• Covid-19
• Ear infections
• Fever of 38 degrees Celsius or above (this number may be different at your child’s nursery)
• Flu
• Hand, foot and mouth disease
• Impetigo
• Unexplained vomiting or diarrhoea
• Tonsilitis

Many nurseries allow children showing mild symptoms of coughs and colds to attend as normal.

Nurseries have individual policies on what conditions/symptoms warrant exclusion and how long for.

Usually, you are not entitled to a refund if your child is briefly excluded due to illness, even if your child caught the illness at nursery. This should be clarified in your Parent Contract.

Do I get a refund from nursery if my child will be off sick for some time?

If your child has been hospitalised or will be unable to attend nursery for some time due to illness, speak to the nursery manager. They can offer advice and a potential solution based on your individual circumstances.

Do I still have to pay top-up fees if my child is off sick?

It’s possible you’ll still have to pay top-up fees if your child is off sick. Check your nursery’s policy or speak to the manager.

What leave from work can I take if my child is off sick from nursery?

If you need to take time off work to care for your child while they are ill, there are a few different options for the type of leave you take:

• Paid holiday
• Unpaid emergency leave
• Unpaid parental leave

You may also be able to request flexible hours, swapping shifts or working from home.

For more information on emergency leave and parental leave, please see your rights as a parent at work.

Do nurseries require children to be vaccinated?

It’s not a legal requirement that children must be vaccinated to attend nursery, but private nurseries may have their own policies in order to protect children from serious diseases.

If you would prefer your child to go to a nursery that requires vaccination, speak to the managers of nurseries you are interested in or check their policies online.