Terms and Conditions

The parents and guardian who sign the application form or send children to Step By Step Montessori Limited (or “Step By Step”) are bound by the following information, terms and conditions.

• The application fee is payable with the application form. This is not refundable in any circumstances.  In the event of a place not being immediately available the child’s name is placed on the waiting list.  This does not guarantee a place.
• The offer of a place must be accepted by the parents / guardian in writing by completing a registration form and paying a deposit of £250.00, as part of the agreement to accept a place. This sum is held to cover any extras your child may incur and is refundable (after any deductions) by BACS by the end of the term following the final term, provided a full term’s withdrawal notice in writing has been given, otherwise it will be forfeited.
• Fees and other charges for each term are invoiced prior to the beginning of the term and are payable termly in full either:
  • on or before the first day of term; or
  • by standing order or online payments in three equal amounts; or
  • by childcare vouchers, unless other arrangements have been made.
• The parents / guardian are responsible for paying the entire fees and charges as above irrespective of any arrangements (e.g. via Student / College Finance or Council funding).
• If any fees and charges are not paid by the due date, Step By Step reserves the right to refuse to take the child whose fees have not been paid and take on another child in his/her place. Step By Step reserves the right to charge interest and penalty fees on late payments.
• Step By Step reserves the right to charge administration fees for payments returned by your bank or for any attendance changes resulting in amendments to the original invoice.
• Fees and other charges (including lunch if applicable) are still payable in all cases of absence, sickness, holidays and closures of the Montessori due to extreme weather, pandemic viruses or emergencies.
• Attendance Variation: An Attendance Variation Form must be completed for any changes in attendance.  Verbal requests cannot be processed.  A full and complete term’s notice in writing is required for any decrease in attendance; e.g. for any decrease to have effect in the Summer term, an Attendance Variation Form must be submitted before the start of the Spring term.
• Review of fees: Step By Step reserves the right to increase fees without prior notice.  However it is hoped that fees will be reviewed annually during the summer term and will operate from the beginning of the next academic year, i.e. the following autumn term, and that Step By Step will give notice of the increase to parents and guardians by the end of the summer term.
• Withdrawal: A full term’s notice in writing is required should the parents or guardian decide to withdraw a child from the Montessori.
• Removal of children: Step By Step reserves the right to request the parents or guardian to remove their child on either a temporary or permanent basis from the Montessori should it consider it necessary for the safe or efficient running of the Montessori.