Help ...I have a concern with the Playgroup.

dawnmac · #1 (**permalink**) 03-17-2005, 08:09 AM

Christopher has been attending the community playgroup (nearest one to me) since mid Jan. I have paid for all the sessions to date (4.50 per 2hr session X 2 a week) + I have also paid £5.00 per term for snacks (1 biscuit and juice per session).

He was going to continue, it's just that their hours are set and not flexible and also they will only be doing 3 X 2.5hr sessions X 3 a week starting next term. I would be loosing 2 sessions a week and would have to make other arrangements which I thought would be too disrupting.

So, as from 4th April he will be starting Little Bunnies in kings Lynn (10 miles away). They are really flexible and have allowed me to put him in Tues & Thurs 09:30 till 3:30pm + a wed or fri afternoon between 2-4.30 anytime to suit me, they have even said I can swap and change if I wish, I just need to let them know.

Ok, some of this is besides the point.

Playgroup now is breaking up for the hols next friday, so Christopher has two more sessions next Tues + Thur. I went to drop him off today and they gave me a letter saying that the President of the community centre committee had passed away last week, because of this they were going to be closed for 1 day next wednesday for the funeral. (this is fine as Christopher goes Tues & Thurs). They then go onto say as it is so near the end of the term, they amongst themselves have decided to make Tuesday the last day of Term. Therefore they will not be open next Thursday and yet they still expect me to pay them for the session.

I rang to speak to them after I had dropped Christopher off, to discuss this. There was no answer so I left a message on the phone, asking someone to call me back, as they also owed me £7.50 for a sweatshirt that I paid for that still hasnt "come in yet" so I had asked for a refund of this. & I wanted to discuss a refund for next Thursday. Noone called, but when I went to pick Christopher up the manager shoved an envelope in my face and said theres your money! I thanked her but didnt get to check it, when I got home there was only £7.50 and no more.

It really annoyed me, as it is we are still trying to get Christopher out of pull ups and I explained this to her before I first signed him in, she said that it wasnt a problem and if needed they would change him. I have always made sure that he had just been changed before dropping him off so they would not need to unless he went again. I have picked him up 5 times in total with poop dry and stuck to his bum, they obviously hadnt bothered! I never said anything as we are going to do the naked thing at easter and didnt want to make an issue of it. I have also noticed that when all the mothers are picking up their children every 2 weeks or so, they have always had a bunch of pictures and arty stuff that they gave their mummies, I have only ever got 1 picture and a mothers day painted paper plate.

I have heard that some people in the villages single out people that have moved in from the cities and make them feel like oddballs, I dont know if that is what they are doing to us, but at the moment it sure feels like it.

How should I ask for my Money back, it's no so much the money but more the principal of it that really winds me up!

IheartJandA · #2 (**permalink**) 03-17-2005, 08:53 AM

How rude that they just shoved the money in your face and didn't give you a chance to discuss it. I would be glad to be out of there. The not changing thing would really wind me up, too.

To be honest with you, I would just leave it, because I don't like the hassle (especially for £4.50). I understand that it's not the money that is the issue, but I guess when someone dies, these things are unavoidable, although arrangements should be made to refund money to ALL parents. Sounds like it's not the best where organization is concerned though, so it doesn't surprise me that nothing was done about refunds. I would go and speak to whoever is in charge on Tuesday, thank them for their work with Christopher for how ever many months/years he has been there, then say that because of their time changes, you have had to make other arrangements for him, and would like to be refunded the money to cover the cost.

I'm sorry you feel this is personal

I'm sure that isn't the case. I know what you mean about the artwork, when my first daughter was at nursery she came home with paintings all the time, but with my second I got hardly anything. Maybe he is just not participating in that sort of activity (presuming they have several ongoing to choose from?) I hope you can get this resolved!

crisantemo · #3 (**permalink**) 03-18-2005, 04:00 PM

Dawn
I am not sure what to suggest over this, maybe it will get resolved in the new term and they will make up for the 'lost' days.

HOWEVER - if there are things you would like to put right then perhaps you could join the parent group or create one. I know our playgroup have a comittee which meat now and again, they normally resolve issues fairly quickly. just a thought.

dawnmac · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 12:16 PM

Thanks girls, I thought about it and I think I have decided to leave it, as I will probably be fighting a battle i'll never win. In the long run they have lost my custom as Christopher will be starting Little Bunnies on 4th April. I have heard from families living in the surounding areas that have moved up from London 3 years ago that are still having similar problems.

Honestly, I really dont have time for ignorant people, and anyway it's their loss not mine. They'll soon know their mistakes when they dont have enough children to keep the playgroup open. It seems to be a ongoing thing here, every week I hear/read of new playschools opening and some closing, i'm not sure what it is but obviously the parents are not happy with something.