After-School Club closed - one week’s notice!

[APermanentlyExhaustedPigeon]

Had a letter this morning to say that the after school club my DD is due to start with has been let down by the branch manager and is closing with immediate effect! I thought they meant a temporary closure initially (to find a new manager) but on the-reading the letter, it’s pretty clear they have no intention of trying to re-open.

So that’s 40+ parents that now have to find alternative childcare provision with a week’s notice, in an area where none of the other after school clubs in reasonable distance will do school pick ups from our school.

And the cheeky gits haven’t even returned the deposits they took to hold her place!

Very grumpy lady here! 😡

(I have emailed them re either re-opening/returning the deposits but not expecting a response!)

Have made a list of all the local childminders, etc. and will be phoning round tomorrow morning to see if anyone has a space, but seems unlikely this close to term starting.

I would actually email or phone childminders today some won’t answer , some will . I tend to work Sunday evenings with planning accounts etc and would answer emails as don’t get time when children are here.

Did you sign a contract? If so, I’d be thinking about legal action, reclaiming lost costs and so on. What kind of business operates like this?!

😱😱😱😱😱
OMG - this is actually shocking.. can the school step in?

I would definitely start calling around now, at least you can leave messages - other parents will be and places will get snapped up.

What a nightmare! I'm really sorry.

Is the club based at the school?

If so I would try to get in touch with the Head. The school may be able to keep it going until another company can be found to run it.

Most schools will be working tomorrow (even if inset days only). I would contact the school to see if they have any suggestions. Perhaps they are not aware but might need to consider setting up an ASC themselves.

Christ that sounds like my idea of hell! Hope its not in West Berkshire...

Contact the school and childminders today to see what can be done. Are you in contact with any other parents that will be using the club?

So I’ve emailed the school, as I’m not sure whether they were aware on not. Despite them renting the space to the After-School club, I don’t think they will see it as their responsibility to step in, but we will see.

I have had a response to my email to the After-School Club owner, she has given her reasons for not being able to find anyone else to run it, and has agreed to refund my deposit. Not much else to be said/done there really.

I will start trying childminders now, it felt a bit cheeky calling on a Sunday, but as you say they don’t have to answer as it will be an unknown number, so may let it go to voicemail, will send email as well if they have provided it.

Wish me luck!!

Oh, no, not Berkshire, Dorset!

Well so far I have contacted 8 childminders. 3 are full already, not heard back from the others (but it is Sunday) - fingers crossed for tomorrow

Can I also suggest if you have a local fb group parenting or similar it may be worth asking in there.

Ooh good idea, thank you. This is my only DC just starting school so it’s all new to me!!

All our local schools have a Facebook group set up by parents for new starters. If you haven't joined one have a look. It will be something like 'bash street school reception 2018'. Also local facebook groups are great for suggestions of childminders.

Can your work be flexible until it's sorted?

I think I may have found someone, going to meet her tomorrow [hopeful face]!

I will check FB for a group though as prob would still be useful to join if there is one.

I emailed the school over the weekend to ask if they had any suggestions, and they’ve emailed me back this morning to say that they didn’t even know it had closed!!

How's it going @APermanentlyExhaustedPigeon ? Did you find something?

Other suggestions - are there sensible students in the area who could pick up one or more children and take them home/look after them until parents come home?
Are any FE colleges in your area you could get in touch with?

Or a nanny with a young child of their own will sometimes do this sort of after school care?

Its hard enough finding wrap around care in London where there are usually more options (but also more demand) - must be really tricky elsewhere.

I have found someone, I think I must have nabbed the last free space with any of the local childminders!

We went to meet her this week and she is super lovely, and I’m actually really pleased we found her as I think my DD will be much happier there than the original after school club.

I had an email back from the school to say they had no idea the club had closed (!) and were now looking into their own provision if there was sufficient demand.

So maybe two good things will come out of this!

Oh brilliant news pigeon !