It has cost me over £200 to sign my toddler up for classes twice a week

[SpicyJalfrezi]

Then on top of that he has a weekly swimming lesson which is costly - £54 a month.

I know they aren’t compulsory and you don’t have to do them and some MNetters would rather gauge their own eyes out, etc. But it’s pretty sad that people who would like to do them won’t be able to if the cost is prohibitive.

Nobody is calling you horrible names

If you are referring to me, I do think that some people have a sense of entitlement that "someone else" should provide things for them. But that isn't calling anyone names. If someone has - in a post that I have missed - then report it and MNHQ will take the post down.

Like NeedMoreLego it never occurred to me to pay for classes before my dc were old enough to go to swimming lessons at 4 yrs old either. I have absolutely no issue if people want to do that, but I think your projected disappointment that people who are less well off than you can't access what you can, is a little misplaced.
Society has always had things some people can afford and others can't. There was a post this week about horse riding lessons. Most people would not even have that cross their radar, let alone have any difficulty saying "not going to happen" to their dc should they ask about it. But we wouldn't feel deprived, we just understand that families have different budgets. There are always going to be people better off than you and always going to be people worse off than you.

Ir was merely a thought I had as I booked those classes that not everyone would be able to afford them and I do think for many of those parents they will miss our, even if all the children want to do is look at books for ten hours at home.

I think you’ve just missed the mark somewhat with what you’ve been saying. Sure start centres have been closed for a long time, libraries have also been closing and reducing hours for several years. Parents not being able to afford days out or expensive classes is also not a recent phenomenon - it’s common sense that obviously a lot of people don’t have £200 to spare on that kind of thing - but this doesn’t seem to have been on your radar until now because you’ve recently done the maths and it’s affected you. It’s really not a big shocking revelation.
You seem to be under the impression that baby and toddler classes are some kind of developmental essential, that getting on a bus with a toddler which people do all the time is some great logistical hurdle and children are going without dental treatment unless their parents are paying for it. I don’t think you are entitled but you do sound quite privileged and out of touch, and I have my doubts as to whether you actually know anyone or socialise with anyone who can’t afford baby classes, never mind people who can’t afford to run a car. You’re ‘othering’ people and pitying people who’s day to day lives you actually know little about.
So coming along bemoaning lack of opportunities for the less affluent and essentially trying to ‘champion the poor’ on here does come across as somewhat patronising.

I think calling someone entitled is pretty horrible, @Kite22 . It’s unlikely MN will take it down given you have of course phrased it in such a way that it couldn’t be construed as a personal attack, and in any case I’m not sitting here sobbing into my coffee about it, but I do think it’s unpleasant as a response to an observation that there is virtually nothing free or low cost for parents with preschool children.

@BeanieTeen , the thing is that it hasn’t affected me. I am fortunate. It doesn’t mean I don’t recognise it won’t have been an issue for others.

Is it championing the poor to say ‘I have noticed this’?

I think calling someone entitled is pretty horrible, @Kite22 . It’s unlikely MN will take it down given you have of course phrased it in such a way that it couldn’t be construed as a personal attack, and in any case I’m not sitting here sobbing into my coffee about it, but I do think it’s unpleasant as a response to an observation that there is virtually nothing free or low cost for parents with preschool children.

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree.
As you have pointed out - I haven't personally name called or attacked anyone. I have been trying to follow what you are trying to say with this thread, and, in generalising that, it is my opinion (which, as this is a discussion board, is generally encouraged that people offer their opinions) that there are a number of people in society who seem to think that "someone" should provide things, and that many of the things that are suggested are things that people could crack on and organise themselves. If the hat fits, then wear it. If it doesn't, then it isn't aimed at you.
Plus, throughout the thread, posters have said that there are low cost and free things about if you hunt around a bit. You have even mentioned two things yourself.

I agree with what @BeanieTeen says, above.

So it's about £10 per class for ten or twelve weeks? That's standard. Why are you posting? If you don't want to pay it, don't. People need to make a living

I’ve mentioned one thing, @Kite22

The thing is, it’s fine to have a difference of opinion. It’s fine to discuss. It’s fine to have an opinion. But when that opinion is expressed so repeatedly, over and over, when you take what someone says and twists it (see above re ‘you have mentioned two things’) - and that’s coupled with words like ‘entitled’ it gets a bit exhausting. As we can see from the post above, quite a few people haven’t bothered to read the thread, just come to stick the boot in.

It is food for thought re starting something. I could look into it certainly. I have only recently moved and don’t know many people. But really I’m not sitting here and saying ‘it’s so terrible no one is organising anything’. It’s more that it’s a shame that things that were established have gone.

I saw a post earlier today from a university student who was actually saying very similar things about clubs and societies at her university. Interestingly, despite that being on AIBU the replies were sympathetic. Maybe I made the wrong call posting on chat!

as you keep quoting me, then I am going to reply.
You mentioned the library.
You mentioned a class that was heavily subsidised on a day when you are at work.
I think that makes two things.
I haven't twisted anything.

Lobby your MP to improve funding for this crucial stage.

Sessions led by professionals in children’s centres are far better than the rubbish I have attended in paid classes run by charlatans.

When our children’s centre closed, I organised a team of volunteers to run a stay and play in imitation of the ones at the children’s centre. We charge £2 admission per family but have a code for free entry if the £2 prevents anyone from attending. It’s not the solution, but it goes some way to ensuring that parents and carers in our community still have somewhere to go that supports the development of their babies and toddlers.

The library that is open for three half days, and offers no toddler sessions whatsoever?

That’s really good to know, @Juicesausagecake

@SpicyJalfrezi have you actually talked to the librarian at the library about toddler sessions? Asked them if they would consider offering some? Or where the nearest library to them is that has sessions?
They could be one of many reasons why your nearest doesn't have any sessions - but unless you actually talk to them you don't know the reason behind it.

@Needmorelego I appreciate you may be trying to help, but I’m not actually asking for advice for me. I’m pretty sure that anything on would be publicised on the webpage and on social media. It’s a small library, hence the limited opening hours. I’m not doubting that other libraries have got things on for toddlers, but even then you can run into problems of actually getting there if you do not drive.

@SpicyJalfrezi like others on your this thread I am slightly confused as to what the point of this thread is.
As a non driver I am well aware of the problems of actually getting to places.
One of the biggest issues in this country for social mobility etc is quite frankly the appalling lack of public transport - which outside of cities is incredibly poor, unrealiabe or completely non existent.
There could be 100 free toddler groups/nice places to go/low cost sports facilities or whatever in an area but if people cannot physically get to them because there is no bus then there might as well be zero.
If you want to help make a change in improving the lives of many children in this country then campaign for better public transport.

@SpicyJalfrezi I'm not sure why you thought I was calling you belligerent?

I was genuinely asking how long a term is for those prices, in comparison to the group I go to.

I also gave suggestions of meet ups with other parents in a similar position that could be adapted to those who struggle to afford groups. It's another way of doing things, working around the cost issue