BREAKFAST CLUB PROVIDER (Fiesta Sports Club) TERMINATES BREAKFAST CLUB WITH ONE WEEK NOTICE

[Socialjustice]

We live in a village & until last September had no wrap-around provision at the village school.

Fiesta Sports were then bought in to provider breakfast club and after school club. They promised the provision for 2 years.

Subsequently I accepted a temporary role at work which meant relying on breakfast club 3 mornings a week. Without breakfast club, I'd have not been able to accept the role.

Fast forward to last Friday and the school newsletter makes a brief mention of the fact that breakfast club hasn't had much take up and will therefore be terminated at the end of this term - 1 WEEKS NOTICE. NO parent consultation. NO opportunity for parents to try to improve uptake. NO NOTICE! It's unprofessional and unacceptable!

I've complained to the school and the owner of Fiesta Sports Club - the owners response was 'were sorry but we've put it off for some time but here's two free afternoon sessions'. WTAF.

I've asked the school to clarify the notice period.

I have no one else to rely on childcare provision - what options do I have?

I've demanded that the school resolve it an ensure my daughter can be dropped of at 8am.

I've asked the school for the contractual obligations that were agreed between the school and Fiesta.

I'd also like to take this to my local council to complain but am not sure where to start.

I'd be grateful for Any advice

Many thanks.

^ What Zoomerang said.

I do get that it is annoying but this does happen quite a lot, because these clubs operate on such short margins and it only takes a few cancellations to put them into the red.

Could you arrange an informal arrangement with a fellow classmate. Drop off your child at theirs and then the parent takes them both to school.

imagine the OP if this parent changed their mind or was off sick one day 😟

You said that
‘I’ve demanded that the school resolve it to ensure that my daughter can be dropped off at 8am’.
What are you wanting the school to do? The provision wasn’t financially viable and I suppose that they hung on as long as possible, until it was apparent they couldn’t continue.

See if you can adjust your working hours.
Research other childcare options.
See if you can share with another parent short term.

or start angry a lengthy thread on mumsnet about all the demands and complaints you’re going to make 😂

I’ve demanded that the school resolve it to ensure that my daughter can be dropped off at 8am’.

oh how i’d love to be a fly on the wall 😂

@theeyeshaveit82 well yes sickness happens but this type of arrangement was/is the norm for a lot of people.
When I say "informal" I meant not a registered childminder but Mrs Smith from number 5 down the road who will be taking her two to school anyway and is happy to help.

How about instead of multiple posts which are making you look like a complete twat you either leave or offer some practical support.

Thank you for you lovely supportive message.

I do need to be more open in asking other parents for help. Not been in the village for too long so I'm a bit reserved in asking.

And yes I don't understand why some people like to slate others when all were doing is trying to find a bit of support and advice.

OP this week is half term. End of term is Easter.

OP I understand why you’re upset and angry, but you can’t make a company continue a service. Nor can you make the school provide an alternative. There is no contract between you and school (independent sector would be different). You don’t want to make an enemy of the school - you are more likely to get some assistance from empathy then anger.

Ive not been in this situation, but sudden changes in childcare are sadly not uncommon. I’ve had everything from a nanny become unwell (and to begin with unclear if would return), school bus be cancelled (so child couldn’t get to school), one child serious ill in hospital for months (so suddenly couldn’t do school runs), your energy needs to be focused on alternatives:

• childminder
• rota with other parents who were using this service where you help each other out
• au pair or student. Any local colleges doing childcare? Great job for student - come to you take your child to school and then on to college (might also do holiday care)
• any TAs at school do babysitting as above
• could a family member come stay for a bit to help out till you get sorted?

Yes sadly it's not viable for the club to operate at our school so I absolutely understand that. However they had promised 2 years provision - at the very least of have expected a longer notice period.

This must be incredibly stressful, particularly the lack of notice. There seems to be a reduced demand for breakfast clubs due to an increase in work flexibility post covid. Your best option would probably be a childminder.

From your OP it sounds like the provider is still running the after school club in which case I don’t think you’re being at all unreasonable in asking for greater consultation or for the school to work with the provider to find a solution.

Thank you. My sentiments entirely.

I do appreciate how my wording comes across though. Maybe need to reword it a bit.

But I just don't understand some people and why they need to be so downright nasty.

Lots of schools describe their holiday dates in reference to 6 terms per year. I find it weird too, because I was brought up with three terms, each of which had a half term break in the middle, but all my children's schools would describe eg the 9th February as "end of term 3".

End of half term x

read the Op

would you want to be in an informal arrangement with someone like this?

@Socialjustice your OP says 'at the end of this term'. The end of this term at our school would be Easter, though as PP have pointed out this is not the case at all schools. Might be worth clarifying this.

@theeyeshaveit82 yes I would have no issue with an arrangement like that.
I did it several times for other parents at my daughter's school.

@Socialjustice do double check if they mean this half term or Easter.

Thank you. Yes agree that my 'go to' has been an angry response and you're right, an empathetic approach would have been better. I tend to see red 1st - I'm working on that! Lol.

You sound like you've navigated a fair few stressful childcare situations well and with quite a bit more aptitude for resilience & patience than myself so I appreciate your response. Thank you.

Its actually a long history of being unable to progress & develop within part time roles (I chose to work part time, granted) that's impacting my response too. So finally after 10 years of searching for a decent part time job, this childcare meant options & opportunities opened up. I've had interviews over the past 2 weeks where I've stated I can start at 9am - opportunities that would be open if I can't get there for 9am. So I guess my frustration and upset has come across as a bit demanding!

Thank you for getting suggestions. Xx

i would have no problem with it

depending on the person

@theeyeshaveit82 I don't understand what your original comment meant then. If you would be fine with that type of arrangement.

Do you mean the end of term which is Easter, or end of half term?

As op has said one weeks notice, it can’t be Easter!! A lot of schools now have an increased number of shorter terms, rather than a long term with a half-term in the middle.

YANBU op. They should have given at least a term’s notice, when a lot of people actually depend on being able to drop their children off to go to work.

i would not be fine having an informal arrangement with someone like the Op who’s response is as per the OP

id be living in fear of i ever had to postpone or…. end the arrangement at short notice!!