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.

I'm wondering if any of the current childcare staff are local? One might be interested in doing what you need.

In addition to the other suggestions of nanny/childminder, au pair- could you or your DH swap shifts and work evenings or a weekend day instead? Could DH work from home some days a week? Even if for a short period till you get reliable cover.

You're being so obnoxious to someone who is quite clearly stressed out. If you've got nothing helpful to say, why don't you just stop posting.

Did they promise or have a contract for two years?

because surely it’s relevant how a business made a promise

Contractually? hell right “demand”
A vague memory of the cub organiser saying he hoped to provide the service for a couple of years? no quite so justified i. demanding a bloomin thing

But you don't actually care what the answer is, you've already decided the OP is in the wrong no matter what and you've posted multiple times and you're yet to offer any suggestions.

Exactly what is the point in continuing to post so aggressively when it's clear you're just looking to be horrible to someone who was obviously posting in a frustrated state?

well clearly it state that if contractual “promise” then absolutely the Op is being reasonable

The OP is being reasonable whatever the circumstances. This is chat, not AIBU, and she's having a vent about being put in a very difficult situation by the general shitness of childcare options in this country.

Definitely half term - this Friday.

I've time in lieu to book off so I'm on holiday.

Thank you ❤️

They did promise this in their presentation to parents and the school confirmed this in their newsletter x

Ah really? I didn't know this. I'll ask the school about this. Thank you, that's really helpful 🙏 x

if you were being interviewed for roles within the last 2 weeks

you must have started this job a couple of days ago

and you alreadyhave time off in lieu?

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.

how long have you been in this job OP?!

@theeyeshaveit82 I read that as the OP is the interviewer.
Maybe she's a journalist?
Who knows.
You are being really picky towards a stranger.

Wrap around care is a nightmare. Th one childminder collecting from DS's school went bustvduring Covid so now there is simply no provision. The school don't run anything as uptake is not enough. I have had to restrict my hours as a result and my career is effectively dead in the water. I hope you can get something sorted.

Definitely half term sadly.

I know this is pedantic but they have given you two weeks notice as the half term holiday is included.

Do you have it in writing that they promised two years provision? That might count as a contract.

I think it’s the way OP said she’d “demanded” the school so something so she can drop off at 8am. It’s nothing to do with them what a private company does. She’s also asked for the contract between the club and the school, again not her business and what good would it do? The club has decided it isn’t viable, end of story.

Well demanding anything doesn't usually get people far, staying calm and rational may help

Have you got a class WhatsApp group at all? Could ask on there if you can drop off with any parents and give them the £ you'd have given for breakfast club?

Otherwise try to speak to the parents of your child and ask the same. Our breakfast club doesn't run on all 5 days of the week only 4 and I've taken a child to school a few times on the 5th day to help the parent out, didn't bother me at all and kept the kids busy in the morning.

If you are putting the feelers out, I'd recommend focusing on any parent of an only child if there is one (like me) as parents of siblings may already be taking them to separate schools/have a hectic morning.

Check childcare.co.uk for options within the village. My village has a few childminders who do before/after school care which includes dropping/picking up. As long as your child is over 5 the ratios are more flexible and quite often they can accommodate these requests though you may have a little wait

that is quite a reach

more likely op has only accepted this job or started the job a couple of days ago if she was having interviews in the last fortnight

I would ask the school to see if they have details of local childminders. I'm sure our school sent something out though may have just been a link to where to find the information. Your local council may have info. As pp have suggested try school WhatsApp groups/ local facebook/ Nextdoor groups. What about the staff currently working for the afterschool club?