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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think I'm wasting my time with these people?

42 replies

coproxamol · 14/06/2011 21:36

DD and DS2 go to a local preschool.
About 6 months ago about 12 of the parents whose DCs attend were 'persuaded' to form a committee. This effectively removed the responsibilty of running the preschool from the owners and made the committee members responsible for everything from writing cheques, paying wages, invoicing each other to fundraising, etc.
One or two have drifted away and the parent who became the Treasurer actually formally resigned after a month as she felt the owners were taking the piss and handing all the work over to the parents.
Anyway, this led to some bitchy remarks made about her at following meetings which I felt was grossly unfair, especially as her DD is still attending the preschool.
I offered to do the fundraising side along with 3 others. So far they have had zero input, whereas I have had sllepless nights fretting about raising funds for them.
I have offered (good) ideas which have been poo poohed, I have spent hours sourcing grants and fundraising sites on the Net and I have made them some fab posters asking other parents for their input, advertising upcoming events, etc. But the owners just put the posters in the bloody office....not on the wall where they need to be seen.
Feel as though I am wasting my time worrying that I am not doing enough while the other committe members seem to do sod all. Most can't even be arsed to turn up to the meetings, just send their apologies.
Am I wasting my time here or what? I mean, you can lead a horse to water, but the owners just seem so 'not bothered' that I'm starting to think I'm wasting my time too and should resign....but then I will be the one being bitched about, won't I?

OP posts:

LineRunner · 15/06/2011 23:17

Resign and leave while you can.

mossip · 15/06/2011 23:31

You can move very easily at the end of a half term. i had to because my mum used to collect but then got ill. Maybe move both in July if you want to.

I would be worried about legal implications of me doing something wrong - you have been thrown in at the deep end with no support. Even if you haven't done something wrong, the whole environment would make me think staff would not be happy and likely to raise grievances.

Original poster

coproxamol · 16/06/2011 09:51

Thanks for advice.
Am now looking into other preschools in are for DS2 for september.

OP posts:

Ragwort · 16/06/2011 10:01

I think you should talk to the Pre School Learning Alliance about what exactly is going on here - it sounds very dodgy that a 'private' pre-school has changed to charitable status.

(Roughly whereabouts in the country are you - just being nosey but I think I recognise the situation, unless it is a fairly common problem amongst pre-schools ).

There should be no issue whatsoever moving your child to another pre-school (double check if you have signed any 'contract' stating that you have to give half a term's notice for example).

Original poster

coproxamol · 16/06/2011 10:49

No it wasn't private. It's always been, as far as I know, a charity, so they've always had charitable status. They are making it incorporated. Not absolutely sure what that means exactly. I do know it means the owners hand over the running of the preschool to the committee and they have to register at companies house. But apart from that, I don't really understand the legal stuff
I do remember that when the committee was formed they had to have 2 dorectors, 1 treasirer and at least 5 committee members. We all had to put in £1.00 or something as a gaurantee, if that sounds right.

OP posts:

porcamiseria · 16/06/2011 10:56

Its a hard one as I am always getting asked to fundraising events, as Ofsted funds less than actual running costs.

here is what works for me, ask me for the money. I dont want to buy a photo, or sponsor a trampoline jump, or go to a quiz night

but they are pre-school educating my child so if they want an extra £30 a term from me, they can have it

as for you, its pre-school so presumable your kids will leave some time anway

but sounds like you are wasting your time

please try my suggestion, lots of working parents cant be arsed with all the activities but will happily pay more if asked to donate, loads easier!

QuintessentialShadow · 16/06/2011 11:03

It sounds dodgy and like a lot of hard work.

I think you are right to look for another preschool for your son. Changing wont be a problem. My son went from one nursery, to a preschool, and then to an overseas preschool, he has coped just fine.

Ragwort · 16/06/2011 11:10

It still sounds very dodgy to me; you refer to the 'owners' - yet the organisation is now a charity? I have been involved in pre-schools for years and my understanding is that in a charitable status pre-school the 'committee' is the employer so in effect you would emply 'the owners' to run the pre-school . How would it work if you didn't want these 'owners' to run the pre-school? (To answer a question earlier on, yes the committee is supposed to interview staff).

I suggest you just get out of the whole situation, it sounds incredibly disorganised and not like a properly run pre-school.

(The fact that other committee members don't get involved in helping with the committee is a whole other issue ).

SenoritaViva · 16/06/2011 15:38

OP You need to be careful because if you are officially on the committee (which should be voted in by parents by the way) then you are LIABLE for anything that goes wrong. I am treasurer and as such liable for our preschool amongst other committee members. We have insurance to protect us against it etc. But if the 'owners' walked off with all the money or it folded then you may be held liable for redundancy fees etc. This is REALLY important that you and other committee members know this. The old treasurer had every right to question the owner claiming time when she wasn't there. I'd recommend that they speak to the Preschool Alliance for advice on this.

SenoritaViva · 16/06/2011 15:41

Also, ask the preschool alliance for the latest constitution as this will outline how the preschool should be run and give you (or the other parents) some clarity.

TeaAndToast68 · 16/06/2011 18:37

if there is a suspicion of fraud, I really think you need to report it. Otherwise as a member of the management committee you might find yourself in an uncomfortable position if it is found out that you knew, or ought to have known, or could reasonably be expected to have known.

It worries me. I am involved in a local voluntary organisation and would not be at all happy.

Original poster

coproxamol · 16/06/2011 19:55

Agree with all posters on here really. I feel very uncomfortable about how things are being run, but have no experience of this sort of stuff.
Have already picked up an application form for a different preschool for DS2.
One thing I'm a bit confused about though: atm DS2 gets 15 hours funded so goes to nursery 5 days a week, 3 hours a day. The other place I have enquired about only does 12.5 hours per week, is this normal?

OP posts:

Pixieonthemoor · 16/06/2011 20:47

I am slightly perplexed - so the owners of the school basically said to the parents - if you want a pre-school, YOU run it??? Is that what is happening? And now you are having stress and worry and other people are not pulling their weight?? The only way in which you are being U is that you are too nice and other people (esp these owners) are taking the piss. Running a school (even if pre) is a proper job which requires proper training and a salary. If I were you, I would follow the example of the ex-treasurer, resign and leave this tin pot organisation altogether. There must be other pre-schools near you??? This one sounds useless if the people who actually own in cant be bothered. Sd them and sd their stupid 'atmosphere'. Leave and be happier!

SmethwickBelle · 16/06/2011 20:58

I definitely agree you need to leave this obnoxious sounding committee. I've never heard anything like it.

You can always say that you will oh so reluctantly have to resign for (vague and unspecified) family reasons because you won't have the time to commit, so it doesn't have to be an explicit criticism of the set up. If anyone quizzes you just say you'd love to talk about it but really you can't, very sorry.

Good luck with finding a preschool for DC2 - I'm sure you'll find something, there is always movement even if they claim the waiting lists are enormous...

Original poster

coproxamol · 16/06/2011 21:27

Pixie....yes that's about it basically. They said if we didn't run it they would close it.

OP posts:

TantePiste · 16/06/2011 22:29

So, you have to run it volunteering and fundraising, and do you pay for their places as well? While the owners pay themselves without running it?

pigletmania · 16/06/2011 22:41

I would get out of it if I were you, not worth the stress, time and money. Seems like the owners and taking the piss quite a bit. They want free workers, you can get paid to do what you are doing.

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