To not want my daughters' primary school to run a Nail Club (fingernail painting)?

[Bodkin]

It's one of the official after-school clubs. All the girls want to go. It's so popular they've had to limit it to years 5 & 6.

I've nothing against nail varnish, just think it's not a suitable primary school club and the time could be better used.

are they allowed to wear varnish at school anyway?
I realise not all clubs are educational (in fact isn't the point that they aren't?) but I'd prefer something beneficial and age appropriate.

We had some 'entrepreneur tables' at the school christmas fair. It was like a competition and they kids chose what they wanted to do - sell things, face painting, etc. They had to work out hoe much things cost to produce, estimate how much they thought they'd sell, how much to sell it for... They absolutely loved it! A percentage went to the school and the rest was 'wages' for the kids! DS gave his 'wages' to charity (the little sweetie).

Personally, I think all kids should be taught how to cook, wire a plug, change a washer, use a saw... and apply for a passport and bank account!

YABU, kids asked for it, a volunteer is running it and the kids are having fun, what is wrong with that?

FauxFox - i agree that a social club is a better idea, plus it is inclusive. As you can imagine, not many boys attend Nail Club.

I hope they teach the older harier ones how to wax..

jesus

If they have asked for it and someone is willing to run it i cant see the harm.

As for There is currently no chess / art / sewing / computer club.

Do they want one and are you willing to run one if they did?

I would be willing to run a club, however I have a very clingy 4 year old who would be a total nightmare, so will have to wait until she is older.

well get down the school then and get orgainising. It doesn't have to be one or the other and maybe some of the girls who go to the nail club would also be interested in the chess club.

It could be very useful, my DD did Btech in Manicuring and it is one of the best ways of starting a small business as it has very low start up costs.

This is a perfect example of legislation doing crazy things.

The school gets credit from OFSTED for having a variety of after school clubs, and the school gets credit from OFSTED for having a school council whose ideas are implemented.

I can see why the head allowed it, especially if a parent has volunteered to run it.

I'm a big believer in letting girls do girly things if they want to, and I think that there can be too much emphasis on showing little girls that they can do everything that boys can do as it can sometimes prevent them from doing the pink fluffy girly stuff that they are naturally drawn to. But I'd feel the same as you about a nail varnish after school club. By the very fact that it is an after school club, run on school premises, it is sending the message that having pretty nails is important and something to aspire to. I can't think of any other after school club that has no educational or health benefit whatsoever and concentrates soley on something so shallow.

Not everything has to be 'educational'
They have just finished a full day in the class and the children have opted that as a club for a bit of fun.
I would say they are still mixing and socialising.

10 years ago I would have felt like you but I am more relaxed these days.

Agree with that Freddos. Eloquently put, thank you.

"Non contact boxing has no educational merit but it's after school club"

But it might improve fitness. It has some merit whereas nail painting? In primary school? If you asked most children what they'd like for dinner every day a lot of them might well say MacDonalds - I'd question the wisdom of letting them opt for that. If the school wanted them to exercise some autonomy they could have chosen a range of more useful activities and let the children choose from those.

Maybe if it was other things too - a whole 'feel good' package? Eating good foods, exercise, yoga, relaxation... And beauty too. Then the emphasis is on the whole person, not just the cosmetic.

But hey, its been a while since I was ten!

yabu. I would have no problem with it, if limited to y5-6.
Sounds like the only alternative to this is no club at all in that time slot. I can't see how that would be preferable.

No, I don't think that is the situation.

The clubs the school offers varies from term to term. This is a new club this term. It has replaced another club.

OrmIriam - that was my argument; the fact that it is popular does not make it valid! Sweet Club would go down a storm, as would XBox club.

You mean there are other people volunteering to run other clubs, ones that you would approve of more, and nail painting was chosen in preference to those?

Lucky school, to have so many enthusiastic volunteers!

One thing I'll bet money on, there aren't many y5-y6 kids, especially girls, queuing up for any of those other clubs. y5 DD does street dance only because her best mate wanted to go, they are almost the only children in there above y3.

(DD would like basketball, but not on offer).

I for one would be rather about either Sweets Club or Xbox club. What "benefits" would they offer?

It might stop them biting their nails.

good point! I'd sign DD up now if that worked and the DSs for that matter.

Well lucky for your school for having a Street Dance club! I am amazed more girls don't want to attend. Maybe they are too busy obsessing about there appearance. Aged 9 and 10.

"Their"

Ah, I'm now getting that was irony (sorry, stupid furrener alert).

Just wait until you have your own 9-11yo DD, OP, and how little the afterschool clubs have to offer in their interests.