To think this is unacceptable

[Sisterelephant]

This lady updates the FB page of our local children's centre. She asked me a few months ago to like the page as she was now taking over it.

There are daily updates on frankly what I think is unprofessional and should be checked before going live.

Things such as using the word 'grate' for great, putting xxxxxxx at the end of status' and general terrible grammar.

Now, I'm not perfect, my grammar is rubbish but I would get a second opinion if I had a similar job.

AIBU to think its not acceptable?

I'm too chicken to complain but want to have a moan, yes I have too much time on my hands

[mistermakersgloopyglue]

I have just checked the Facebook page of the children's centre that I go to, which is also run by a very friendly and informal bunch. They have used quite informal language (eg 'check out our new programme of events') but all the spelling is correct and there is not a kiss in sight!

[NearTheWindmill]

I have read some of this but think I can draw a comparison relating to when my DC were small.

DS for three weeks attended the nursery class of a local primary school. We thought it would be ideal, dd was a baby and it was very close. The expectations were poor, the teachers' notices on the walls were incorrectly spellt and grammar was poor. I did not like it and didn't think it was appropriate as a foundation place of learning for my son. It got a poor ofsted that year, shortly after a new head and is the primary to which it is attached is now top of the league tables where we live - 16 years on. I pulled him out and sent him to a private nursery instead which met all of my expecations and his needs in a very lovely and professional way - I paid for that and had it not been an appropriate place I wouldn't have sent him in the first place.

The local one o'clock club we attended was staffed by ladies just like those described by birds but it was enriching rather than laying the cornersones of foundation education. That I think is the issue if Children's Centres are all that some families can access and are the laying the corner stones then I think they should be organised in accordance with the highest possible standards - more so than many other environments because they may be providing access to those cornerstones that the children can't access elsewhere.

Every child is entitled to the highest standards of education in all its forms and the highest expectations available. That for me is what equal opportunity is all about. Every child should have the right to develop to his or her full potential; not just the average for the local demographic he or she has happened to be born into.

[THECliffRichardSucksEggsinHell]

Oh good MrsDeVere, and since it's no longer Christmas I should change back to Rhubs, people say I come across more aggressive with this particular user name?

Birdsgottafly can I just say how interesting your post was? I think you have a lovely way of writing

I agree that it does seem odd, Children's Centres run by the council will have forms and procedures when relating to social media and in fact some councils frown on it as it must be a nightmare to keep tabs on, there are so many security issues to deal with.

Where does the OP say that this centre is run by the council? Are we sure it's not private?

I also agree that someone can be more than capable of doing their job and be one of the best, yet the way they present themselves may not be everyone's cup of tea. I live down south now and people tend to be a lot more formal, I miss the familiarity of the north where you were everyone's 'love' or 'petal'.

The centre is obviously being well run and for me, that would be the most important issue. Whilst spelling and grammar on a Facebook page might piss me off, it wouldn't bother me enough to complain and I wouldn't base my decision on whether to send my kids there on the FB page alone - many establishments may have professional FB pages written by people like me who have been specifically hired to do so, that isn't a reflection on the level of service you receive with that company. A professional social media manager may not even be involved in that company. So it does seem a little trite to say that the informality of a FB page would cloud your decision as to whether to send your kids there. At the least the person who is updating it is closely involved with the centre.

[DumSpiroSperHoHoHo]

Are there private children's centres?

I tend to assume CC = Surestart = local council, although obviously nursery schools can be either.

I'd be amazed if any Surestart Centre had funds for a professional social media manager!

[THECliffRichardSucksEggsinHell]

I have missed the post where the OP said it was a CC run thing, I thought the CC just stood for Children's Centre? Have I misread again?

Yes, surestart probably couldn't afford me, not that I'd want to charge (it's up to my discretion) as surestart provided a lifeline for me when the dcs were younger and I think they provide an excellent service.

Just making the point that some privately run children's nurseries or schools for instance, may employ a social media manager who has nothing to do with the day-to-day running of the unit and therefore their FB page doesn't accurately reflect the service they offer, since it's not written by them.

This one comes across as genuine, honest and friendly at least. But like I said, I wouldn't base my decision on a FB page, not when it comes to the care of my children.

[Sisterelephant]

Wow, what a great debate this turned into!

Just to clarify a few things;

I think its run by the local council

They have a nursery attached.

The issue is not about using slang of 'hunni, lol, bubs' etc as there is reasonable explanation for this, its about correct spelling of words. Spell check is pretty much on everything so you'd be going against the grain to get something wrong.

It's not an attack on her, I've previously said she is very welcoming and friendly, she is probably really enjoying looking after the page and probably doesn't notice the errors? I guess it's more the management that are allowing these mistakes - or maybe they are not monitoring it?

I just gave a few examples of the errors there are lots more but if a word mis-spelled its mis-spelled, right?

Someone up thread is a writer and thinks IABU- sorry I can't remember their name - I'm sure whatever they publish will be proof read/checked so there are no mistakes? That's my point.

[VampyreofTimeandMemory]

it certainly did turn into a debate! there is no doubt in my mind that a lot of people ARE snobbish and believe themselves superior to someone who can't spell properly and i maintain that - not necessarily the case here i realise. i still think there are more important things to worry about, especially when it comes to nurseries. however, good english skills do look more professional.

[volvocowgirl]

As someone who updates more than one FB page (and various other social media outlets) for the local authority, let me assure you, you may be doing them all a favour by letting their local authority's communication team know now rather than when someone complains about something other than spelling.

There are national standards that most (though not all) LAs adhere to. I've got a separate qualification in marketing and social media but still had to complete training in these national standards - as they are quite specific about certain things (there are set flow charts on responding to people, etc).

You can be friendly and approachable in your tone without using slang or having spelling mistakes. There are also rules around who manages the page and who has different access settings (anyone remember the HMV twitter debacle last year when they were all getting sacked?)

The woman who is updating the site should be given adequate training and will also probably have to be involved (with other staff) in completing risk assessments, etc, on its use. It could be better for her in the long run as she would know how to protect herself (many of the standards are about arse-covering - which is vital now that there are more and more people getting into trouble legally due to social media) and she'd have the training and skills to add to her CV.

[chrome100]

Yanbu. I update my department's Facebook page. Last week I made a typo and got a slapped wrist. I deserved it!

[Doubtfuldaphne]

Would you trust a business that mis spelled their leaflets/business cards/website? I would honk it was unprofessional. This is a business and gives a poor public image.
You should let the centre know by email and it's up to them whether they care enough.

[Doubtfuldaphne]

Honk=think!

[THECliffRichardSucksEggsinHell]

There is no spell check on Facebook.

Or on Mumsnet it seems

I am the writer. Yes my writing is checked and proof-read, because that's what I get paid for. This lady may not be getting paid for updating the centre's FB page.

If it's just mis-spelling then again, and this is not a presumption, you need to question as to whether she may actually have dyslexia. As I said, FB has no spell check so it's difficult to ascertain whether a word is spelt correctly or not. As she is a receptionist I would guess that her spelling is adequate on other occasions, no doubt because Word for Windows has a spell checker.

If you are bad at spelling you may be painfully aware of this but what can you do? I don't know of any courses to help adults with spelling and to suggest one may be patronising.

Personally I would just hide the page, be pleased that the centre is performing well in other ways and leave them to it.

[Sisterelephant]

Very well said vovlvocowgirl. I will be sending a polite e-mail to bring it to their attention, it's up to them if they choose to do anything with it.

Ah, yes thecliff. I think we'd have to agree to disagree. It doesn't matter whether she is paid or not, if you volunteered to your job, are you saying it would be ok for there to be mistakes? Surely not.

She may have dyslexia and not notice the errors but its up to her managers to be proof reading her work. They should be doing this regardless of if she has dyslexia as her updates are representing the business.

I have spell check on my laptop and it updates on my Facebook and I have it on my phone which also updates on my facebook. I agree if you don't have a clue how the word is spelt, it wouldn't give any suggestions but if you skate around the word it will.

As for posting on mumsnet, it doesn't matter if you can't spell, you're just a person airing a problem, the important part is the overall message.