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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this after school club is dreadful?

28 replies

AwfulMaureen · 24/01/2014 13:02

In my DC's primary school there are a few after school clubs...we've got a lego club, a dance club, a computer club...they're great and the people who run them do charge a decent amount per term to make you think that they must be worth it...the only free club is the lunchtime lego club which is kindly run by one of the teachers every week and which many kids who are quieter really love.

A new club began this term for infants and was called "Playground Games Club" I thought that sounded good...perhaps it would be traditional playground games...with some leadership from those running it. As it happens I was too late to apply...but twice over the last week, whilst waiting to collect my junior age child from her club, I have been waiting inside school and have seen this club in action through the window. I watched on two occasions for about half an hour. And I am really glad I didn't put my younger DD in to it!

It consisted of two lads of about 20 years old, playing football with the same three boys while the rest of the children ran about aimlessly with some hoops and skittles. The weather was freezing and some of the smallest ones looked frozen and unhappy...huddling on the steps. The first time I saw this I thought it was perhaps a one off...but no...the next week was the same...the "leaders" were just haivng a kick about with the three same boys!

This isn't right is it? I know that 35 pounds for the term is cheap...but it's only an hour long once a week...shouldn't they be playing with all the kids? Organising proper games and so on? AIBU? If I am not BU shall I mention my concerns to someone?

OP posts:
Littleturkish · 24/01/2014 13:04

It DOES sound dreadful!

It needs to be properly managed and two 'supervisors' focussing on two boys isn't enough. Call and express your concerns.

thepobblewhohasnotoes · 24/01/2014 13:06

I would mention your concerns to someone.

I'd maybe start by gently asking what it was supposed to be, and what they thought happened there, then explaining how what you saw doesn't (presumably) match that.

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 24/01/2014 13:07

Who should I speak to? I feel bad...the lads running it are young but that's not a reason to run it badly is it? I feel that if the parents of these infants could see what their child was doing they would be upset though...I know I would! There's one little girl there of reception age who I know has some developmental issues and she seems to be being looked after by another little girl who is in year 2...it sort of moved me to see this year 2 child trying her best to entertain the little one...all the time being ingnored by the staff!

OP posts:
StanleyLambchop · 24/01/2014 13:07

I would envisage circle games like 'farmers in his den', and 'orange balls' (as we used to call it), maybe 'off ground touch' some running and novelty races, that kind of thing. I would not want to pay for unstructured running around, although £35 for a term it is very cheap child care!

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 24/01/2014 13:07

Pobble who are "they"? The lads or the school staff?

OP posts:
zipzap · 24/01/2014 13:08

I would definitely be bringing it up with the school.

At dc1's school (junior school), all teachers have to run at least one after school club a term and it costs £5 a term to go. At dc2's school (infant school), there are some clubs run internally, others run by outsiders, but even then the most expensive is £20/term, most are about a tenner. So that actually, £35/term sounds pretty expensive, especially for such a shoddy effort!

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 24/01/2014 13:08

Stanley it is cheap...but it's an hour once a week...how many weeks in a term? Can't remember....not cheap for getting babysat in a cold, hard yard!

OP posts:
TheGreatHunt · 24/01/2014 13:08

The governors? The teachers? Head teacher? There are plenty of people to tell.

Littleturkish · 24/01/2014 13:10

12-16 weeks roughly a term.

Give the school a call/email just describing what you saw.

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 24/01/2014 13:10

Hmm. I think I might start with the teacher...I'll ask "Who runs the playtime club?" as a sort of "in". It's a TINY school and any complaints will be round like wildfire. I bet those lads are someone's sons!

OP posts:
BackforGood · 24/01/2014 13:11

I would certainly bring it up with the school staff - this will depend on who you 'chat' to - in my dc's Primary school the lady on Reception was fantastic and would have taken on board my concern and shared with the right people, but it might be your dc's class teacher or the HT or anyone really, but I would say something.

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 24/01/2014 13:13

Back I DID think of the lady on reception. She's very approachable...and will pass on my concerns so it's not such a big deal I think. I will do that...good thinking! I'm disapointed really as DD2 did show interest in it at first when I mentioned it. If it was a good club she'd love it! But I'm not leaving her to be ignored in the cold for an hour!

OP posts:
pussycatdoll · 24/01/2014 13:14

How can you not know who to contact ?
I'd email the head !

craftynclothy · 24/01/2014 13:16

I think £35 is expensive too. Dd1 goes to a club after school once a week. It's £4 for 5 weeks. They do group games in the hall (dodgeball, etc.)

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 24/01/2014 13:17

Pussy emailing the Head just isn't the thing...we either speak directly to teachers or we email them. I don't want to seem complainy either.

OP posts:
Chocovore · 24/01/2014 13:22

All of our after school clubs are run by the teachers and are free of charge. I am told this is part of their contracts. I wouldn't be appy paying o what you describe at all.

thepobblewhohasnotoes · 24/01/2014 13:25

Sorry, I meant the school. I'd go for whoever you generally find most approachable. I was thinking the class teacher, or another member of teaching staff, but if you like the lady in reception, then she would be a good start - as long as you think she has enough clout in the school.

ilovesooty · 24/01/2014 19:26

At dc1's school (junior school), all teachers have to run at least one after school club a term

All of our after school clubs are run by the teachers and are free of charge. I am told this is part of their contracts

Are these academies/independent schools?

nancy75 · 24/01/2014 19:31

I work for a company that does an after school tennis club, the charge this term was £48 - for this we pick up the kids, take them to tennis club and they get an hour with 2 fully trained pro tennis coaches - compared to what we offer £35 for running round the playground doing nothing seems like a complete rip off. There are 12 weeks this term btw.

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 24/01/2014 19:36

Nancy so it's about three pounds per hour per child? My maths is BAD...so if that's wrong please set me right. Grin Anyway....three pounds is cheap surely? For one hour of "games" if they were in fact playing games!

OP posts:
southeastastra · 24/01/2014 19:39

are you sure the children running 'aimlessly' around weren't having fun? perhaps they were having a great time and you just judged on a snapshot? the leaders should involve all the children though and try to get them to engage in something. perhaps the kids didn't want to join in. 35 a term is pretty cheap

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 24/01/2014 19:46

South no...they weren't having a good time at all. They were bored and cold. Remember, I sat there for around half an hour on two occasions...it wasn't a bad moment or snapshot that I caught.

The leaders didn't engage with the kids at all apart from the boys they played football with...who also happened to be the biggest and most capable...tiny little ones were left to their own devices and upon seeing me sitting on the bench inside, they began peering in at me and knocking etc...looking for interaction.

OP posts:
HoratiaDrelincourt · 24/01/2014 19:53

Our teachers do a club each too, then there are paid-for clubs run by a sports company.

Frinstance, the HT does a running club round and round the field brrrrrr.

"Playground games" clearly means "playing in the playground" here Sad and £35 sounds like quite a lot when there's minimal input.

Mellowandfruitful · 24/01/2014 19:56

I don't think you should worry about sounding 'complainy', because if a complaint is justified, it should be made. You're not demanding mass sackings, you're pointing out that a club doesn't seem to be taking good care of all its children. Talking to the approachable lady seems like a good start.

From the sound of it, this is the consequence of putting young people who are unlikely to be experienced in running a group like this in charge of it. Fine to have them there working under someone else's direction but not as you've described it. I would ask the nice lady who is in charge of that club and take it from there. And I'd emphasise that this comes from watching twice for some time, not just walking past the window once.

Logg1e · 24/01/2014 19:56

I think you should volunteer to join in with the organisers and share some of the traditional games, give them guidance on involving all pupils etc.