To think that nursery fundraisers are a bit cheeky?

[punnedout]

My DC's nursery had a fundraising day last weekend, where parents were invited to attend and throw money away on raffles, cake stalls etc. I naively asked which charity we were supporting, and was told that all monies raised were for the nursery and would go towards new nursery toys etc.

This is a private nursery, which is consistently oversubscribed and isn't cheap - AIBU to think that they should use some of their sizeable profits to purchase equipment, rather than fleecing parents for more money on top of already high fees?

I agree, YANBU.

YABU. Even private nurseries have bloody huge overheads and if they can put money towards better resources for your child then that's a good thing.

Disclaimer- I work in a small community nursery and we have to fundraise several times a year to update resources.

Think they all do iy

I'm so glad somebody else agrees, thank you! I genuinely couldn't figure out if I was unnecessarily outraged by this. School fundraisers I understand (on the basis that yes we pay our taxes but it's not the school's fault that it's underfunded), but I think it's a bit rich for a private nursery to hold one!

I think it's a good idea to fundraise for equipment. New nursery equipment is expensive and they get broken and damaged all the time.

Are you sure they make sizeable profits?

And - if they sell you a cake or a raffle ticket, it's a transaction. You can take part, or not.

Yes, I get the child resource point, but I suppose it's the concept of giving a business charitable money - if I go to the gym and my my monthly fees, I don't expect to also give them additional cash by way of an overpriced cupcake in order for them to buy more treadmills.

I appreciate that this is flippant, and of course caring for our children is more important, but the same principle applies surely?

YANBU

How can you be sure they make maximum profit? Overheads such as fuel bills, staffing, admin, wear and tear on equipment and the building all adds up and very often there is very little profit to plough back in to the nursery.

It should have been clear what the event was for, but other than that, YABU.

Yes it is a transaction, I completely agree, it's more the general nature of the fundraiser that grated. No, 'm not sure about profits, but I do understand the financial modelling for such businesses, and this is a particularly successful one. I appreciate your thoughts though, I am a bit torn myself as to whether I'm being grumpy for no reason

YANBU I would find it cheeky too!

Incredibly cheeky. My private nursery fundraises throughout the year but for a different local children's charity each year.

That is true Groovee, I can't be sure

... Unless I asked to see their accounts.

Or I could just spend 50p on a cupcake and shut up

You may be surprised at how little private nurseries make. Child funding for each place often only covers the staffing costs and rent etc. is costly. If the children need new toys our nursery has to fund raise.

Thanks STFUB and Purple!

My DS's nursary is private and they've never held a fund raising event for themselves.

They do dress up days, pudsey bear days and give to charity, never for there own pocket though.

A little bit different but a nursing home I [briefly] worked in also held fundraisers for the nursing home. The poorly paid staff (who also had their employment rights trampled over whilst I was working there) were invited to give away their books and other bric a brac for the home to sell. It was intended to fund events for the clients - at the time it made me think of the £800/week rental fees those clients had to pay, along with staff (illegally) having cuts to their monthly pay, advertised client services not being upheld and/or withdrawn, staffing levels kept to their absolute minimum, and the general shittiness of the place along with the stinginess of the owners. Needless to say I only stayed there for 2 months. Though I am inclined to think for nurseries it's a bit different and it's genuinely probably harder to make a profit, but still, I can understand why it would grate.

YANBU. If you're paying a not inconsiderable charge for your child attending the nursery you are entitled to assume that charge covers the equipment and resources required to run the place effectively

Well when I worked at private nurseries, the owners where always away on expensive holidays and we had to beg for resources. They always lied to parents saying all the food was organic when in fact it was sainsbury's basic brand, yes even the frozen meat.
We got the minimum pay and many times I had to do my own accounts to show them my overtime was being overlooked.
YABU

YANBU I meant

I used to manage a nursery and the owners were always asking me to organise a fete/ fundraiser type thing. I was so embarrassed, the thought of asking parents who pay a fortune on fees to fundraise for the nursery was awful.

Running a raffle for a private enterprise?!? YANBU

You need licence from the local council for gambling and although they may turn a blind eye to small/informal events without one, I'm sure they wouldn't be so happy about a private company doing so.

So legally it stinks and morally too.