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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel guilty for paying so little?

36 replies

ishouldfeelsoluckyinlove · 25/05/2017 18:36

Hi,

To start the story off, DD has dyspraxia and has taken numerous 1:1 swimming lessons. Some of the instructors she has had in the past haven't been quite good, some didn't have the experience of working with a child with Dyspraxia and many other reasons. However, my DD really enjoys swimming and really wanted to keep at it.

We were recommended a lewisite centre via a friend and the staff there recommended an instructor who is able to do 1:1 and has experienced working with children with Dyspraxia.
Due to this knowledge, the centre informed me that they give 1:1 swimming lessons discounts to children with SEN. I assumed it would be a few quid off but they informed me that each session would cost £6.00 ! Shock.

Moving along, DD had her first lesson with the instructor and the instructor was very very good. At the end of the lesson, I handed my proof of purchase to the swimming instructor and he looked shocked when he saw the receipt.

I now feel really guilty, I'm worried if so little pay would have a big impact on how much the instructor is getting paid. I actually don't mind paying the full rate, I would rather pay for something expensive for something which I know is going to be good ifyswim ?

AIBU ?

OP posts:
mamapants · 25/05/2017 18:40

What's a lewisite centre?
Is it the centre that offers a discount? Sounds like they might be subsidising the lessons, not sure why they'd do this but it's their choice and you shouldn't feel guilty.

Original poster
ishouldfeelsoluckyinlove · 25/05/2017 18:43

Oops sorry, meant leisure centre. Would you reckon I should pay the full fee ?

OP posts:
Original poster
ishouldfeelsoluckyinlove · 25/05/2017 18:43

Yep it's the centre that offers the discount.

OP posts:
HerRoyalNotness · 25/05/2017 18:45

If you can afford it and wish to do so, then yes pay the full fee. Otherwise not

Xmasbaby11 · 25/05/2017 18:45

Don't know why you'd feel guilty. It's hard enough having a child with dyspraxia, at least you don't have to fork out a lot for special lessons.

ToddlerIs2 · 25/05/2017 18:48

How much is full price?
Why did you need to show the instructor proof of purchase? Surely you wouldst be handing money over to him directly anyway
I doubt its affecting his hourly rate

mamapants · 25/05/2017 18:48

If it's a local authority leisure centre they might get a grant meaning they can subsidise the lessons. It will be to try and give children with Sen the same opportunities as everyone else. I think it's great.

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 25/05/2017 18:49

If it's a council centre I would assume they are subsidising the lesson and the teacher would be paid their standard fixed rate. I think it is great as it's an important life skill.

user1471453601 · 25/05/2017 18:51

I took individuals lessons six years ago. It cost me £25 an hour. So think you are getting a fantastic deal. It was the best money I ever spent, by the way. Keep going

MargotLovedTom1 · 25/05/2017 18:54

Presumably the instructor gets paid his normal rate with someone, whether that be the leisure centre council, whatever making up the difference between discount and full rate. It's not really any business of the instructor to be making his feelings apparent re the finances.

If he was looking shocked because that's all he'll be getting, then he's a numpty for not sorting out his terms and conditions with the centre in advance Wink.

Original poster
ishouldfeelsoluckyinlove · 25/05/2017 18:59

The full price is £30.00. I feel guilty because this is around the mark I was paying for DD's previous swimming lessons and they weren't that good and this one is ! I don't want it to effect his rate.

Not meaning to drip feed but when he looked shocked, I questioned him about it ( as I assume if he was working there he would know) and after a brief chit chat he informed me that for every 1:1 lesson at the price quoted above, he gets about £5.00 .

I am also worried about having to pay so little it may effect the way the instructor conducts the class.

I don't think it's a local authority leisure centre, its just a sports centre.

I had to give receipts to the instructors for DD's previous classes, I assumed it was the norm. I have to pay at reception and at the end of each session give the receipt to the instructor.

OP posts:
SquinkiesRule · 25/05/2017 19:01

Maybe you can give him the receipt and some cash on top, like a tenner or something.

Original poster
ishouldfeelsoluckyinlove · 25/05/2017 19:02

Looked on the website and it said the centre is managed by the council. Don't know what that could mean.

OP posts:
MargotLovedTom1 · 25/05/2017 19:04

Presumably he wouldn't do it if he wasn't prepared to accept that rate? You could give him a tip?

I still don't know why he looked shocked if he knows what to expect money-wise? Presumably he was told in advance that it was a SEN lesson. I dunno.

MargotLovedTom1 · 25/05/2017 19:04

Speak to someone at the leisure centre for clarification.

user1490375610 · 25/05/2017 19:04

Surely the instructor is getting paid a set wage by the centre. I can't see them docking how much they got paid because the student gets a discount. I'm sure they've covered the rest. I wouldn't worry

Original poster
ishouldfeelsoluckyinlove · 25/05/2017 19:10

He didn't know Margot, he said that his clients with special needs pay the full rate. I assume this is a new scheme that the centre is offering ?

Can I tip instructors ? I did ask someone for clarification and they said it doesn't effect it as the teachers get paid a daily rate. But, I dunno, maybe they're weren't sure and said that.

OP posts:
MargotLovedTom1 · 25/05/2017 19:15

It all sounds very confusing. How can he say he gets £5 for every discounted lesson, but then also say his SN clients pay full rate?

luckylucky24 · 25/05/2017 19:18

If it really bothers you then maybe tip him a tenner each time. Still half the price of your other classes.

Original poster
ishouldfeelsoluckyinlove · 25/05/2017 19:21

No, his other clients don't get discounted. Sorry if that was unclear. He was saying that he doesn't get paid much working at the centre anyway, that for every 1:1 (full rate lesson) he gets around £5.00.

OP posts:
GabsAlot · 25/05/2017 19:23

how does he get paid only 5 pound a leesson and if so why does it change if its discounted for sn?

Original poster
ishouldfeelsoluckyinlove · 25/05/2017 19:29

I'm not sure how it works Gabs. Maybe he works privately ? I assume he thought because they take out that much he would even less from the discount ?

OP posts:
APlaceOnTheCouch · 25/05/2017 19:35

Don't worry about it. As PPs said, the council probably has specific funding for DCs with SEN so that will be topping up your payment.
As for handing over your receipt, we used to have to do that in the local leisure centre. I think it was just to make sure you had paid and hadn't wandered in from the street into the class.

PumaLeopard · 25/05/2017 19:40

does he get paid £5 for the hour OP? It cant be, as thats below NMW.

Original poster
ishouldfeelsoluckyinlove · 25/05/2017 19:45

I don't think he get paid that much by an hour. But maybe he gets extra on top of the 1:1 lessons ??

OP posts:
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