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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

R.E paying for an extra adult at playgroup?

142 replies

Doglikeafox · 05/09/2017 18:42

Hi everyone,
I've been attending a playgroup for a few months now with four children. Entry is £3 for the first child, and then £1 for each accompanying child. So it is £6 for my four children to attend. We love the playgroup, and it has always been well worth the money in my opinion. We usually stop in the cafe afterwards and purchase cups of tea, toast etc and we occasionally meet there with friends (who purchase their own entry separately).
My partner is off work today so decided he would join us too. When we got to the till to pay for our entry, we were told it was £8. When I asked the cost breakdown, they said it was £3 for one child, £1 for an extra child and then my partner had to pay for two of the children too so it was another £4 for the other two children. I said this seemed odd as we had been paying £6 for weeks and it didn't make sense to pay an extra £2 today when I was bringing the exact same amount of children. The lady responded that my DP was paying for 'the privilege of getting in'.
We had only brought £6 with us today, and I didn't have any money on me other than my credit card. I'm not sure if she didn't have a card machine or if it just didn't accept credit cards but she said I couldn't use that to pay so I then had to turn around and head home. The children were quite upset and I feel a bit naffed off. Surely you can't just stipulate that its £2 more because I had an extra adult with me? DP and I were quite obviously a family and not just two random adults trying to get in and pay less.
AIBU? I was really surprised that they turned us away, especially when there were no signs up or anything on the advertisement to say that the £1 per extra child only applied for one adult.

OP posts:

user1481838270 · 06/09/2017 04:43

It's fine to charge for an extra adult...but they don't charge for adults at all...it's £3 for the first child then £1 for subsequent children...it's not hard.

Back in the day, £3 was the charge in our playgroup for the first child and this was inclusive of an adult as it was not possible for an adult to simply drop a child without staying.

In saying that, there were a few over the years who tried to interpret it as a charge per child by attempting to drop the child and not staying.

Original poster

Doglikeafox · 06/09/2017 07:45

I don't think it's necessary to include the cost of a parent in admission to prove that you need to stay with your children. That is now how soft play centres, normal playgroups, any sort of children's activities normally work is it?
And for those asking if the adults get anything- no they don't. Children get toast and juice at the end of the session but nothing for the adults... which is fine... as they don't charge for them!
Also, to those saying what more right does my DP have to come in than someone's sister... um maybe because he is a parent who will always get priority over an aunt in situations like these?

OP posts:

Ragwort · 06/09/2017 07:51

Stop arguing with all of us and just ring up the Centre, ask for their admission prices and then explain what happened.

Then update us .

But seriously, it is incredibly highly subsidised for a commercial group.

demirose87 · 06/09/2017 08:00

The playgroup I take my children to is £2 per family, so it doesn't change for the amount of children you have or if you have a friend's children with you. That includes toast and milk for children and tea/ coffee and toast for adults. I would look for another playgroup if that's their attitude.

Shumpalumpa · 06/09/2017 08:00

maybe because he is a parent who will always get priority over an aunt in situations like these?

So you think you and your DP are a priority and should enter for free but not a single parent bringing her sister and children.

You do sound very entitled, OP. I think they were right to insist you pay.

Original poster

Doglikeafox · 06/09/2017 08:22

No I think that all adults should enter for free, as per the advertised price list!
However I think it goes without saying that a parent will get priority over an aunt.

OP posts:

jarox · 06/09/2017 08:52

The comments on this post seem very ott.
I understand why you were annoyed. I'm surprised if you said you only have £6 they didn't just make an exception! I go to church ply groups and often just have the exact change for the group. If ever I've been short I just write it down and say I'll pay the next week. But to be honest if you couldn't afford the £2 at all they would still let you in. Maybe trying one of these groups would be better.

2014newme · 06/09/2017 08:55

Odd.
But one of you should have popped off to get the email trail cash and the others gone in rather than you all go home!

PrincessWonderRabbit · 06/09/2017 09:06

So you think you and your DP are a priority and should enter for free but not a single parent bringing her sister and children.

You do sound very entitled, OP. I think they were right to insist you pay.

Oh ffs

PrincessWonderRabbit · 06/09/2017 09:07

But one of you should have popped off to get the email trail cash and the others gone in rather than you all go home!

Why should they have? It's clear, beyond clear that they would have preferred not to do that. Or they would have done it.

2014newme · 06/09/2017 09:09

Because it's shit for the kids to all go home and totally unnecessary.
Agree playgroup woman was daft but why should the kids miss out

dustarr73 · 06/09/2017 09:31

Because it's shit for the kids to all go home and totally unnecessary.
Agree playgroup woman was daft but why should the kids miss out

Well then the woman should have let them in and let op pay next week.

2014newme · 06/09/2017 09:34

Agree. But she did not let them in. So I would have taken the kids in as usual and do go and get the extra money

demirose87 · 06/09/2017 09:57

They were in the wrong to charge extra because you're all classed as one family, so it doesn't really matter who the adult was with you, they are still your children, not somebody else's children. It sounds really expensive for a playgroup and the woman sounds petty for the sake of £2.

Shumpalumpa · 06/09/2017 10:07

Princess

oh ffs

A fantastic post, well done.

Original poster

Doglikeafox · 14/09/2017 15:56

Update for whoever is interested:
I did complain and received an apology from the manager who had spoken with the member of staff. Apparently the member of staff was under the impression we were two separate families and that is why she insisted we pay for both adults. (I think that is BS) She gave me a ticket for free entry for 4 children and 2 adults and assured me I would not be charged in future for an adult as that was not their policy.

OP posts:

Coloursthatweremyjoy · 14/09/2017 16:52

Great result OP. Glad to hear it. I don't believe she thought you were two families either...

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