To think that some parents at DTS 's nursery are being unreasonable?

[spokette]

Some parents at the nursery that my DTS attend are complaining about the nursery being closed on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. They were informed about this in November.

This morning whilst I was signing the boys in, a mother with her 10 month old daughter complained that the nursery should provide the service for those who wanted it. One of the nursery staff quite rightly pointed out that they too have their own families and needed the time to prepare/shop etc.

I was gobsmacked. The nursery will be closed for the afternoon of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The staff work really hard and deserve a break.

I understand that some parents have to work but they have known about this for a while and it is up to them to make alternative arrangements. What are they going to do once their children start school? Insist that the schools stay open until Christmas Day?

AIBU or am I missing something?

As a trained nurse, before cm, I have worked every year at some point on xmas day, boxing day and new year.I completely understand the need for childcare, however, on those days there is normally a family member or friend who doesn't have to work and who can help out for a couple of hours.I am taking my very rare opportunity not to work this year, as I will return to nursing soon enough!

marge2, your GP is "Definately NOT maternal in any way shape or form. Poor kids". But you also said she likes children once they are older. I'd wager there is something maternal there.

Also, don't a lot of fathers go back to work by 19 days? Do you wonder if they are paternal?

Blueshoes, the nursery has always opened at 7am, the parents know this when they apply (that is why it is oversubscribed with a long waiting list). How is the nursery being laxed when it has to remind parents of this? If the parents have to be at work before 7am, then they have been rather foolish in registering their child at a nursery that opens at 7am. That is not the nursery's fault and neither is it their responsibility.

Macdoodle, again I don't understand your point. Parents know the opening times of the nursery and the dates (usually bank holidays and Christmas eve pm) that the nursery is closed when they apply. The nursery just reminds parents of the dates it is closed nearer to the time. Surely parents who know that they have to work on those days are responsible for finding alternative arrangements? Why is it the nursery's fault when it has fulfilled its obligation by providing all the information to parents to enable them to choose whether or not it is suitable for their needs?

Parents should take responsibility for finding childcare that fits around their needs and choosing a nursery that does not is being rather dim and careless, imho.

spokette, I think you misunderstood my 'lax' comment. I assumed the nursery had been lax about enforcing their policies in the past in accepting children before the official 7 am start time (thus parents turning up at 6:30 am hoping to drop off) and the nursery is now having to write to parents to reiterate that the official start time is a firm thing - so no more bending of rules.

As I said before, I agree with the nursery doing that.

What I disagree with is the implication that parents who have to drop their children early are somehow less commited to their children than others.

Blueshoes, "Ihave a dd who IS in school. Short of cloning myself, I have to get an aupair because I cannot be at 2 places at once. Spare a thought for working parents who are just trying to juggle work and childcare responsibilities.

Too easy to judge.

I have 3yo DTS at nursery and have been there 3 days a week since they were 7mo. I know all about juggling. I made the decision to go back to work and so it is my and DH responsibility to sort out our childcare. Just because we have to juggle our responsibilities does not give us the right to take liberties with the rules that the nursery have set.

The nursery has never been laxed about the 7am start but the staff have been subjected to abuse by some parents demanding to leave their children earlier. Hence why the letters were sent out.

Spokette, I assume from what you are writing (apologies if you have explained earlier on) that it was made clear to parents of your nursery when they signed up for it that they close every X'mas Eve afternoon every year. So it is not a case of changing the goal posts with a month's notice by the nursery (as was the case with mine). If so, fair enough, it is not within the parents' rights to subsequently insist on a later closing time.

No, it is not on for parents to verbally abuse nursery staff who are just enforcing the long-standing start time.

I believe this thread keeps getting sidetracked by posters who use it to brand all working parents who have to use nursery services on X'mas Eve.

Blueshoes, yes it was made clear from the outset that nursery closed on Christmas Eve from outset.

Interestingly, the nursery is close to a hospital and so is used mainly by the people employed there, especially doctors and nurses so I do sympathise to some extent but they knew the rules when they signed up. That is why the verbal abuse is totally unacceptable imo.