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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think doubling the price will mean the group closes?

218 replies

NotMuchNotice · 03/02/2022 09:56

A small problem granted but I'm wondering if it's reasonable to think this is exactly what will happen?

I've attended a toddler group with my child since last September when it started running. It's held in community building so doesn't actually cost those running it anything for the space and they have been fortunate to get lots of toys and resources donated however despite this I appreciate there is the cost of the time given by those volunteering to run the group.

The group costs £2.50 per child and whilst lovely it's never been exceptionally popular, most weeks they have between 10-15 people. This is likely because it's quite a deprived area and there are many groups here that run for free or a very nominal donation supported by lottery funding or local support services. This group is probably one of the most expensive of its type in the area but I like the atmosphere, those running it are lovely and so I've no problem paying.

However this morning out of the blue we've received an email saying the price is doubling to £5 per child starting immediately with tomorrow's session. I really want to support the group and to help it keep running but am really surprised at such a huge increase in price and can't help feeling that this is going to mean tomorrow's group is probably going to be the last one. Am I being pessimistic or would you feel the same?

OP posts:
IncyWincyGrownUp · 03/02/2022 09:58

There’s no way they can keep a generic toddler group going at that price. I ran one for years, also in a deprived area, and we were donation only and some weeks would barely make enough to cover the tea and biscuit layout.

Gizacluethen · 03/02/2022 09:58

I would never pay 5 quid for a toddler group!
Here I can take a toddler and a baby to a trampoline park/softplay for that.
Even for 2.50 I can go to a little softplay area.

What are they offering to charge so much?

NoSquirrels · 03/02/2022 10:00

Why are they doubling the charge? What’s the reason?

And how sure are you there’s no cost in y’all hire? The toddler group I helped at had to pay hire rates.

chantico · 03/02/2022 10:00

I wouid share your pessimism

Do you know why they need to put the price up? Just because it's a community building doesn't mean it's free to use (pay towards cleaning, energy bills and general maintenance)

BlowDryRat · 03/02/2022 10:01

I think you might be right. I'd expect to pay 50p/£1 to cover biscuits and cleaning materials by a volunteer-led stay & play group. A fiver a session is ok of it's a business like sensory play.

britneyisfree · 03/02/2022 10:01

I wish I could find a toddler group for so cheap. The one we go to is £7.50 for 45 mins!

Spudlet · 03/02/2022 10:01

That’s a lot for a toddler group! It’s certainly more than I’d have been willing to pay every week, and it would have had to be pretty special even for me to shell that much out occasionally.

mumofmunchkin · 03/02/2022 10:01

Toddler groups are normally the cheap option for doing something with your kid - round here they are £1 or £1.50 which covers a drink and a biscuit.

For a £5 session I could take my toddler to a forest school session, the local role play centre, swimming, a music class, it would cover most of the cost of a signing class etc. I would never pay that to sit in a church hall watching my toddler play with toys and drinking tea.

JustUseTheDoorSanta · 03/02/2022 10:02

How do you know they don't pay for the building and are all free volunteers? With a big increase, I would expect their costs have gone up so maybe no choice.

If there's drinks and biscuits, plus toddler snacks, plus it's a very good one, then I'd be ok with going personally but it will put off some who need it but can't afford that. The one nearest us was also £2.50, but free if someone couldn't afford it. Toddler lunch provided at the church further away was great and even cheaper at £2 (or free if you can't afford), but they made more money on coffee and cake sales; that could be a suggestion for the group leaders.

Whinge · 03/02/2022 10:02

I agree with you. The sudden increase in price and other groups in the area being low or no cost will likely lead to a drop in attendance and then the group will end up closing.

Are there any grants or fundraising initiatives in the area that the group could apply for in order to help reduce the costs to parents?

Thesearmsofmine · 03/02/2022 10:02

Did they give a reason why the costs are going up? I imagine it will spell the end for the group.

Inspectorslack · 03/02/2022 10:04

Community building doesn’t mean it’s free to use. I used to run a group in a community centre and we had to pay £20 a session for the use of the hall.

Original poster
NotMuchNotice · 03/02/2022 10:05

It's just a general toddler group. There's a little room with some sensory lights and calming music in it and a hall with some tuff trays set up and toys. They end each session with a story and songs and a snack for the children.

No reason was given for the price increase at all, the email just said we are raising the price. I'm 99% sure there is no cost for hiring the space.

OP posts:
NotNowAlan · 03/02/2022 10:06

I used to run a toddler group in a community hall. We had to pay for the use of the hall, it wasn't free. Having said that £5 seems steep.

NoSquirrels · 03/02/2022 10:10

If they haven’t justified the cost increase then that’s crap communication and they sort of deserve it to fold, honestly.

Original poster
NotMuchNotice · 03/02/2022 10:11

@mumofmunchkin

Toddler groups are normally the cheap option for doing something with your kid - round here they are £1 or £1.50 which covers a drink and a biscuit.

For a £5 session I could take my toddler to a forest school session, the local role play centre, swimming, a music class, it would cover most of the cost of a signing class etc. I would never pay that to sit in a church hall watching my toddler play with toys and drinking tea.

See that's exactly how I feel. As lovely as the group is, it really isn't offering anything special or different and the cost already felt quite expensive in comparison to others in the area offering the same or in some cases even more.

I really do enjoy going but I'm not sure I can justify £5 every week for as you say sitting in a hall whilst my child plays.

I'd they had explained why it's gone up I think people might have given them the benefit of the doubt and continued to go but they haven't given any reason so it sort of makes harder to swallow the increase.

I will look to see if there are grants they could apply for that's a great idea but sadly I think by then it will be too late for the group and it will have already had to close.

OP posts:
Kshhuxnxk · 03/02/2022 10:15

Unfortunately the hike in insurance and utility prices and the cleaning requirements will have necessitated this. Halls aren't generally free to use, even Church halls.

hypeman · 03/02/2022 10:19

Agree £5 is a huge amount for a generic group like this.

I pay £6 for a craft group that covers 9 or 10 good quality messy or craft activities, games etc plus a snack and drink for children and adults. I live in an affluent area & it's popular.

In our area there's a coffee and chat group where the children play with toys etc and it's £1 again in a community hall. It's mostly got company, kids & adults.

DorotheaFrazil · 03/02/2022 10:23

I'd reply to the email and ask why. Say that you've very much enjoyed going but unfortunately the dramatic increase in costs means you are going to have to consider whether you can continue to attend.

Original poster
NotMuchNotice · 03/02/2022 10:34

@Kshhuxnxk

Unfortunately the hike in insurance and utility prices and the cleaning requirements will have necessitated this. Halls aren't generally free to use, even Church halls.
I think everyone is well aware that everything is going up but surely they need to balance that against the cost of the group. The group has a ceiling price and going above that will just mean no one attends.

Plus as I've said I'm 99% sure the space is not paid for but even if it did come with a cost surely they would be better off explaining that in the email? Instead of what we actually received which was basically not much more than hi all the price is doubling starting tomorrow. See you all tomorrow.

I'll definitely email and see if I can get any clarification but I'm not confident that they are going to be willing to drop the price again now they have made the choice to increase it.

OP posts:
JustWonderingIfYou · 03/02/2022 10:37

That would be very cheap around here and you wouldn't get a biscuit!

Actual activities cost at least £12 a session. Shocked others can get to soft playnor forest school for £2.50 Shock

SeasonFinale · 03/02/2022 10:41

I suspect that they do pay for use of the community hall and also that they have to pay for insurance.

Is there anyway you could speak to those running it and suggest some other types of fund raised that would involve the wider community in an attempt to keep down fees?

Littlehouseonthefairy · 03/02/2022 10:41

They normally have to pay for the heating and electricity used E we if the hall is 'free'.
If only 10 - 15 people go each week that's only £25 - £37.50 for supplies and heating and electricity and possibly insurance. I can see any they have increased the price. I wouldn't have paid more than £3 for a toddler group when mine were babies and toddlers even if I could see any the price had to be higher. We didn't have much spare cash then and if I had been spending a fiver I'd have taken them to soft play or swimming or a singing or dancing group.

SageRosemary · 03/02/2022 10:45

When you say most weeks they have between 10-15 people, do you mean 10-15 adults paying adults with perhaps 10-20 children on top of that or do you mean 5 or so paying adults with 5-10 children?

I ran our local playgroup for a couple of years, solo, I was "volunteered" rather than volunteering. I would say it cost me money to run the group and I did a year of it even after my youngest DC started in school so I wasn't bringing a child with me. The room was free, generously provided by our local church. However, I ensured a donation with a covering letter to indicate that the cheque was a contribution towards insurance and heating costs. In fairness, the church was renting out the room on other days to art groups and bridge groups so they were at a loss on the day that playgroup happened. Suggested donation was €2 per family not child, but some people didn't pay and some donated more. Tea/coffee was available together with biscuits for the adults over 2 hours.

Whinge · 03/02/2022 10:45

@JustWonderingIfYou

That would be very cheap around here and you wouldn't get a biscuit!

Actual activities cost at least £12 a session. Shocked others can get to soft playnor forest school for £2.50 Shock

The OP has said it's a deprived area. If groups in your area are able to charge £12 a session and people attend, then I assume it's an area where people can afford to pay those prices.
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