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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:
Viviennemary · 03/02/2022 11:32

The people running it should approach the local council or parish council if its a village and ask for a grant towards running costs. Is it being run for a profit. Not that there would be a lot of profit. Maybe none. But you cant expect folk to run it at a loss. But if they aren't paying for the hire of the hall the costs shouldn't be that high. Good idea to try and raise funds.

JustUseTheDoorSanta · 03/02/2022 11:32

Yes, churches charge for use.

Original poster
NotMuchNotice · 03/02/2022 11:34

@JustUseTheDoorSanta

Yes, churches charge for use.
I know they do but some of those running it have links to the church hence why I don't think they are actually paying to hire the space.
OP posts:
JustLyra · 03/02/2022 11:38

That’s a crazy price for toddlers. They’ll fold.

Monopolyiscrap · 03/02/2022 11:40

@NotMuchNotice is it a Christian playgroup? i.e. Christian storytelling, colouring in Bible scenes, etc?
If not they will be paying for the hall hire.

JustLyra · 03/02/2022 11:40

It might be that a funding source has been cut. We always got a contribution from our local council (playscheme, pre school and after school club) that basically covered our insurance. We’ve been told that will be cut completely this year.

If it’s a deprived area though there are still good finding sources out there. It’s time and effort to do the applications though. Usually churches are pretty on the ball though.

Any chance it’s deliberate to price some people out?

Original poster
NotMuchNotice · 03/02/2022 11:43

[quote Monopolyiscrap]@NotMuchNotice is it a Christian playgroup? i.e. Christian storytelling, colouring in Bible scenes, etc?
If not they will be paying for the hall hire.[/quote]
No they don't do bible stories and colouring but some of those running it do have links to the church.

To be honest whether or not they pay for the space isn't really relevant surely. The simple fact is they chose to use this space ta a cost they were happy with and whilst prices may indeed by rising they must know that doubling the price will mean the group is likely to fold.

OP posts:
CharSiu · 03/02/2022 11:45

My church hires out a choice of three rooms. Your toddler group would be a small hall hire and it’s about £12 ph. I am shocked at the price some pay for toddler groups, assuming there in expensive boroughs of London or something similar.,

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 03/02/2022 11:46

Maybe they want the group to fold?

Iluvperegrines · 03/02/2022 11:46

But it is relevant. If the hall price hire has gone up do you want them to pay out of their own pocket? They don’t really have a choice but to raise prices. They will either attract a different demographic or they will fold but they aren’t going to pay to run it themselves?

choosername1234 · 03/02/2022 11:47

Wow...that's a crazy price. I attend one that is £2 per child but that includes tea, biscuits and LUNCH for the children. And I live in zone 2 in london.

EL1984 · 03/02/2022 11:47

I think £5 is a bargain!! The two toddler groups we go to are £18 per time and £30 per week for a swimming lesson 😅 no biscuits or tea st any of them.

I would also say 15 kids is quite a lot to attend, especially in covid times when everything has been restricted in numbers for some time.

£5 is worth it to get out of the house and provide some entertainment for them, especially in winter.

Gizacluethen · 03/02/2022 11:50

@JustWonderingIfYou that's crazy!
It's 6 quid for a toddler at a place called GoBounceXtreme here, it's a huge trampoline park and softplay. And paying for a toddler let's babies and adults in free. For 2hrs play.

And it's £1.50 for my under 1 at our local small softplay.
Where are you? I'm north east England

Purplependant222 · 03/02/2022 11:51

Maybe you could offer to look for grants for the group? If it’s ran by volunteers their skillset mighty be organising activities/social or only have a couple of hours a week to donate.

Do they have to pay for DBS for the volunteers as they’re not cheap either.

Original poster
NotMuchNotice · 03/02/2022 11:52

I think £5 is a bargain!! The two toddler groups we go to are £18 per time and £30 per week for a swimming lesson 😅 no biscuits or tea st any of them.

Thats where you live though. It is absolutely not a bargain for where I live.

They will either attract a different demographic or they will fold but they aren’t going to pay to run it themselves?

There is no different demographic though? It's a deprived area with huge levels of poverty, even those who could afford it will be unlikely to pay as there will be many other groups they can attend offering the same thing for much less.

Also if that's truly the reason then why not be honest? Why not outline the reasons in the email?

OP posts:
Gizacluethen · 03/02/2022 11:52

Our amazing swimming lessons with 6 kids to an instructor are £17.
Feeling quite grateful to where I live now!

CountessOfSponheim · 03/02/2022 11:54

It's obviously potentially relevant.

Hypothetical scenario 1:
They don't pay for hire of the hall. The £2.50 charge currently goes towards biscuits and cleaning supplies, with a small donation to church costs. They've just decided to double the cost because they want fancy biscuits.

Hypothetical scenario 2:
They do pay for hire of the hall. Up to now the £2.50 charge has enabled them to pay for hall hire and biscuits but the church has just told them that hire rates are going up significantly from February and at £2.50 they'd no longer be taking enough money to cover costs.

These are clearly different situations -- and there's a wide range of intermediate options between them, too.

Absolutely if they're doubling the price they should be explaining why, though.

gillsareforfish · 03/02/2022 11:55

To be honest whether or not they pay for the space isn't really relevant surely.

Of course the cost of the hall is relevant.
If it cost £25 to hire the hall
£3 for teas coffee and milk
£3.50 for insurance
that's £31.50
If only 12 kids are going at £2.50 that's only £30
There's a loss of £1.50 per week.
The deficit has to come out of someone's pocket.

notacooldad · 03/02/2022 11:55

I think £5 is a bargain!! The two toddler groups we go to are £18 per time and £30 per week for a swimming lesson 😅 no biscuits or tea st any of them
Its not a bargain if you live in a deprived area!! £5 is a huge amount if money for a toddler group in my area. I think pre covid it was £1.80 near where I live.

Katieandthekids · 03/02/2022 11:58

Per child? That is a lot. Ours is £2 per family and there is a volunteer chart for cakes and biscuit bringing so the group provide the hot drinks. Works well and very popular. £5 is a lot considering £7-8 would get you a swimming lesson for a toddler?!

Katieandthekids · 03/02/2022 11:59

@britneyisfree

I wish I could find a toddler group for so cheap. The one we go to is £7.50 for 45 mins!
Is this a led class though?
JustLyra · 03/02/2022 12:00

@Purplependant222

Maybe you could offer to look for grants for the group? If it’s ran by volunteers their skillset mighty be organising activities/social or only have a couple of hours a week to donate.

Do they have to pay for DBS for the volunteers as they’re not cheap either.

Standard and enhanced checks are free for volunteers. It’s only basic checks that cost and they are not necessary - if they need one then it should be standard or enhanced.
Snozwanger · 03/02/2022 12:03

I go to two different toddler groups and they are £2 each for between 1.5-2 hours. One of those is very generous with snacks but doesn't have crafts. The other is run by a teacher and she sets out two different crafts each week so obviously there is a cost attached to the materials but I wouldn't ever expect to pay as much as £5 per session.
I think you wouldn't be unreasonable to ask why there is to be such an increase (they should have explained in my opinion). They will be getting a shock when no-one returns.

Eddielzzard · 03/02/2022 12:04

I think such a massive jump is unreasonable, without a good explanation. Seems to me that they don't realise it'll put people off, so I wouldn't go. Just too high-handed really.

FFSFFSFFS · 03/02/2022 12:09

I bet it’s run all by women yes? It says a lot about how womens time and energy is valued doesn’t it?

If that’s the cost that’s the cost - it doesn’t sound like
Anyone is making obscene money from it -
As opposed to all the soft play and commercial enterprises people are happy to fork their Mel y out to….