DC filming for TV program, problem with the nursery

[Pending653]

NC as its outing if another parent from the nursery sees this.

Last week a popular children's TV show got in touch with my DC's nursery by email and asked whether any of the children would be interested in taking part in an upcoming program as two kids were needed. The email asked for any parents who's children are interested to contact the team on the email given. The nursery manager then forwarded that email to parents asking if anybody was interested.

I asked my (two) DC and they said they would love to, they are 3 and 4 and both enjoy the program. They love the hosts.

I sent an email to the team saying we were interested and we scheduled a zoom meeting to introduce the kids and get a bit of information about filming. We were the first to apply.

I tell the nursery manager we are taking part and have a meeting scheduled, she then tells me she would prefer if I didn't put my DD forward, just DS, as she wants another family to have the chance to participate and she thinks DD would be too shy.

I'm now in an awkward position as both my DC want to do it but I've been made to feel as though I'm stealing the opportunity from another child.

The zoom meeting came and I took the opportunity to ask whether it would be possible for three children to participate and explained the issue, said the nursery told me there's another child who wants to do it so could they include them too, the team said that should be fine. Happy days.

I update the nursery manager to tell her that all is fine and it looks like they'll have 3 kids and not 2, so my DD can still do it.

She then comes back and says no and that she's going to be 'firm' but she doesn't want me to submit DD's details as she has chosen two other children to participate now - not just the one I was aware of who wanted to take part.

I was caught off guard and didn't know what to say so I just said right ok have a chat with the team and come back to me.

I received the consent forms today to fill in and they're asking for both of my children's details.

I explained the issue I was having with the nursery and suggested they have a chat as it was all getting quite confusing, but gave them my DS' details and filled in the forms for him accordingly.

Looking back at the initial email the team explicitly said for any families interested to contact them personally, which I did. There was no indication that the nursery would be choosing the children either from the nursery manager herself or the team!

My poor DD is going to be gutted. I don't know what to do?

Am I being unreasonable?

DS took part in a CBeebies production when he was little, it was a really nice experience for him and his classmates.

It sounds like NM had already made promises to other parents and has now been caught out in actually not having as much sway as she thought she did!

The tv company will choose who they want

The producers pick who is in it not the nursery manager. Fill in DD's details! Fair enough if she isn't picked but you can't be unfair on your own kids. Don't discuss with the manager anymore incase she has words with the prod compa - none of her business!

As others have said, production crew will deal with all this. You have to move fast, you know what you want and some participants end up being totally wooden. They will be v used to walking over all the egos to get what they are need and leaving the hurt feelings behind them, plus it may end up not being used. I was all charm and focus, though long time ago and with adults. Sadly if the manager ends up being miffed then she will probably vent to the production company and the emails will be unanswered. But it is not your problem and it may be there will be other parents or kids who also reply and end up being in the edited result

Show biz is not very fair. However wholesome they seem, at the audition stage, lovely children's TV programmes can also be a bit of a beauty pageant for littlees. The whole scenario and process is probably best avoided, if you don't want very young children to be passed over and rejected and disappointed. The nursery manager should have thought of this and worked with the production team to sort out a process which doesn't lead to hurt feelings. I can't avoid the feeling that she is favouring another family for reasons of her own.

N.M. is bonkers. Why should your DD be taken out of selection just because she has a brother ?

I think it’s incredibly unprofessional of the nursery manager to say that to you. She forwarded an email. She may get a say in who would be good performing as such but she won’t make the final call. If the company wants siblings then that’s up to them. They will screen and meet as many children as they want before they make their final decision. The nursery manager clearly doesn’t understand the process- if 3 children apply then it doesn’t mean 3 children will get it.
If she says anything more- after the holidays- then I would challenge her on it.
Of course your 3 year old would be upset if she was left out. She would get over it but doesn’t mean she wouldn’t be sad about it at first.

It's up to the tv company who they want and who would be best. Nursery worker is probably friends with the other parents. Ignore and carry on with DD's application too

NM is a nut. I wouldn't be talking to her anymore about this - why does any other child get to cut ahead of your kids when you've done what they asked and got in contact. Wonder if NM has a child about the same age and wants her kid in it... It's all nonsense anyway. Hope your two get picked & I hope she gets stuck at every red light till Christmas.

DS was on The Slammer when he was little - he had a great time! That was a whole class thing, though - the school just said this is happening, sign here if you are ok with your child taking part ... Same thing with DN and the Christmas lectures - he actually got hauled out the front and experimented on but no auditioning though, they just needed an audience of the right age.

The nursery manager is a loon, and will have missed the bus anyway if she waits for her special doing-things day before responding, by the sound of it. You did the right thing. It's the production company's choice!

Nm wants who she wants,to portray a kind of shopkeepers windows effect for her nursery. What she wants people on the outside to think of her nursery.

I think what the pp was saying was that the NM wants one child from each family to maximise the number of families who get the opportunity. When she thought only 2 kids were allowed that was 2 families. You then told her three kids were allowed so the NM wants 3 families to get the opportunity.

If all these somewhat sinister assertions against the NM are true - then the OP has a bigger issue to address than a flipping casting opportunity, namely if she wants her two children in a childcare setting managed by someone that according to many PPs on this thread - leverages situations to advantage her own interests, a control freak, more focussed on promoting her business than what’s in the interests of her charges - etc!

If it’s the show I’m thinking of we had a similar email be circulated at my work a while back. They contact LOADS of workplaces / nurseries - these are just facilitators for passing on the casting call opportunity from the production company. It’s fuck all to do with them who actually gets chosen - the NM is massively overstepping here! It’s actually nothing to do with her who gets picked.

*If all these somewhat sinister assertions against the NM are true - then the OP has a bigger issue to address than a flipping casting opportunity, namely if she wants her two children in a childcare setting managed by someone that according to many PPs on this thread - leverages situations to advantage her own interests, a control freak, more focussed on promoting her business than what’s in the interests of her charges - etc!
*

On a sliding scale I'd say the NM falls at the Annoying/Irritating point rather than 'Sinister.'

Over the years my kids have thrived under the care of people who made some decisions I found very annoying. OP can see the big picture here and doesn't seem concerned about the overall care her DC receiving.

I can't avoid the feeling that she is favouring another family for reasons of her own.

They always do and the fancier the nursery, the sharper the NM's elbows. It's quite hilarious considering that they are running a nursery. But they think they are very important people because they are in position of power over our precious babes. OP, you have got this, MN is rooting for you and your two lovely kids.

I can't avoid the feeling that she is favouring another family for reasons of her own.

They always do and the fancier the nursery, the sharper the NM's elbows. It's quite hilarious considering that they are running a nursery. But they think they are very important people because they are in position of power over our precious babes. OP, you have got this, MN is rooting for you and your two lovely kids.

You then told her three kids were allowed so the NM wants 3 families to get the opportunity.

But it's not about the families. Only children are involved in it, it's not any more fair for someone else's child to get it than it is for the OPs DD unless the parents are looking for bragging rights.

I've had confirmation from tbe producer herself that my two have got the part and she's arranging our transport to the location🙂

That's good!

Yay! I hope you all have a wonderful experience.

How exciting

can you make the show

Awww that's lovely OP

I was about to post don't get your Hopes up but don't need too
Hope your DCs have Fun

Ahhh so exciting!

NM will be fuming 😂

Hope they have a great time