To think nurseries should appear neutral when it comes to politics

[VeterinaryCareAssistant]

I get the bus to and from work most days and the bus stop is in front of a nursery. The nursery is currently displaying two large posters of a candidate running in the general election. One is directly on their front door and the other is in their front window.

I think nurseries should appear impartial, don't you?

Everything, everywhere is saturated with politics. The news, social media, walking down the street, what comes through the post. Your child’s place of education and play shouldn’t be used as another base for a singular opinion on more political bollocks. Because that’s ultimately what it is, no party has shown itself to be willing to save or overhaul early years or general educational provisions beyond a few meaningless sound bites.

And yes we can all take a gander at the political party in question, but quite honestly at this point that same party could be offering open access to Hogwarts with a free unicorn per child and people would probably believe it at this point…

It's a candidate for Portsmouth from the Conservative party that they're supporting.

I just think that everyone is entitled to their vote but that places like schools and nurseries should be neutral.

Maybe the staff don't vote Conservative but because the nursery owner obviously does it reflects on them.

It's a candidate for Portsmouth from the Conservative party that they're supporting.

Well then. I’m wondering if most of this thread still thinks that’s fair democracy now or should the Tory voting bastards be shut down by morning 🍿

The business owner has every right to display support for a candidate.

I have every right to think the business owner is an idiot.

You have no skin in this game. It’s not your child’s nursery.

It’s considered fairly normal to send a child to school with a very strong religious affiliation, where for example children say prayers, read the relevant text daily and attend acts of worship. Why is a simple poster in a window, for a mainstream U.K. political party, that the children are too young to even read, such a big deal?

I'm obviously in the minority.

I think it's absolutely fair for a nursery to tell parents about the problems they have and what they need from the next government. So a more subtle approach to getting support via parents' votes. But I don't think they should be displaying posters that canvas for a particular candidate or party.

If I was a parent who was opposed to that candidate or party, I'd feel that the nursery was anti-me, and I'd no longer feel welcome there.

I don't like any workplace that takes a particular party political stance, even if I agree with it. Presumably not all those nursery workers have the same political views, yet the nursery is giving the impression that it's the whole nursery's stance.

You know what a school's religious ethos is before you apply for a place for your child, and you've accepted it. And assuming it's state, it's free.

If I chose a private nursery, was paying the owners large amounts of money, and then two years later I discovered via a poster, that the owner is supporting and encouraging me to support Reform, I'd be really pissed off. And only very slightly less pissed off if they were canvassing me to vote Tory. That's not what I signed up for.

You are not wrong OP. But then this is MN. Had you said nurseries should remain neutral, I saw a nursery window with posters for the Tories today, you would have got very different answers.

There's a massive worry of kids experiencing extremism and being radicalized nowadays . I know a Labour poster is nothing like that, but kids need to be kept out of politics and be influenced. It all starts small

You've worded perfectly my thoughts.

Inappropriate on what basis? How does it impact their ability to look after your child? Unless they’re indoctrinating the kids I’m utterly baffled as to how it’s even relevant. What about if they have a charity collection when there’s more than one charity, should they be neutral in all respects?

Private nursery can do what they want but they are daft to do this

They will piss off some of their customers.

Now that they are 'political' they will find it hard to justify a neutral stance on other things.

Legally it’s a private business and they probably can and whilst it’s your party you probably wont care much but I do think it’s inappropriate to bring a nursery into political campaigning.

A private business can do what it likes but I wouldn't like to be giving business to someone canvassing for say Reform - so not a wise move on the nursery's part.

Well exactly , I find it exasperating that parents wish to co-opt their kids into their own politics. It’s like brainwashing. I also don’t trust anyone to talk neutrally to my child about politics, everyone seems to be constantly in either convince/denounce mode.

Nursery is supposed to be a lovely warm safe place for kids to get ready for reception, learn some stuff and have fun and make friends. That’s it’s purpose.

Of course as private establishments they have a right to do whatever they want within the law. I as a parent would avoid any nursery that made any kind of political statement, whether it aligned with mine of not.

Totally agree! Not appropriate

This is the second "how dare X professional express a political view" thread this week. In my experience people who get angry about politics being mentioned in daily life are the ones who don't like to be reminded that their actions in the ballot box have consequences for other people.

We live in a high immigration (current and historical) area, I’d think it would be a bit more than a ‘conversation’ sparked if my youngest’s nursery put up posters for the local Reform candidate (for example). No the children have no idea, but many parents could feel alienated by the nursery’s personal political campaigning.

And that would be the nursery's (poor) decision to make. In that case it might lose them business if people have other options.

But they still have the right to do it. And I don't see any reason why they should "have" to appear neutral, just because they're a nursery rather than any other private business.

When I became a childminder under labour government. All the mandatory training was free. Registration was about £45, and crb around £30. And I got a £500 start up grant.

If a nursery supported Reform, I'd want to know so I could remove my child.

Definitely.

Shutting down political debate always works well, doesn't it.

It's a private nursery. If they want to express an opinion, they can, and should.

Private Business Supports the Tories Shocker! 🥴
Of course they can display whatever posters they like.
You can take your kid out if it's that important to you. You won't though 🤷

If they are choosing to support a candidate based on issues that directly affect the nursery, then surely, as a parent using that nursery, that's useful information to have?

Nursery closures are up 50% in the last year.
Government has increased the ratios for two year olds from 1:4 to 1:5.
Uk has the most expensive childcare in Europe.
Pay is low it at starts at 14k and average is 19k.
Nurseries should absolutely be able to express a view rather than sit quietly while children are put in danger, parents are ripped off, staff are underpaid and the companies themselves are folding.
OP surely you have noticed the impact of conservative policies on nursery costs, staff ratios, nursery places? Is it something you want to change?

Did you read the post where the op said the nursery is supporting the Conservative candidate? Evidently their view is they have no issue with continuing with this government…