Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

school club staff eating sweets in front of children.....

19 replies

frangipan · 08/03/2009 16:55

My 2 ds's go to an out of school club which is on the school site but paid for privately by each parent, I pay approx £100/week but it varies on what sessions you have. I am already upset that they are charging us for when the club was closed due to school being closed due to the snow, however I am even more miffed that when I go to collect my ds's that they are sat watching tv (which ds1 hates) while 3 staff sit there with bowls of jaffa cakes and dolly mixtures munching away knowing that the children aren't allowed any (which I am fine about) but surely thats a bit cruel and they could eat them out of sight???
So, am I being unreasonably miffed????

OP posts:
MitchyInge · 08/03/2009 16:57

I don't know, do they offer you a jaffa cake when you show up? I could forgive most things for a jaffa cake or two.

laweaselmys · 08/03/2009 17:47

Is this everyday? If it was a one off there was probably a reason why they were having a treat and I would be happy to excuse them. (Staff leaving? Present from a parent?)

It would be a bit hard for them to supervise your DC and also be out of sight of them you realise.

slowreadingprogress · 08/03/2009 18:17

no that's bizarre that they would eat stuff that the kids aren't allowed. Very questionable.

The TV I wouldn't worry about because although your ds1 hates it, they have to provide that 'after school' atmosphere for kids which can include winding down, chilling out time in front of the telly - not unreasonable IMO...though they should surely allow him the opportunity to sit and do something else while it's on? Do they not?

Original poster
frangipan · 08/03/2009 18:53

laweaselmys ...no i did not realise that i thought they could see through the kitchen walls!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if the children can manage without eating then the staff can also, they shouldn't taunt them by eating sweets in front of them surely, this is most days in the past few weeks i have seen this and the boys moan about it too. i wouldn't mind if they ate fruit or something healthier that they could all eat and set a good example to the children?

OP posts:
Original poster
frangipan · 08/03/2009 18:57

slowreadingprogress-My ds1 asked if he could read instead of watching tv but was told he couldn't because they would have to put the light on in the tv room!
I asked if he could read in another room and they said no as 1 member of the 3 staff in the tv room would have to leave to be in another room with him, i understand all the h & s issues but there are only 12-15 children in the room!

OP posts:
slowreadingprogress · 08/03/2009 19:02

No, that's crazy - of course he should be able to read! They can watch TV with the bloody light on FGS! I would write in, personally, that is just outrageous.

Are you generally happy with the level of care or is this the latest in a long line of concerns? They are sounding pretty crap, TBH.

unfitmother · 08/03/2009 19:05

YANBU, that sounds very poor. Are there any other After school clubs nearby?
At my dc's there is an art & craft table, a dressing up area, loads of toys, a video on occasionaly, a quiet area and a male assistant playing football or netball outside.

mosschops30 · 08/03/2009 19:05

I do think your ds should be able to go and read if thats what he prefers.
But the sweet thing I find a bit bizarre, surely children have to learn that they cant have everything that adults have, when they have them etc. What next 'woman bought a magazine in front of my ds when I couldnt buy one' shocker???? Im sure theyre not waving them in front of the children in a sadistic manner

Original poster
frangipan · 08/03/2009 21:40

So I guess its a case of do as i say not as i do then?
this IS in a childcare setting not in a newsagents with my child, there is a level of professionalism involved here. They sit in open view of the children eating sweets, if I don't want my child to eat sweets before dinner I wouldn't sit there eating them myself, but thats beside the point. They are meant to be setting an example
I have put them on a waiting list at another club, just shows me the contempt they hold the children in and how much they care about the children, i think its selfish.

OP posts:
ellingwoman · 08/03/2009 21:55

That's probably why the light's off - they think the children can't see what they're doing

Why are they eating Dolly Mixtures though - yuk! Surely the children don't covet those?

edam · 08/03/2009 23:11

Sounds like a very poor after school club. Mean of the staff to sit there stuffing their faces with sweeties that the kids aren't allowed. Downright wrong that they stop your ds reading.

Sounds like the kids aren't actually allowed to do any activities, they just have to sit in one darkened room watching TV while the staff guzzle sweets. Madness.

moondog · 08/03/2009 23:12

YANBU but then most school staff are fat, greedy and ill disciplined so what do yuo expect?

edam · 08/03/2009 23:29

Why, Moondog, what a little ray of sunshine you are tonight. What have ALL teachers and ALL TAs and ALL dinner ladies done to incur your displeasure?

unfitmother · 09/03/2009 18:32

Shock Shock Shock

spokette · 09/03/2009 18:47

YANBU with regard to the paucity of activities at the club.

YABU about what the staff eat. Children are not allowed to drink alcohol. Does that mean adults should refrain from drinking in front of children too?

dangfando · 09/03/2009 22:26

"YABU about what the staff eat. Children are not allowed to drink alcohol. Does that mean adults should refrain from drinking in front of children too?"

At an after school club? Hell yeah!

Mspontipine · 09/03/2009 23:35

Sounds absolutely crap I agree with you - and to pay £100 for that!!!

One of my most vivid memories of the nursery I went to (the crappiest nursery in the whole world - still bring it up to shame my mum every so often even now 35 years on) was the owner sitting in front of a room of us children eating a walnut whip. I remember us sat there transfixed like drooling dogs.

Yes they should be setting a good example. Let them eat their crap in their own time.

oopsagain · 09/03/2009 23:38

lol, spokette.
Knock 'em out

oopsagain · 09/03/2009 23:40

I suspect it would be an infringement of the staff's human rights to not be allowed to eat sweets when they so wish...

or something equally as bonkers.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page