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Original poster

Pre-school parent rota - charging parents for no-shows

117 replies

ponygirl · 05/01/2006 20:29

Our pre-school has just (re-)introduced a parent rota system and we have instituted a fine for parents who do not show up for their rota-ed sessions. Our understanding was that other pre-schools operate this system, but a parent has rung our chair today and claimed we are breaking the law.

Does anyone know where we stand on this?

OP posts:
paolosgirl · 05/01/2006 21:04

Why not? If you can take your child to these things, then surely you can help one night every few months?

gigglinggoblin · 05/01/2006 21:04

i have helped out at beavers, and was told all helpers have to be police checked first even tho we are never alone with the kids (that may just be our district i suppose)

i dont agree you should have to volunteer and it would put me off. maybe something like offering a free session for each session the parent helps at would be more of an incentive than fines

paolosgirl · 05/01/2006 21:04

So what else would you suggest instead of fining?

mykidsmum · 05/01/2006 21:05

Not trying to tell others what to do may be a start,

paolosgirl · 05/01/2006 21:05

Gigglin - that must just be your area. Our local groups don't insist on you being checked.

starlover · 05/01/2006 21:06

some people may work while their kid is at pre-school! they can't help

mykidsmum · 05/01/2006 21:06

But don't you think they should be checked ?? I know some parents who i really wouldn't want looking after my kids

paolosgirl · 05/01/2006 21:06

Actual consequences of not taking your turn on the rota might be.....?

hercules · 05/01/2006 21:06

I cant help at preschool because I work all day. I cant help at beavers/cubs because I used to have a meeting that went on until shortly before he needed pico picking up and I now have a toddler to look after in the evening.

lockets · 05/01/2006 21:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Aloha · 05/01/2006 21:07

I'd send my child to a proper school or nursery where there were qualified staff.

lunavix · 05/01/2006 21:07

This is truly bizarre. Ridiculous.

And I say this as someone who works with children, has children, would help at pre-school, and volunteers for Brownies.

Why force parents to help out? If they wanted to work in childcare they'd be bloomin well getting paid for it. They're paying you to look after their kids, they aren't paying you for them to look after them themselves.

hercules · 05/01/2006 21:07

Dd doesnt even go to preschool as taking her there would be a hassle.

paolosgirl · 05/01/2006 21:07

No - because they are not left alone with the children at anytim. They aren't allowed to be.

hercules · 05/01/2006 21:08

Trouble is even paid helpers arent always very good.....

soapbox · 05/01/2006 21:08

Paolo's girl - I don't think you've quite got it. We're not saying think of another penalty if you can't do your rota turn. We're saying that rota turns are in fact a big turn off. Recruit from people who are happy to volunteer and then your no show rate will drop dramatically IME!

hercules · 05/01/2006 21:09

exactly soapbox. It would be like being told off!

mykidsmum · 05/01/2006 21:10

I bet that isn't always implemnted though, can still think of some parents i wouldn't want near my kids

nutcracker · 05/01/2006 21:11

I think it is a bad idea.

soapbox · 05/01/2006 21:12

It brings me out in a sweat the mere thought of it. All those bossy comittee type parents, rushing round the playground after you, clipboard in hand, won't take no for an answer, eager bloody beavers. [shudder]

It's has the same effect as being cornered on the street by one of those paid charity collectors. I immediately put that charity down as one I have no intention of supporting in the future.

NomDePlume · 05/01/2006 21:13

'chuggers', soapy

paolosgirl · 05/01/2006 21:14

I think I have got it. I have 2 kids, I work and I am happy for them to go to after-school clubs etc etc. I am also more than happy to take my turn every so often, and I do this by taking leave, or ensuring I or DH schedules our work diary around our turn on the rota.
What really hacks me off are parents who never, ever take their turn of helping, but are more than happy to sit back, let other parents cover for them, and have their kids attend all these groups. If you're not happy to help, then you shouldn't send your kids to that group - find another where parent helpers are not required.

soapbox · 05/01/2006 21:16

Is that what they are called

I wonderder what the equivalent term for the professional parents would be?

Puggers?

Paggers?

chatee · 05/01/2006 21:16

i help run a rainbows unit and the ratio is 1-5, unfortunately we could only recruit two leaders prepared to run the unit every week so in our constitution we had to include
"when registering your daughter with this unit you as the named parent signing the consent form are also committing to assisting with one session each term"
we have a parent rota and the parents know that if they fail to turn up on their evening then the session will be cancelled.....we do have one emergency back up helper but so far so good we have had no problems with any of our parents and we have a HUGE waiting list

soapbox · 05/01/2006 21:18

I think clubs are entirely different from pre-school BTW!

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