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Original poster

Nursery Christmas play - is this usual or am I just a bit naive?

28 replies

Sixofone · 29/11/2007 12:47

Ok so this is dd's first Christmas at nursery, so forgive me if it's the norm as I am not 100% sure how these things work but..

We had a letter come home the other day saying the children have been practising hard for the Nativity play which is on such and such a date.

If (note the if) your child is selected we'll expect you to make their costume for them. (I am guessing this is the norm.)

And then, if you want to come and watch them, you have to buy a ticket costing 50p each...ermmm excuse me? Is this the same nursery that I am paying £50+ a day for that now wants me to pay for a ticket to go and watch my child in the nativity play?

Is this really the norm? Makes me feel quite sad that they have denigrated it to a moneymaking opportunity when they already charge so much. What are your experiences?

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Original poster
Sixofone · 29/11/2007 12:48

I meant to add, dd is too young to take part and it's not the money, I am tight but not so tight I can't afford 50p but it is the principle.

OP posts:
castille · 29/11/2007 12:55

We paid about 50p to see DD1 in her (state) primary school Christmas play, but not DD2's private nursery one.

I'd be a bit too, I think.

docincognito · 29/11/2007 13:01

I would be that your child might not be selected. The ones who aren't will be heartbroken! My dd's nursery nativities had ALL the children involved. Yes we had to makea costume, but as dd already had a fairy dress, which did for an angel, it wasn't a problem.

We didn't have to pay for tickets, and we all got FREE drinks/ cakes afterwards.

HuwEdwards · 29/11/2007 13:03

Normally if they do this, the money goes to charity.

S101 · 29/11/2007 13:06

You need to ask why they are charging an entrance fee to go and watch the nativity.

If the manager can't answer this, then make the suggestion that if they are really going to charge a private nursery when you pay high fees anyway to send your children there. Then they must donate all the proceeds to a named charity.

If the nursery want to profit from this then it is not on. I worked in a number of private nurseries before as a teacher. They just invited the parents along, okay they did try and restrict the number so all the relatives didn't turn up due to room space. But they never charged and laid on a drink and mince pie for parents.

Not on charging, for a private nursery.

SoupDragon · 29/11/2007 13:09

I never had to pay to see DSs nursery nativities and every pre-school child got a part.

RubySlippers · 29/11/2007 13:11

why aren't all the children included? I would be more cross about that

agree, you shouldn't have to pay for a ticket, but if you do, it should go to charity

RubySlippers · 29/11/2007 13:11

our nursery didn't charge last year and they laid on drinks and nibbles

francagoestohollywood · 29/11/2007 13:16

No, we don't pay a ticket to dd's private nursery. They usually include all the children in the show. The nativity scene is usually for the oldest children, the little ones usually sing two songs on their own and then join the older ones in other songs.

Original poster
Sixofone · 29/11/2007 13:23

Thanks all, my gut feeling was that it wasn't on to charge, and it definitely isn't going to charity as when it does, the letters always say. I am going to have a chat with the head of the baby unit later about it, see if I can find out what it's all about

OP posts:
Desiderata · 29/11/2007 13:26

It's not the principle ... it's the money

oliveoil · 29/11/2007 13:27

I think I paid for dd1 in her nativity last year at playgroup, but is was a fundraiser as they are a reg charity. £1 a ticket or something

every child was involved, bit mean to only pick certain children at that age imo

bluenosesaint · 29/11/2007 13:29

DD was at playgroup last year (fee-paying unless you qualified for 3/4yo funding) and yes, we paid 1 pound per ticket. All the proceeds went back into buying resources for the playgroup so i didn't mind.

bozza · 29/11/2007 13:30

DD's day nursery play will include all the children aged 3+ - ie all in the pre-school room. It is free and costumes are provided.

DS's state school play will include all the KS1 children (have different ones for foundation and KS2). Tickets are £1 which goes towards costumes and lighting and again I don't have to provide a costume.

bluenosesaint · 29/11/2007 13:30

Also about not every child getting a part ...how awful!

AB1 · 29/11/2007 16:26

changing the subject a bit, is anyone planning on buying Christmas gifts for the staff at nursery and if so any good ideas. I really like the staff at my nursery and would like to do something but am not sure what is considered the norm

MumtoCharlotteMay · 29/11/2007 16:32

I remember when every kid used to get a part in the nursery/school plays - no matter how many of them there were! There would be 50 stars/angels/fairies dancing around! That's really awful. And YOU have to make the costume, wtf? And then you have to PAY to get in? I'd change nuresry lol!

I'd be pretty too.

Desiderata · 29/11/2007 21:17

Yes, it was 1970 when I first appeared in a nativity play, and the whole class was in it.

I was an Egyptian, waving a fan. It only dawned on me quite recently that an Egyptian was a bit incongruous in a stable in Bethlehem. I mean, it's a fair old ways to travel.

bossybritches · 01/12/2007 23:14

We're having a (simple) nativity at our nursery & I wouldn't DREAM of charging (if it WERE for charity it should be stated clearly) We provide mulled wine &mince pies/coffee

All the children -even the babes- have a role, it's non-speaking just simple songs more of a musical tableau really.

We have asked the parents to help with costumes & pointed them in the direction of ASDA who are doing lots of simple costumes for about £5-8 or asked them to make one but NOT to go to great lengths/expense.

We strictly keep it to parents only as well as it overwhelms the kids otherwise.

This should be a celebration of a special time of year not a fundraising excercise

(sorry didn't mean to rant)

nurseryvoice · 02/12/2007 09:41

We are having a "show" it is really just some singing with props.

one of my staff did suggest that the parents pay? I said why? I said if I was a parent I would be slightly miffed....
So I said we were not to charge.

Sometimes people cannot see the point of view of a parent/customer..

bossybritches · 03/12/2007 12:29

Exactly NV- it's nice to give them back something really, I feel.

They'll be in the loop of fundraising & putting their hands in their pockets soon enough at school!!

Original poster
Sixofone · 03/12/2007 14:41

Thanks nurseryvoice, I think you are right.
I mentioned it politely to the head of the baby unit, who will pass it on to the nursery owner, no doubt it won't do any good but I am egging on some of the other mums to do the same x

OP posts:
bossybritches · 03/12/2007 15:18

Six you are the customer as NV said & you need to voice these opinions.

I would far rather a parent had a quiet word than grumbled about it & was unhappy!

TiggyD · 09/12/2007 20:05

As a nursery worker I've been in lots of nurseries where this sort of thing has happened. I dare say lots of staff are a bit embarressed about it being a pay event.

It seems silly to ask for small amounts of money for something that will greatly please your customers.

Charity would be OK.

micegg · 10/12/2007 13:30

Our nursery had a christmas party for each room so they could do something appropriate to each age group. IE Nativity play for older kids and something less structured for the little ones. We didnt have to pay and got free mince pies and drinks. Seeing as I pay almost £60 per day for her to go I would have been miffed if they gad expected money.