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Original poster

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE REFUSED CHILD THE TOILET

18 replies

mrspoppins · 08/12/2006 00:36

I WAS SO MAD!!!!
My young charge of just 3...today actually!!...is potty training though we aren't using a potty but you know what I mean!
He is just cracking the art of telling me he needs a poo before I can smell it!!
We were in the Early Learning Centre in Tunbridge Wells when he announced " It's coming I really need a poo"
This shop...very small...used to have a fabulous toilet facility so I said to the assistant, could you tell me wher your loo is please and was told that there wasn't one now that he could use and perhaps I could try one in BHS!!!
We hadn't got time to go to BHS otherwise I wouldn't be asking
I implored her but to no avail and he pood himself just as we were heading to another shop
I think it is utterly unreasonable for a store to disallow an emergency toilet stop ESPECIALLY when it is a children's store and you need to spend time in there browsing
Am I the one being unreasonable??
xxK

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whensantagotstuckupAITCHimney · 08/12/2006 00:39

you are not being in the slightest bit unreasonable. i'd do a big fat complaining email to head office.

selee · 08/12/2006 00:41

I would be HOPPING MAD - How totally stupid and unreasonable, I can see why you would be so cross!

Skribble · 08/12/2006 00:41

Were they horrible about it or apolgetic?

I used to work in Mothercare and we let small children and pregnant mums to use the staff loo, but could only do it if there were other staff on the floor as we had to take them away through the store room and locked doors and wait and bring them back.

Is the public loo totaly gone, perhaps the staff one is just not accesible and they might not be allowed public thorugh the back. Seems crazy to take away a toilet facility, if it was being abused they could have kept a key at the till.

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Skribble · 08/12/2006 00:42

Def go to head office as store staff probably didn't have much choice.

BahHunkBug · 08/12/2006 00:56

Oh, this happened to another MNer a while back - will see if I can find the thread!

Bastards - they're meant to be child friendly - I'm afraid I'd have said "here you are, darling, sit on this" and got him to poo in a ride-on toy in the shop

Original poster
mrspoppins · 08/12/2006 00:57

Yes, I am going to take it further. The staff member was really apologetic but I'm afraid that holds no water with me as apologetic or not, she forced a young boy to poo himself out of policy rather than common sense

still hopping mad!!!!

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Original poster
mrspoppins · 08/12/2006 00:58

ha ha ha ha ha

OP posts:
BahHunkBug · 08/12/2006 01:02

That's the thread I was thinking of - it's been deleted as it was in Chat - thank goodness for Google's cache

BahHunkBug · 08/12/2006 01:04

Pertinent post:

By Ladymuck on Wednesday, 13 July, 2005 5:03:45 PM

I emailed them asking if they could highlight which of their stores had toilets (and referring to this thread). Here is the response:

Firstly, thanks for bringing the feedback of other Customers on the 'Mumsnet' website to our attention. It's much appreciated.

We don't have Mother & Baby or "Customer" toilet facilities in all of our stores, due to the location, size and layout in some stores, yet where this is favourable we're happy to accommodate this facility.

If children do need to use the toilet, staff in our stores are more than happy to let them use the staff facilities.

In light of the discussion about this on www.mumsnet.com, this has been raised with the Store Manager of the Brent Cross Early Learning Centre, who will brief her team to make sure this doesn't happen again, and no further upset is caused to our 'little' Customers.

The Head of our Store Operations also read through the feedback, and doesn't want our Customers feeling this way, so she's also sent a brief out to all our stores to remind them that any children in need of the loo are welcome to use the staff facilities if the store don't have a Mother & Baby Room.

If you are part of this discussion group please feel free to pass on our comments and if anyone wants to talk to us, we're happy to hear from them. Our Customer Service telephone number here at Head Office is 01793 443322, or our email address is [email protected].

mamama · 08/12/2006 01:08

This is definitely a letter for head office job. How appalling. Am very

Let us know how they respond.

fussymummy · 08/12/2006 01:17

Our local TESCO, always used to let children and pregnant ladies use their staff toilets.

I asked if my 3 year old, who was bursting, could use their loo, and i was told they don't have one!!!!!!!!

I know they don't have one!!!!

They have about TEN!!!!!

Still wouldn't let her use it, so i had no choice, than to dump my shopping and she had to squat next to the car!!!

Had no choice, but she was upset doing this and i hated her having to go next to the car!!!!

These shops want your business, but flatly refuse to help you!!!!

Maybe we should have a thread to name and shame the useless stores!!!!!

Original poster
mrspoppins · 08/12/2006 01:28

Definitely...name, shame ,email and post the response thread. I'm up for that!!

Must go to bed now...have been babysitting for my work but need to be back there in 6 hours so should sleep. Will write first thing in the morning. Thank you for all your input and for the previous thread. I'll remind them of that !!

xxxxxKaren

OP posts:
MerryChipmonkAndAHappyNewey · 08/12/2006 01:31

LIDL refused ds1 and LIED about the toilets being blocked!!

magicstaronthefarawaytree · 08/12/2006 01:48

I would change messy child infront of till if it could be done discretly then leave them the offending nappy bag.

BahHunkBug · 08/12/2006 01:50

By PrettyCandles on Friday, 15 July, 2005 10:48:24 PM

I received a letter from ELC's head office today - here are a few excerpts:

"I'm sorry that you and your daughter have had this experience in the store.

"In most instances we pride ourselves in going the extra mile for customers but in this instance we've let you down, and I apologise for the distress and discomfort this caused your daughter.

"The Store Manager of the Brent Cross Early Learning Centre has briefed her team to make sure this doesn't happen again, and no further upset is caused to our young Customers.

"The Head of our Store Operations has also sent a brief out to all of our stores to remind them that any children in need of the loo are welcome to use the staff facilities if they don't have a Customer toilet or Mother & Baby Room."

And they sent dd some gift vouchers as well.

(That's also off the thread I linked to)

NannyL · 08/12/2006 19:33

happened to me as well... and my then 3 year old charge did a big wee all over their floor!

serves them right...

i ciarcasticalyh said "im terribly sorry he has now had an accident on the floor.... but i exepce that happens alot in this shop doesnt it?" and off we went to buy more trousers

(the 1st time id ever been brave enough to take him without a full change of clothes)

NannyL · 08/12/2006 19:36

BTW i have since traind my charges to say i need a wee wee now its coming etc...

so if i veer have to ask to use the loo.... i normally say shes desperate.... we can eiether use your toilet or your floor!

have not since been refused access to a loo when using that strategy

mustrunmorenakedthroughthesnow · 08/12/2006 19:36

Thats very interesting, as it was the Brent Cross one that this happened to me in too (well, not me that needed the loo IYSWIM!) They sent me to Mothercare; too far.Wish I'd done a Head Office letter now.

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