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Unfair Terms in Nursery Terms and Conditions
Comments
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Equally, those in charge of educational establishments do have to regularly deal with parents who exhibit those traits. Those whose sole aim is to get their own way, and who often have a very blinkered, self centred view of what education is there for, or who it seeks to serve, and cannot understand that "duty of care" extends to all children, not just to theirs.
Indeed they do, but the competent ones don't say such things in an e-mail. We must bear in mind also that this establishment is not free. The parents have to pay fees to them to educate their children. This should give parents a little more say in the way the service is provided. There are very few service providers who get to call all the shots, all the time and it seems to me that nurseries tend to be comfortably over-arrogant in their approach, when dealing with parents. They often believe themselves to be untouchable, when it comes to providing poor customer service and they think they can hold your children's futures at hostage.The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark0 -
Indeed they do, but the competent ones don't say such things in an e-mail. We must bear in mind also that this establishment is not free. The parents have to pay fees to them to educate their children. This should give parents a little more say in the way the service is provided. There are very few service providers who get to call all the shots, all the time and it seems to me that nurseries tend to be comfortably over-arrogant in their approach, when dealing with parents. They often believe themselves to be untouchable, when it comes to providing poor customer service and they think they can hold your children's futures at hostage.
I think that would very much depend on whether the accusations were supported by evidence in the form of the tone and content of the original complaint. I think that if the letter did indeed evidence those traits then the Director was well within her remit to say so. I agree it seems quite strongly worded, a response would have been considered, so I would doubt it was entirely unwarranted. We cannot fairly judge as we haven't seen it.
I agree about service providers, however, again, that depends on the contractual terms agreed at the outset. Little point agreeing a contract and then saying they are wrong for trying to enforce it. No one is forced to sign a particular contract, although to me the terms outlined by the OP seem pretty standard for child care providers, and it has been that way for years.0 -
MikeAtkins wrote: »Oh - even though he is not attending on for the two weeks - we also have to pay the same rate as if he were still in nursery? I simply can't understand why I have to pay for his non-attendance.
This is the same for the childminders and us - but I don't have a problem with it. We pay for the holidays when I, as a teacher, am not at work so usually have my daughter.
We could go to a childminder and pay "drop in" rates, but they would work out at way more - for the childminder/ nursery it's the trade-off for security of income that they charge less.
The email seems wrong to me, and I'd reply to that, professionally pointing out it does not help foster a business relationship, but a threat to "go to the media" is actually quite immature in this case.Can we just take it as read I didn't mean to offend you?0 -
This is the same for the childminders and us - but I don't have a problem with it. We pay for the holidays when I, as a teacher, am not at work so usually have my daughter.
We could go to a childminder and pay "drop in" rates, but they would work out at way more - for the childminder/ nursery it's the trade-off for security of income that they charge less.
The email seems wrong to me, and I'd reply to that, professionally pointing out it does not help foster a business relationship, but a threat to "go to the media" is actually quite immature in this case.
I agree and it is possible the reason why the director wrote what he did; to get his excuse in, before the OP has a chance to calm down and approach this from a more considered perspective.The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark0 -
Sorry, but I think this is BS. I'm not saying it never happens but your opening line suggests it's widespread. It's not.
It most certainly is, where headteachers are so incompetent in their jobs, that they rely on their ability to wind parents up, so they will paint themselves into their own corner.The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark0 -
Equally, those in charge of educational establishments do have to regularly deal with parents who exhibit those traits. Those whose sole aim is to get their own way, and who often have a very blinkered, self centred view of what education is there for, or who it seeks to serve, and cannot understand that "duty of care" extends to all children, not just to theirs.
This is certainly true. I would argue that leaders of educational establishments should consider though that parents really do love their kids, and therefore any "blinkered" attitude is because of this.
It's often much easier to start from an "explanation" standpoint - we often have to discuss how it affects other children, and to be fair, why should a parent worry too much about that (and we don't want them to - we want them to understand it).
I'm thinking of several real situations, but I don't really want to post them on here because I know one or two people know me in real life.Can we just take it as read I didn't mean to offend you?0 -
It most certainly is, where headteachers are so incompetent in their jobs, that they rely on their ability to wind parents up, so they will paint themselves into their own corner.
How many incompetent headteachers have you directly worked with to the extent that you've been able to see them "wind parents up"?
I've worked directly with 9 (in the same school) and indirectly with dozens. I know of one incompetent head, and he didn't wind parents up. Well he did, but that's because he was incompetent rather than his attitude to them directly, and he was removed from his post after 18 months in charge.
Your default position seems to be that those in charge of educational establishments set out to wind parents up, which is nonsensical on every level, including if you consider possible motive, opportunity, and experience.
edit: Now I've re-read that it seems like I don't believe you - that's not the impression I want to give; I have no reason not to accept what people say - I'm trying to compare our experiences! If yours is from one educational establishment, or one person, I can understand your perspective but think it's wrong to assume it's a default position.Can we just take it as read I didn't mean to offend you?0 -
This does not sound very considered to me, it sounds like a knee jerk reaction to a confrontational discussion about the provision of a service. It is quite possible that the director manipulated the OP into being somewhat aggressive in their response in order to accuse them of being as described. It is very possible that the director was politely asked to consider the request but gave a blunt, "no." Perhaps adding a few impolite reasons why. Thus causing the OP to respond in a similar manner. It wouldn't take much for the director to then exploit the emerging tone, to suit their own agenda.
With respect, you cannot judge that without knowing more of the facts. Your posts come across as being written by someone who has or has had, issues with educational providers, and so your views are being coloured by that.0 -
It most certainly is, where headteachers are so incompetent in their jobs, that they rely on their ability to wind parents up, so they will paint themselves into their own corner.
And incompetent Heads are commonplace are they?
Not in my experience, and few, if any, Heads I have ever met would set out to wind parents up. It is counter productive, time consuming and unnecessary.
The one incompetent head I have known did exasperate parents by his stance of being "all things to all men" and never saying what he really meant. He was eventually removed as his style was not compatible with the requirements of the school. He had, in business parlance, been promoted beyond his capacity.0 -
And incompetent Heads are commonplace are they?
Not in my experience, and few, if any, Heads I have ever met would set out to wind parents up. It is counter productive, time consuming and unnecessary.
The one incompetent head I have known did exasperate parents by his stance of being "all things to all men" and never saying what he really meant. He was eventually removed as his style was not compatible with the requirements of the school. He had, in business parlance, been promoted beyond his capacity.
I wonder if you know the same person as me!Can we just take it as read I didn't mean to offend you?0
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