MegaMum Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 Our Pre-school runs out of a village hall which is to undergo work very soon. I have just received notification from the chair of the village hall, that we are expected to move all equipment from our storage rooms before the first week of term into a shed, so the work can commence at the beginning of Sept. We are still on holiday at this time and also I wonder who will pay us to do this? I have also been informed workmen will be everywhere and the toilets we normally use will be under construction so we will be given a portaloo outside the hall! Can they do this? Don't we need more than one toilet and what about nappy changing facilities? Also if work drags on I would hate to be taking children outside to a portaloo! Feeling so frustrated!!!! Quote
Panders Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 Look for other premises in the mean time perhaps. I think you would need at least two portaloos and make sure the builders can't use them. We are renown for working in the most odd of circumstances and our ability to make do is almost legendary, but I really do think a change of venue the best idea under these circumstances, would this be at all possible? Quote
narnia Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 IF you are running when the builders are in, you will have to make sure that you know who each builder is, and sign them in to your visitors book and ensure that they do not go anywhere near the children, even if they are signed in......................... 1 Quote
Inge Posted July 26, 2014 Posted July 26, 2014 one toilet for every 10 children will still apply if you decide to stay open.. along with all the issues of unknown people in building and access to room , equipment etc.. Why they did not think and get it done when you were closed could be a question to ask them!! That is what our hall used to do.. Maybe you need to consider closing or alternate venue.. depending on how long it is due to last.. Quote
MegaMum Posted July 26, 2014 Author Posted July 26, 2014 Moving to another venue is impossible as there isn't anything (we've looked due to problems with them before). Originally our toilets and storage space was to be completed first during the summer holidays, but then they said they wanted all the work doing at the same time. If we close we will lose our children and perhaps staff. I rang LCC for advice yesterday and under the new statutory requirements we no longer have to abide by the 1:10 toilet rule - it's left down to us to decide now. I still will insist on 2 but it will be a pain if it is raining or we go into the colder weather. County were initially concerned about safeguarding issues, although reassured when I told them no one will be able to get into our rooms during our operating hours as we lock the doors for security. Not impressed with moving everything into the shed and then back again - no one will want to do this unpaid and it doesn't seem fair Pre-school will pay for this on an already tight budget. Should I suggest taking it off the rent - although the chair of the VH told me they do things for free, so she expected us to. I did remind her they were all voluntary and we weren't. Not sure the builders have to sign the visitors book if they aren't entering the Pre-school rooms. Am I wrong with this? Quote
narnia Posted July 28, 2014 Posted July 28, 2014 Well, megamum.................don't bother to get them to sign, and risk the wrath of Ofsted if they turn up. I had people doing work outside.........all signed in, told o ladies who they were and where they were. When one of them walked round the side of the building, I was told that was an immediate breach of security. I am waiting for my report so i can appeal it. The biggest 'laugh', if there is one, is that one of the chaps is a solicitor, the other is a policeman.............with responsibility for safeguarding! Quote
sunnyday Posted July 29, 2014 Posted July 29, 2014 MegaMum - what a complete and utter nightmare for you....... How incredibly inconsiderate of the Hall Management Committee - can you not meet up with them and explain what a difficult position they are putting you in? Bet you are their biggest source of income too. I would be very concerned about these 'portaloos' - certainly could not have 'builders' using them - so I would be insisting that you have at least 3 - 2 for pre-school and 1 for the builders - sited way apart too...... Quote
MegaMum Posted July 29, 2014 Author Posted July 29, 2014 Sunnyday..... the builders get the children' loos. The children get 1 portaloo..... great eh? And the chair of the VH is a retired health visitor!!!! Quote
sunnyday Posted July 29, 2014 Posted July 29, 2014 Sunnyday..... the builders get the children' loos. The children get 1 portaloo..... great eh? And the chair of the VH is a retired health visitor!!!! Oh dear........ No chance of meeting with the 'whole' Management Committee? Have to say that I had to make sure that I was well and truly part of our Hall Committee - I am hon sec + I handle all bookings - it's a pain but I have to 'protect' my own interests 1 Quote
Panders Posted July 29, 2014 Posted July 29, 2014 Oh dear........ No chance of meeting with the 'whole' Management Committee? Have to say that I had to make sure that I was well and truly part of our Hall Committee - I am hon sec + I handle all bookings - it's a pain but I have to 'protect' my own interests She's a wise owl that Sunnyday! 2 Quote
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