Strictly no-maid policy in playgroups?

[Paolita]

I just received a reply from a playgroup in a very reputable institution that have a "Strictly no-maid policy". I am shocked at such statement, specially because I thought the playgroup was for kids, not for mommies. Have anyone dealt with this before?. I can not understand why they would not allow maids to participate in the playgroup, as in many cases they are the main caregivers of the children (for local and expats I am sure).
I want to debate this at the school, but I am not sure if this is one of the thousand unwritten-rules about maids in Singapore that everyone is aware except me?...(Like having weekends off for maids is also an outrageous benefit for helpers!)

Thanks for any helpful hints or comments.

[cbavasi]

A lot of times this is because they want the parents to be the active participant in the playgroup. I can't tell you how many classes I've been to where I am the only mommy (in particular, in Jakarta I was the ONLY mom in the Gymboree circle while all the parents sat outside in the viewing area and all the helpers were participating with the children.) It can also be nice for the parents to get to know other parents with children the same age. I've never come across a program where there is a strict 'no-helper' policy - so I don't think that is an unwritten rule - I think that is just the policy at that place.

[durain]

i think that's a darn good idea! parents should bond with their kids.

[QRM]

Good idea where is this playgroup? likewise i am about the only parent at our play group the rest are maids. recenlty a small boy came up and just pulled the hair of my 2 year old daughter and pushed her to the ground and all the maid just did was shrug her shoulders and carried on picking her feet.

[cbavasi]

recenlty a small boy came up and just pulled the hair of my 2 year old daughter and pushed her to the ground and all the maid just did was shrug her shoulders and carried on picking her feet.

When this happens I have absolutely no problems with reprimanding the child myself (and telling the helper to mind the child)... I still receive the shoulder shrug - but usually the child is shocked and behaves.

[familyof5]

not withstanding the disinterested maid scenario, its probably a good idea to have the parent there in case the child falls/is injured in some way.

[QRM]

and while on the subject another thing that really gets up my wick is when i put my kid on a small coin up ride with lets say three horses that spin around. All the maids, (and local parents) wait till the moment it starts and they all pounce and stuff the kids on it, without even a thank you or do you mind?

Dont get me wrong happy to do my bit for global warming and share the ride with other kids its just manners to ask first. or thank and offer to pay for the next afterwards

[durain]

and while on the subject another thing that really gets up my wick is when i put my kid on a small coin up ride with lets say three horses that spin around. All the maids, (and local parents) wait till the moment it starts and they all pounce and stuff the kids on it, without even a thank you or do you mind?

Dont get me wrong happy to do my bit for global warming and share the ride with other kids its just manners to ask first. or thank and offer to pay for the next afterwards

that is so true!!! and the worse thing is, the kid's parents are so darn rich with their designer goods/clothes but when there's a free ride, they all jumped into it. and you get no thank you or anything. it's like it's free anyway, so no need to acknowledge that i actually paid for the ride! this was in paragon.

me? i'm not rich, i just want to spend quality time with my kids.

[QRM]

Recreation clubs also have a no maids rule.