Parents warned by pre-school they will be fined £1 for every MINUTE they are late in picking up their children
Furious parents have slammed the new rule at Oasis Academy Limeside in Oldham as 'disgusting'
FUMING parents have been told they will be fined £1 for every minute they are late picking up their children from school.
Bosses at Oasis Academy Limeside in Oldham have issued a warning telling parents they will be charged for leaving staff waiting around at pick-up time.
And their kids could even lose their place at the school if they are regularly collected late.
Academy chiefs say the letter was sent out to express "how seriously" they take punctuality - but furious parents have slammed the rule as "disgusting".
According to the , the letter was sent out from a learning unit at the school, which runs a morning and afternoon session for two-year-olds.
It said: "Important: The unit needs to close between sessions in order for staff to have their lunch and prepare the classroom.
“When children are collected late staff have less time to prepare for the afternoon session.
“A charge of £1 is payable for every minute you are late to collect your child.
“Continuous late collections will result in your child’s place being withdrawn. Thank you.”
The school looks after 20 children, with some entitled to 15 hours free care a week under the government’s early education scheme.
One mum blasted: "I just couldn’t believe it.
“Sometimes you have to wait a few minutes while a member of staff collects your child from inside.
“Some people were even laughing about it yesterday. How are they going to enforce it and where is that money going to go?
“Is it even legal to charge parents for being late?
"I find it disgusting. We’re in a deprived area where there are a lot of single mums trying to get back into work. It’s ridiculous.
“Surely there must be an easier way to stop people being late.”
Oasis Academy Limeside Principal Helen Arya said: “Our pre-school staff run two separate sessions, one that ends at 11.45am and one that begins at 12.15pm.
“Due to the time constraints between sessions, when our staff can have their lunch and prepare for the children coming in the afternoon, it is important parents are punctual at pick up time.
“The letter to our parents earlier this week was to reiterate how seriously we take this issue.
“As ever, if any of our parents or guardians have any concerns regarding this or any other issue, they are encouraged to contact the academy directly.”
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