Childs Party

olive oil

Hi,
I recently booked a childs birthday party in a hotels play room. I was told at time of booking that there would be 2 members of staff on duty for party. When infact there was only 1. We had 18 children all mainly 6 but some younger. Toilets were outside this room and food was served in the public bar.
I have made strong complaint to hotel saying surely this cannot be allowed and cannot conform to appropriate child/adult ratio. There reply is that they were only facilitating the party and that the 18 children were my responsibility. I would never have booked if I thought this was to be the case.
Surely this cannot be. Can anyone inform me where I can find the law in regard to this.
Thanks a mill

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

I tend to agree with the hotel. They are not a creche or playschool so don't come under the requirements for adult to child ratios. You booked a room for a party and as such you carry the responsibility for the event surely. Unless you booked them in to a recognised children's club within the hotel, I can't see what you expected.

olive oil

Thanks for your reply,
It was a booking for their kidsclub. Not just a room in the hotel.

ScouseMouse

Have to agree. They rented you a room and supplied food. Did they claim to provide qualified childcare staff? Did they accept responsibility for the care of a load of kids? I would be surprised if they did. McDonalds do partys aswell but they dont provide care or ratios.

You hired a room with food. Thats all.

ScouseMouse

Just seen you post about kidsclub. Have you got a link to this so we can see what they offer and promises they make?

mrsbyrne

Did you sign a contract ? What did the contract say about providing qualified childcare givers?
If there was no contract then what does your invoice say? There would usually be a breakdown say
Use of SuchandSuch room euro 150
Food 20 * euro6.50= euro130
2* childcare providers @euro 20 per hour *3 hours=euro120
Total=400
I would be astonished if the responsibility for the kids was anyone but yours.

olive oil

Just to be clear, party was booked for hotels own Kidsclub, I have no link to the terms and agreements, their website says that they run private birthday parties and to contact hotel for information.
I was verbally told that there would be two members of their staff in this kids club and that the staff would do arts and crafts and play old fashioned party games with children and that kids could use all the usual climbing and indoor play equipment. There was only one staff member.
Looks like I am in the wrong and may just forget about it.
Thanks to all who replied.
p.s no invoice, receipt I have been told is being sent in post

mrsbyrne

Hmmm.I would write a letter of complaint to the Owner/Customer services. If you were told there would be two, and there was only one member of staff then you didn't get what was agreed.
Iwouldnt confuse the issue with child/staff ratios as those conditions relate to childcare facilities.
I think you were paying for two staff members to amuse the children, help bring them to the toilet etc. There is a difference.
Nonetheless. You didn't get what you were promised and I wouldn't let them away with it.