I didn't consider that parents' requests for their children not to be named alongside the photograph and nursery details would cause a problem. But after the photographer had taken the photos he became extremely hot under the collar when I declined to give him the names of the children pictured.
I was told that it was company policy and if I didn't give the three- year-olds' names, the photo would not be printed.
I refused to give in and later rang the newspaper's picture editor, explaining our reasons for not wanting children's names and details of where they go to nursery printed. He actually said, 'You have absolutely no basis to your concerns' and added, 'Phone any police station in the country, no child has ever been abducted from a nursery or school because their details have been printed in a newspaper.' I asked to speak to someone else and was put through to a newspaper director, who also was of the opinion that I was being paranoid.
I was stunned at the blinkered attitude. Isn't prevention better than a cure? And shouldn't that be the parents' choice?
It seems that if a parent wants the excitement of seeing their child in the local paper and they don't want every little detail about them given as well, then it's tough. No one at the paper would take me seriously and would not consider changing their policy.
I urge other nurseries and schools to consider this issue before organising a photo shoot; check with the paper first and argue your point! I am interested to hear from others on this matter.
* Toria Redfern, managing director, Ark in the Park Day Nursery, Newton Abbot, Devon
