Angry at Lollypops! Do I complain?

We took Sam to Lollypops this afternoon after my MW appointment and DP left us there while he went to an appointment at the bank.

Sam just happens to be one of those kids that touches everything he isn't supposed to and although I do get to relax a wee bit while he is playing with the toys, he will often get distracted and curious about the party rooms or the toilets or any switch or button that he can find.

I had gone to get myself a bottle of water from the cafe while he was busy playing, thinking he would be ok and then literally two seconds later I see him opening the fire exit door and walking outside onto the road!!   It was NOT locked, and there was NO alarm like the sign on the door said there was.     I was about five metres away from him at the time so I had to run to catch up with him and bring him back inside.   He had already crossed the road.   Thankfully there were no cars around but Lollypops Hamilton is in the middle of town so there easily could have been.

Two staff members and at least four parents were just standing there while he went out the door and they did NOTHING.    The staff member who saw him do it just brushed me off and said 'oh that should be locked'.

I went to find the manager about five minutes later and she didn't know anything about it and her excuse was that 'Oh the electrician must have turned the alarm off while he was fixing the lights'.    There was an electrician there at the time.     I am assuming that the alarm has a backup system if it has no power and why was it just the alarm that was turned off while they were fixing the lights?   The fire exit door was nowhere near where he was and he wasn't using that door to get in and out of.

I am so angry! They didn't apologise to me at all!   After the manager talked to me about the electrician, she went to check the door and said that the alarm was on and the door was locked so 'Was I sure he actually got out the door?'   Of course I am sure, I chased him across the bloody road!   So I am assuming the staff member who saw him get out went and locked the door straight afterwards and didn't even tell anybody.

We are teaching Sam about being safe around cars and roads but he is still only 2.5 and often when I say 'COME HERE', he runs in the opposite direction.    Lollypops is meant to be a secure, safe place for kids to play and for parents to relax.    I am not going back there ever again.

Is it my fault for not watching him better? Or should I make a complaint?    I'm so upset, he could have been run over or gotten lost! What if I didn't actually see him get out of the door?!

i would be making a complaint.

while yes some people might say you could have been watching him better, there is no need for the staff members to be rude and dismissive like that.

Even if its just for peace of mind...and make sure you make the complaint to the owner and not the manager, especially since the manager blew you off as well.

I'd complain, that's so bad on so many levels... the concept of the place... the safety of the children... the safety of the adults...

hell yes you complain!

Yep complain complain complain, and if they don't listen talk to John Campbell about it

I would complain the alarm should of gone off, better that that a child missing. Some parents are so stupid also, I would have stopped a child if I saw them walking out like that.

It is suppose to be a safe environment for a child to play in, no matter how busy they are at touching & trying things.

I agree with the ladies above.  It is supposed to be safe, secure environment - it should be escape proof for small children.  If complaints haven't worked at local level, go higher - maybe to the people who sell and manage the Lollipop franchise. 

Complain!! Thats not really good enough, they shouldnt be making excuses to you. Imagine if something had happened to him (doesnt bear thinking about). This should be a wake up call that it is dangerous if a 2.5 yr old can get out and onto the road so quickly.

Absolutely complain! That is disgusting!

What everyone else said. Complain. Its not your fault babe
Thats appaling service I'm not going to lollipops no more