Woodwork at nursery

[KnockMeDown]

OK, am feeling brave so posting in AIBU, but also because I am genuinely not sure if I am right to be concerned about this or not.

DD 3.4 goes to a fabulous nursery, where they do a huge range of activities, and in general, I completely trust their judgement. But she has just started doing woodwork, which involves hammering real nails into wood, through various metal bottle tops and other objects. The results feature nails sticking up to a height of 1-2cm. The nails are then covered with masking tape to make them safer.

I think I am ok about DD taking part in this activity, but not 100% happy. But I really don't think that a 3 yr old bringing home a piece of wood with nails sticking out of it is safe. The masking tape will not do anything if she was to fall on to the wood or lean on it with her hand. The first time she brought one of these home I did not know it was there - it was in a bag of other work, which was mainly drawings, as you would expect.

I raised it with the nursery at the time - her key worker said they would discuss it with the staff. The wood on that occasion was also very roughly sawn - a splinter waiting to happen. Today, she has brought another one home - this time smooth edges, but nails still sticking up, covered with masking tape.

So, am I being excessively PFB, or is this not something you would be happy with? All comments appreciated.

PS if I get my act together, will try to post pics of the offending article later.

[sparkle12mar08]

I think you are being a little pfb, yes. As a society we are so over cautious with our children these days, it's sad. As long as the nails are clearly visible (and it sounds as if they are) and the folder/items are being handed to you, I personally wouldn't get worked up about it. It's obviusly not something you will let her play with unsupervised at a later point, so I would just be grateful your nursery are doing something a little different, and giving children a feel for natural materials. You could also use it to chat to her about safety in an age appropriate way.

[CoffeeTea103]

Yanbu, I would also be uncomfortable with this. You definitely should speak to them again. How close are they supervised to ensure what not to do

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

YANBU - woodwork for 3 year olds? Utter madness...

[Jellybeanz1]

They should present it to you in a safe manner with warnings, it does make you wonder what's going on, sand papering is an activity little ones should be able to do with masks on - or couldn't they use balsa wood. My dd's montessori used to do it. Later I was interested in Forest schools and read a bit about them in Germany its not unusual for kids aged 3 to be allowed a big sharp pen knife for whittling away. They say it makes them safer. Cant say I was keen on that aspect. I took both mine to Sat. classes at B & Q when 7 and 9 years to use power tools properly. They do great classes and projects; like bird boxes.

[Mabelface]

I also think you're being a little overanxious on this. This will be a fabulous activity that will help develop hand/eye co-ordination and fine motor skills, and would be very well supervised. The nursery won't want to be putting children at risk and the children will be very well versed in what they can and can't do during the activity.

[thebody]

fucking hell!! as an ex cm I wouldn't want to do the risk assessment on this one. yanbu.

[Finola1step]

Yep woodwork in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Happens in our school but only under the very close supervision of the lead teacher. It's not that unusual. We however do not send the creations home.

[happystory]

We do this in our setting but children don't take anything home. They participate on a one to one basis, very very supervised but i can't see the value of taking home a bit of wood with a nail in it.

[Littlefish]

I think this sounds wonderful! I've heard of it at a number of nurseries. Where I work, we teach 3 and 4 year olds how to cut vegetables and fruit with proper sharp knives, and see woodworking as an extension of this. Proper tools, being used correctly.

[happystory]

X posts finola !

[KnockMeDown]

Ooh good - a range of opinions already

Please keep them coming...........

[juneybean]

I saw this in a montessori nursery and thought it was awesome.

[RedHelenB]

When I did

[RedHelenB]

When I did

[RedHelenB]

Early years P>G>C>E that was considered good practice!

[thebody]

your brave. my setting we used tweezers and peas, wool and threading shoes.

great for fine motor skills and my hair colour.

[Dobbiesmum]

It sounds great from a parents point of view but tbh from a nursery nurse point of view it sounds like something that would make me need a stiff drink afterwards! Small children with real nails and hammers, Jesus...

[OhBuggerandArse]

Brilliant idea. Yes, care needs to be taken, but that will teach them more that hiding potentially risky things from them ever will.

[cory]

Haven't got a problem with nails and hammers (grew up abroad) but they should teach them how to hammer nails sideways if they stick through a plank, so as to make them safe.

[KnockMeDown]

TBH, I think I am less concerned about the actual activity, which I am sure will be very well supervised, as I am about the bits of wood with nails sticking out coming home un-announced in a bag of stuff DD would normally happily review and play with by herself.

[breatheslowly]

I think they do this at DD's nursery as nails lying about on the floor is the reason that they wear shoes inside. I was a bit surprised, but it is a great nursery, so I've assumed it is ok.

[ToysRLuv]

I have a nearly 4 year old and that would make me sweat.

[Sinful1]

So your dd brought home a roughly made object that's in need of finishing? Time to teach her about surface finish.

together sand it down to be smooth and safe and take a file to the nail to remove the point.



Tbh though nails are blunt as fuck Teach her to take pride in making something that's of excellent quality rather than just "done"

[Tanith]

I once attended a council-run early years workshop on managing risk that encouraged us to use Stanley knives with the children!!

A step too far in my book, but we've used woodwork - carefully managed. I don't think I'd be sending the stuff home, though.

And you're right, thebody - the paperwork practically puts me off

[stargirl1701]

Quite common is most nurseries I have been in as a teacher visiting prospective pupils.