My Little Ponys Taken At School

[binkacat]

Just wondered what I can do?

My 5yo took 3 My Little Pony's to school last Monday. I probably shouldn't have let her but she reckoned all the other girls were taking a few in, etc. Anyway we have learned a lesson now.

A girl in the year above came up to her at playtime and said she wanted them and would bring them back the following day. It sounds like DD was intimidated (understandably) into handing them over to an older girl.

Anyway, give this girl the benefit of the doubt maybe they will come back. The next day at school this girl had them in the playground and wouldn't even let DD play with them let alone gave them back. Ditto the next day.

So Thursday I send a note into the teacher and on Friday one pny comes back. Am still missing 2 ponys - DD is upset and I can't replace as these ponys are no longer made and one was her favourite.

Do I just accept they are gone or do I find out the phone number for this girl's mum and ring her up? thanks

[KBear]

Make the school sort it out - definitely. Lesson learned early for your DD though - don't take precious stuff to school!

[kid]

send another letter to the teacher explaining that one has been returned but 2 are still missing. Hopefully they will be able to get them back.

[Saturn74]

Go in and chat to the teacher - I'm sure they will be able to speak to the older girl's parents and get the ponies back from your DD.

[Saturn74]

"FOR your DD"

Doh!

[Radley]

which pony was your dd's favourite?

[binkacat]

Sparkleworks was her favourite. Maybe if it doesn't turn up I will have a hunt on ebay.

Part of me thinks maybe I should be firm and not get her a replacement and explain thats what happens when you don't take care, etc. But its not as if she lost it, she is a trusting girl and thought she would get them back. I've explained now about not giving toys to other kids to take home (apart from 2 best friends who's mums I know). I probably should have explained that before. I feel guilty myself, first child and stuff like this is a bit new to me as well!

[kid]

I think DD has some ponies somewhere in her pit of a bedroom that she doesn't look at let alone play with. If you don't get the ones back from the other girl, I can hunt these down and let you know which ones they are.

[sinclair]

Sorry I don't think it's school's responsibility to sort this out, unless she took the toys in at their suggestion, for a project or something. Not sure if they are allowed to pass on phone numbers etc - but they will probably allow you to put a note in the other child's bookbag. But I would approach the other child's parent or whoever picks her up in the playground and try and sort it out face to face - sure the mum will be mortified (I would be!)

[binkacat]

Thanks Kid thats very kind. I'll let you know if I don't have any luck.

You would have thought this mum would have noticed that her dd has brought back some ponies that don't belong to her. I certainly would have done and made sure they were returned asap.

[binkacat]

I don't know what this kid looks like and DD can't point her out to me in the playground as this girl comes out the back school door and DD comes out the front. So I can't talk to the girl's mum.

[flack]

Did the teachers/school know your DD had brought them in? If so, and if they didn't make a big effort to get her (& other toy-bearing kids) to put the ponies in trays/book bags all day, then I really think that the school does have some responsibility. Enough that they should be willing to help you get a message to the mother of the other child, anyway.

DS school is pretty strict about them not taking toys in, I'm glad about it now, reading your thread.

[princessmel]

After you have collected your dd go round to the other door quickly, and ask your dd to point her out. I'd def speak to the mother. Maybe she doesn't know the girl took them home without permission. Also speak to the other girls teacher. My son lost his fave bedtime doggy recently and was v upset so I know how sad she must be. Kind mnetters found replacements on ebay for him!
If she takes anything in again put a huge name tag on it. I name everything!!! That way the mum of the other child is more likely to notice that its not theirs.

[binkacat]

The school allow toys to be brought in and they're put in a tray in the classroom. But at breaktime/lunchtime the kids are allowed to take the toys out to play.

I wish they didn't allow toys but already at age 5 there is a culture of "if you don't bring toys in then you won't be allowed to play with us tomorrow" from the other kids. At least thats what DD tells me....

[daisy1999]

I stopped my dds taking toys in because of this but I don't feel it's up to the school to sort it out. I think it's the risk you take.

[SSSandy]

Leave a letter for the teacher of the other girl's class explaining what happened. This is the school's business because this is not the way bigger dc should be interacting with smaller ones - which I would point out in my letter.

[Blandmum]

Sorry, I don't think this is the schools repsponsibility at all. Most schools activly discourage bringing toys into school, unless for a specific reason.

If you ask the teacher she may be able to help, but you can't expect the school to organise the return of loans etc. it isn;t their job.

[flack]

Yeah but martianB, binkacat is saying that the school isn't banning toys at all. That's the problem. They are in effect fostering a situation where children feel pressured to bring in toys (to fit in). I think we can totally agree that they absolutely shouldn't allow this to have developed.

I'd be complaining to the head, binkacat.

[Kelly1978]

can't you ask dd to point out the girl in the playground when you drop or collect her then approach her parents?
It is worth trying the school though, our school also allows toys in, but are very strict about not loaning/borrowing toys. When somebody took dd's doll, they did retrieve it for her after a day or two.

[mumandlovingit]

i would speak to the teacher, especially if the children are allowed to take toys to school.at my childrens school tey arent spposed to take any toys in therefore if they do and they get lost its the parents responsibility, not the schools.

[binkacat]

Well thanks for the advice everyone. The school passed a note from me to the girl's mum and the ponies came back yesterday. DD is thrilled to bits.

[kid]

glad there was a happy ending!

[RTKangaMummy]

Deffo brill

[Saturn74]

That's good news.

[princessmel]

yippee!!!!