Nursery sensory play - am I being paranoid?

[LadyA26]

My dd started nursery last week, age 24 months. On day 1 while I was staying for an induction day, I saw that in her room (with approx 13 other children same age) there was a table of dried uncooked penne pasta and rice which is there to be scooped up with spoons and bowls and played with.

I could see my dd was chewing on it (I guess naturally as pasta has only ever been presented to her as food, especially with spoon, bowl etc..) and also some other toddlers who are regulars there were also trying to eat it so it wasn’t just a novelty thing for my dd.

Am I right to consider this a choking hazard in a nursery setting , and therefore it would be taken seriously by the keyworkers there if I raise it with them as a real worry for me, or does it sound like I am being paranoid ?
I am genuinely concerned about it and tend to think better to be safe than sorry.

V grateful for your opinions. Thanks.

[delphguelph]

Er, no you're not being paranoid, massive choking hazard.

[Goldenbug]

Fine.

Penne is tubes. Not sure how that can block an airway. And there's not much difference between dry rice and cooked rice. If it really worries you it'll be best if you change nurseries.

[pinkandorangeorchids]

You're being ridiculous

[itsaboojum]

If an issue at concerns you, raise it at nursery.

[putputput]

As pp said - penne would not be a choking hazard as is a tube. Rice is too small to block airway so again, not a risk.

[PurdysChocolate]

This would not bother me. I don't see how either is a choking hazard.

[peppapigkeepsthemquiet]

I tell you what IS a choking risk, and they used to have it at a nursery I worked in..
Raw jelly cubes and popcorn.
I wouldn’t have a problem with penne pasta or uncooked rice 👍🏻

[Lindy2]

I think dried rice, pasta etc is a fairly standard sensory play material. I don't see how it's a particular choking risk. It's probably less of a risk than when it's cooked.

[Cachailleacha]

Yes, you are being paranoid. I think it would be easier to choke on cooked pasta.

[QuirkyKate]

On the subject of hazards rather than sensory play, circular cut carrots and cucumbers are a danger. Ofsted prefer sticks.

[LadyA26]

Thank you all very much for your replies, much appreciated !

[chamchick26]

Most nurseries would use this as sensory play.
It is absolutely always ok to raise your concerns at nursery and you must, you're leaving your precious cargo!
You are being a bit paranoid, but any good nursery will be able to listen to your worries and reassure you .

[Gloopy]

24 months... So 2 years old. Your child is 2 years old. Not 24 months...

[ItchyKondera]

I remember once my DS scared me silly :)

I changed his poo nappy and it was full of all these little things, they looked like maggots, i was freaking out! I looked at one more closely and it was rice!

He'd eaten handfuls of the coloured play rice at nursery the day before - seems the colour comes off, but the rice remains! Phew

[SoyDora]

Uncooked pasta and rice are common sensory play materials used in nurseries/play groups etc. It’s not something I’ve ever been concerned about.
Makes me gag a little when they eat the cooked pasta used in sensory play that loads of other kids have had their grubby hands in though!

[Lost5stone]

I read it at 24 weeks and thought that was batshit. But yeah 2 years old wouldn't be worried. My DD is 2 and would only put it in her mouth once, realised it's shit spit it out and just play

[SleepingStandingUp]

24 months... So 2 years old. Your child is 2 years old. Not 24 months...

Well she is 24 months too, so does it really matter. People use 2 years to mean anything from not quite 2 to 3 so she's simply being accurate

[itsaboojum]

Probably 25 months now. This thread started early September.