Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask nursery not to let my child play outside when it’s dark out

192 replies

Singlema99 · 19/11/2024 23:02

I collect my child from nursery at about 5pm, often children are playing outside however this time of year it’s almost black outside from 4pm and at home my child knows he can’t play in the garden after dark the same way I wouldn’t take him to the park in the dark.

would it be unreasonable to ask the nursery to keep him in from 4pm

mainly because the message is confusing but also often he’s not adequately dressed to be outside not wearing gloves and hat and has been happy but freezing several times picking him up.

OP posts:
DangerMouseAndPenfoldx · 19/11/2024 23:14

Why would you not let him play in the garden or the park in the dark?

Unoexpress · 19/11/2024 23:14

Just make sure he's dressed appropriately for the weather. My kids love playing out in the dark it feels extra fun & wild.

Littletreefrog · 19/11/2024 23:13

What is the dark going to do to him? Why can't he go in the garden in the dark at home?

If you think he is cold ask them if they could put a hat and gloves on him but to be honest being a bit cold but happy every now and again isn't going to harm him either.

NewName24 · 19/11/2024 23:12

Why are you teaching him to be scared of the dark ? Confused

But, as a pp said, children cope very well with having one rule in one place and another in a different place.

YABU

BarbaraHoward · 19/11/2024 23:12

And yes, YWBU to ask nursery to keep him in when the rest of the room are out. It's a group setting.

MartinCrieffsLemon · 19/11/2024 23:11

There's no vampires in the dark

Let him play outside

Just make sure he has hat and gloves but he might take them off by choice anyway!

StarDolphins · 19/11/2024 23:11

I chose a nursery based on how much time they spent outdoors! I think it’s good for them. Dark, light, drizzle, snow, sun, I was fine with it all.

Quite often now we’ll go into town at night wandering round!

I would say as long as he’s adequately dressed, outside with his friends is good. Maybe have a word about putting his hat/gloves on.

BarbaraHoward · 19/11/2024 23:11

This wouldn't bother me at all.

Kids understand very early on that the rules are different at home and at nursery so that aspect is fine.

And there's nothing wrong with playing outside in the secure nursery garden in the dark.

sunshineandshowers40 · 19/11/2024 23:09

If they are supervised I don't see the issue- isn't it good that they are outside?

GrazingLamb · 19/11/2024 23:08

Mine would lie on the grass in the dark and look at the night sky!
Why is he not allowed in your own garden in the dark ?

Starlightstarbright4 · 19/11/2024 23:08

They learn different rules different places ..

I used to c/mind Ds’s best mate …

He understood when he was there as a minded child he couldn’t go in Ds’s bedroom as soon as minded hours were over if he stayed as a mate he could . That’s an example but he adapted well.

ThinWomansBrain · 19/11/2024 23:07

Presumably the outside play is supervised.
Why are you so intent to make your child scared of the dark?

RosesAndHellebores · 19/11/2024 23:06

I can't see the issue with him playing outside in the dark. Maybe mention you'd like him to have his hat and gloves on but even that wouldn't bother me.

I used to take mine out to look at the stars on a clear night tbh.

doodleygirl · 19/11/2024 23:05

What Do you think is going to happen to your child in the dark? YABU

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/11/2024 23:05

He needs to be dressed appropriately but being outside in the dark won’t do him any harm.

FanofLeaves · 19/11/2024 23:05

Send him in with appropriate clothing and ask that he wears it. The rest of it is just madness on your part. I’m sure he is supervised and the outside area is lit.

LovelyBitOfSquirrrel · 19/11/2024 23:04

Children don’t need to be sheltered from everything, being outside in the dark is fine.

Not being dressed suitably is the issue.