AIBU to think nursery staff should not cordon off a public playground?

My daughter's previous nursery used to take them to the park which we thought was a lovely idea. They didn't cordon off anywhere and took them in small enough groups that the kids were in groups and supervised for each piece of equipment (2 year olds). I agree you should email the nearby nurseries but I would also be positive and say you're not against using the park but other nurseries do this without cordoning off anything by having smaller numbers and more supervision so they need to find a way of achieving this without blocking public access.

Parties in the park are often suggested on here but I find them quite uncomfortable for this reason; it isn’t your park to host a party on.

Absolutely not! If they are not able to look after the children other way, then they should've stayed in the nursery playground! The nursery policy is for the nursery premises, it does not apply for the public places.

Nope I would have taken their ropes off the equipment my child wanted to play on. There is no need to do this. They shouldn't be taking a trip to a place that doesn't cater particularly for nursery trips, unless they think they can handle the kids in a public environment. Not sure what you can do though given you don't know the name of the nursery.

Well maybe, but this section is rarely used. I think they struggle massively for numbers tbh and disappear for a while.

As my children school does, put an adult in front of the gates and they should be wearing high visibility vests so you know which is your nursery children.

Its unnecessary and I find it hilarious they brought locks and ropes with them. Was it a class trip?

As a councillor I can tell you that this is absolutely not allowed.
Council public liability insurance…….

Sorry @XenoBitch that wasn’t for you

@XenoBitch
Forest schools are of great benefit to a lot of children.

I get that while they are using it but when it isn't in use, it seems quite excluding.

The forest schools round here pay for a licence to section off a bit of the woods

I walk my dogs in the local woods and the forest school has a section which they use, which has rope strung from the trees and signs saying to keep out and to keep dogs on a lead. It is barely even used - they don't operate there most days.

@XenoBitch i don’t want to reveal
where I live but if you Google Public Space Protection Order(dogs numbers) you will see some examples.

I work for a local authority, it is up to each local authority to manage their land as they see fit. Any commercial activity on public land is specifically prohibited through our governance. Licences are needed for any commercial activity which includes dog walkers, gym classes and nurseries using public space.

Fixed penalty notices are issued for people undertaking commercial activities in public open space by the enforcement team.

in Bristol any business using a park (including dog walkers) now has to pay an annual fee

If you see the nursery again, ask who they are.

So I spent almost a decade in nursery but there was only one where we used to use the park because our outdoor area was limited and the park was just across the road.

There were two gates. We do secure them I admit - however we secured them with elastic and a sign. It was effectively an elastic loop that wrapped round the gate latch and the pole a couple of times, attached to it was a laminated notice that said “Please still come in, this just stops our children opening the gate”. A staff member would generally be as close to the gate as possible anyway to ensure no escapees.

We never NEVER roped off equipment. Our children knew what they couldn’t use. We had restrictions on the swings and the fireman’s pole because of risk (and swings just take up staff who would’ve been better placed manning climbing children). Children knew what they couldn’t use, any child who broke these rules would’ve removed from equipment temporarily and stand with a staff member for a minute to understand the reason of safety. If we couldn’t man them well enough, we didn’t go. Simple. We couldn’t block the park from other children.

23 years as a nursery worker. That's bizarre what they should do is have a staff member at the entrance /exit. If equipment is not suitable for the ages they shouldn't be there.

Ha yes, I never understood why people would hang them in trees.

Public spaces are not up for commercial gain otherwise every park in the country would be plastered with hot dog stalls, people selling kids toys, home made cakes, hand knitted tea cosies, t shirts etc………..

A bold statement to make then.

Having poo bags , and using poo bags are two different things. As is taking a full poo bag and putting it in a bin or hanging it in a tree.

No that's not ok.

If they're not confident in their ability to supervise the children adequately in the area then they maybe shouldn't be there.

Sorry Xenobitch. Can’t help you as I am not a lawyer, and as I wrote before I don’t know if the dog walkers were acting illegally. Go and froth elsewhere 🐕🐩.

I am pretty sure any dog walker has to have poo bags on them now. That was made law a little while back.

Can you please post the legislation about dog walkers not being allowed to walk dogs in public areas. Thank you.

Yes, UK, England