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

I would speak gi the council, assuming they are the ones who run it, and tell them.

The problem is it's hard for the council to do anything unless they know which nursery. But if it happens again find out and report.

Exactly that. So not only is their behaviour unacceptable because the playground is a public place it also creates new physical risks

YANBU - that would make me so cross. I've been at a kids event this morning, a playgroup/holiday kids group turned up. I was waiting with my kids patiently for their turn at doing the activity & this group just pushed in front & plonked the kids down! I was so annoyed!

They also couldn't keep track of all the little ones, it was so so busy and kids running everywhere. I wouldn't have been happy if that had been my kids, one of them could've easily run off & into the busy road.

Some of these groups seem to think they can do what they like & everyone else just has to go along with it.

This is a VERY good point - there was that really tragic case of a toddler who died on her first day at nursery due to a rope that had been left attached to a slide in the playground.

This is cheeky AF. Loads of nurseries go to the parks in my village and I've never seen this.

Another one that the nursery were unreasonable.
Public park means they have no right to lock the gates or make parts of the play equipment inaccessible for other children. If their risk assessment said these were too risky they shouldn't have gone.

There was a similar issue near us a few years ago and although the didn't rope things off they took such a large group of children the park it became inaccessible for anyone else. It was a holiday club and was there nearly everyday in the end I believe people did complain.

I would drop a line to whichever council is responsible for the play area. They won't want things being attached to the equipment even temporarily

@mumofboysinlondon Why didn't you just tell them that your children have the right to play with what they want and they should have a person watching so no kids go on the things they have deemed too risky. Not in a confrontative way but in a firm no nonsense way.

Ropes on climbing equipment are a hazard in themselves.

It's not on.

Local primary school used to take their Reception children to the local park next to the school. They would have enough adults to stand near each of the entrances to the fences off playground to prevent the little ones from leaving ... but NEVER prevented other park users from accessing the park or park equipment.

Not all of them. You don't have to pay to get into Flatford Mills for example. You have to pay to park which I suppose for many is the same thing, but if you were to be dropped off or walk there along the river you don't have to pay. Think it is the same with Dunwich Heath, and probably others also.

You are right and they were wrong. You can't just own a public park like that. If it's not safe for the kids, you don't go there.

This is totally not on. They have done it because their child to adult ratios are inadequate for proper supervision on public equipment. I would have spoken to them.

No that's not ok. I worked for quite a few years in childcare. There should be no need for them.to use locks and rope bits off because they should have the correct ratios of qualified child to ensure safety in the first place. If they aren't safe with just that then they should not be taking them out.

They can put up notices in the first instance and could send out comms to all local nurseries letting them know it's not allowed. We had something similar locally, but it was people exercising and not nurseries, and that's what our council did. I think they later had to threaten fines when some people ignored (was a long time ago), but they should be able to do something for starters.

😲😲

Oh wow!

That is NOT what I imagined at all, and is completely batshit crazy!

I, personally, would have encouraged my child to still use it if they wanted to (even if it meant removing their barrier), but I can understand why others wouldnt. I would have happily advised that it is their responsibility to keep their children safe/make sure they dont go on any equipment they deem unsafe.

The equipment cordoned off isn’t appropriate. If you encounter again I’d untie it and let children use it. If they speak to you say it’s a public park and your dc want to play. Ask for nursery name. Without a name I don’t see what council can do.

You have to pay to get into NT properties so seems an odd place to choose for a cheap party if the kids are just playing in an open space then eating.

Not on, speak to the council if they don’t like to hear it from you.

If the risk assessment said it was too risky they shouldn’t have gone not decided to block things off from the public!

We took our reception class on a trip recently which included time in the park. Staff positioned themselves around the park including any possible escape points. Staff and children had hi vis on so everyone was visible. Stopping others using the park didn’t even cross our minds - infact we reminded the children that others would be there too!

Im wondering if the cordon was as an indication for their children to stay within rather than for other children to stay out of?

Presumably it was an easily passable 'barrier'?

This happened in our park last year and lots of parents complained, I haven’t seen it happen since.

The nursery had walked over, set out bags/plates/cups on every one of the picnic tables in the park despite not a single person sitting down but said they had to be kept for the snack time and they cordoned off the park. I do get it from the nursery safety perspective but as others have said- it is not the nursery park, it is a public park!

I do think as prices rise more people will start doing similar not just nurseries. We were at a NT site near us a few weeks ago and every picnic bench in the park there had “happy birthday” banners/cloths/plates etc on, nobody sat down as kids were all running playing. Another parent had gone and asked at the reception if there was somewhere else people could sit as there was no space and the staff confirmed they don’t take party bookings so these people had just turned up and claimed the space😂