Marbles at preschool?

I definitely wouldn't be happy with this and would even consider reporting to Ofsted as it doesn't sound like they've got a decent understanding of how to keep the children safe.

Marbles and pennies are definitely unsuitable for under 3s.

Even for 3 & 4 year olds I would expect marbles to be under close adult supervision - adult sitting with children while they play with it rather than it being free access.

I hate marbles full stop.

Follow your gut, don't use that nursery. You'd never forgive yourself if something happened and nursery staff are usually very good but are also so relaxed about things like that as it's their normal and they've probably never had a choking child (thank god).

You are better being called an ott parent by the nursery and putting your child elsewhere. So what if someone says you're ott? You know your child better than any of those nursery staff and any of us on here so go with the best decision for you and your dc. Would you be able to settle knowing he's in that room without you there?

The nursery I used had marbles in the 3+ room which I didn't feel comfortable with but thankfully dd was an age where she understood my lectures about things in mouth!

I'd still say something even if you're not going to go there. Seems a bit silly of qualified early years practitioners

I wouldn't be happy with the marbles at that age! I'm only just trusting my nearly 5 year old with them. They are the perfect shape to get stuck into a little ones airway. Scary

My DD cut her hair (and her friends 🙈) in pre school using safety scissors in the split second that the teachers back was turned and they had a 4-1 ratio of children. I wouldn't have sent mine if they had choking hazards kids are just too quick

Sure, that's why you want to get them in the habit of playing with it 'properly'. Show them how much fun it is when the marble goes down the run and it reduces that chances of them putting them in/near their mouth. Habits can be broken. And when we're talking choking, it's worth the effort to try.

You can be "shown how to play" with something but if you develop a habit of chewing on things without realising you're doing it - and you're two or three years old!! - it won't help you if it slips down.

If it doesn't feel right, look elsewhere.

But I would also buy a marble run and teach your DS how to play with it properly. Also play money and craft stuff. He needs to be shown how to play with it properly to safeguard against accidents. No nursery or preschool will watch him 100% of the time so keep him safe by teaching him to play without putting it in his mouth.

Oh my god, no.
My ds absent-mindedly put things in or near his mouth til he was about 5.
No way would I expect to see marbles in a preschool.
You can get marble runs that use bigger wooden balls, but they are expensive.

I was a childmindet.No marbles for pre school children..

I work in a nursery and we do have a marble run, this is only to be used with children who have the understanding that they can’t put them in their mouth and only ever whilst supervised by an adult as marbles can be dangerous obviously. If the adult can no longer sit predominantly with the marble run it goes away

That would be a no for me as well. Huge difference between getting an activity out to do with kids with a constant adult presence, and something just left out for kids to use when they want with no direct adult in the sight line.

Marble runs will have age guidence on box as will play coins definetly be at least 3 plus personally I would raise it will management and tell them that is why I am not taking the space as if this is used a staff member should be at the table not just in the room.

If they weren't even closely monitoring the use of small marbles round 2 year olds I would report them to be honest. That sounds extremely dangerous. I'd also mention the potential understaffing.

I wouldn't be happy with that either that's a serious choking hazard and toys in a nursery should be choke tested, marbles certainly would not pass.
Also there should be more than one adult in that room assuming that there are more than four children in the class as the legal ratio is one adult to 4 children with 2-3 year olds. There's no way one adult can keep a close eye on all of the children at the same time to make sure they aren't putting marbles in their mouths.

If it comes up in conversation, mention it. If not, then leave it.

Big no no.

DD is 4 (almost 5) and I've only just let them play with a marble run. She does still put things in her mouth.

Go somewhere else. I wouldn’t trust them if they can’t exercise simple common sense about choking hazards.

I wouldn't be happy about marbles. I have several DC so youngest has always been exposed to little bits associated with play sets but marbles and small bouncy balls are a no from me. Really surprised they would have that. Seems more appropriate for reception age and even then with supervision as some will no doubt put in their mouth at that age.

@ AccidentallyOnPurpose
The op says
However, there was a marble run set up and the kids had access to marbles

My reading of that is that the marble run and marbles were freely accessible to the children.