DS(10) left to play on trampoline without a net at an art class. OK or not?

[pastaandpesto]

DS went to a half-day art class yesterday which was held at the instructor's home. There were around 10 children taking part, aged between 8 - 12. All very well run, instructor was wonderful, all the kids looked like they had had a great time. Set up seemed quite professional - proper website, I signed a consent form.

At pickup time, the children had finished the class and were all playing together in her beautiful garden. DS bouncing on a trampoline with two other children. Personally I am not keen on multiple kids playing on a trampoline at one time, but to make matters worse there wasn't even a net!

I called DS off as soon as I spotted him and no harm done.

I'm now wondering if I should say something to the instructor. Surely lots of parents would not be happy about this? It seemed like an accident waiting to happen, but she seemed happily oblivious! Obviously people can make their own judgements about what they consider safe for their own families, but once you open up your home and offer paid-for classes, isn't this a bit of a risk assessment no-no?

He's 10, not a toddler!

I agree with malbecandToast
He is 10

Nets weren't a thing when I was growing up. Falling off a trampoline was just one of those things... Everyone is so precious nowadays.

I agree op. If they run a commercial business from their property, they will have to have insurance. In the provider's place I wouldn't want to be responsible for an injury. Did this happen at a place with a huge garden beginning with S?

Not sure why being 10 makes a difference? Children under 6 shouldn't be on trampolines at all - they don't suddenly become immune from injury at 10.
Trampolines are one of the major causes of serious accidental injuries in children.

It is risky, and if she has public liability insurance (which she should) then she wouldn't be covered for the use of the trampoline like that.

One at a time on a trampoline, it was hurt your joints if more than 1 is bouncing.

I think unfortunately as a service provider for children she has put herself in a difficult position here as if anything did happen she could be in trouble as I doubt she is insured for such activities.

However as a parent I love it when kids are allowed to be kids like back before everyone was too scared to let them do anything for fear of being sued.

I think unfortunately as a service provider for children she has put herself in a difficult position.

It's more unfortunate that she's happy to charge money for a commercial activity and couldn't care less about her client's safety.

When I was a teenager we regularly had 8-10 on trampolines all bouncing, falling off and landing on each other was half the fun, literally no one had a net.

But I also used to play out in the road unattended at 6…times have changed. I think if it was at a friends house I’d think it was ok, but I guarantee her risk assessment wouldn’t cover this. I think it would be fine to say you’re not happy for him to do this in future - or just tell your son not to go on again, at 10 he should be able to follow this instruction.

WeedingAClearPath, no, it didn't begin with an S!

See, I get that he is 10 and that is why I asked the question (some of the children were 8). But young kids in groups are often idiots and are not generally able to judge risk. I would say I am on the average-to-relaxed side of risk tolerance when it comes to my kids but a trampoline without a net does worry me. I once worked with someone (an adult) who sustained life-changing injuries falling from a trampoline without one, and several children who have broken bones.

Thinking about it, if there had have been an accident I would absolutely have held the instructor responsible, not DS - so I guess that answers my question.

I honestly can't understand the casual replies, I have a lot of doctor friends and none of them would even get a trampoline with safety net for their dc. It's wrong of the art class provider, share you concerns with them, their response will tell you if they can be trusted in future.