To ask the nursery about grace?

[Stangirl]

My DD (2) attends a nursery 2 days a week - since last October. I am very happy with the nursery and love the way the staff are with the kids. DD seems very happy there.

They just had a Mother's Afternoon where the mums were invited in to attend a music and movement session, facepainting, playing, tea with the kids. I went along and it was lovely apart for one thing - one of the children was asked to say grace before the sandwiches and said a few words thanking god. I was shocked by this as I had believed them to be non-religious - teaching and celebrating all festivals etc but not active worshipping. As an avowed atheist I am quite perturbed.

Would you ask them if this is usual and if they are teaching them grace?

You're easily shocked and perturbed.

As Agent says...

grace? said a few words to a non specific made up person god and you want to talk to them?
Get a grip and I say that in the most sisterly atheistic way.

I agree I wouldn't be happy about this. Different if it is linked to a church or religious school. But in an ordinary nursery I don't think this should happen unless they have made it clear to parents before their DCs start nursery. Bring it up with the manager.

YANBU.

Nurseries should be secular unless they specify otherwise.

Thought this was a baby name thread, in which case Grace is a lovely name.

Definitely ask them to stop, or your DD may become infected with religious shenannigans.

UK schools are not secular, Is it a private or state nursery?

It's not necessarily a bad thing if it get the kids to be quiet for a moment then start eating together, rather than a free for all.

YANBU. Nurserys shouldn't be teaching small children to speak to non-existent beings. Not without parents permission. I'd be well fucked off.

So grace is said at playschool. Grace is not said at home. Shrug.

Its not about becoming "infected" Exit. It is about the right to make choices for our children. Aethists have beliefs too you know. And its fine if you choose to put a child into nursery having been told they say grace. But imo not if you haven't been.

I'm an athiest and my son's nursery say Grace before snack/lunch. Doesn't bother me. He's 4, we can have indepth discussions when he is older and he can make up his own mind.

They will have to pray and sing religious songs at school, so best get over it sooner rather than later IMO. The kids are much more likely to be influenced by it then, than they are at 2 YO.

Thank you everyone.

Interesting - quite mixed views.

I guess I didn't want to be an arse because I really do adore the staff and think they are doing a wonderful job with DD but as a quite fervent atheist it just didn't sit right with me.

My DD says grace at mealtimes at nursery. Doesn't bother me, although I was a bit surprised. It was sweet though- 20-30 odd DC, heads bowed, hands clasped and saying their little prayer before tea time (I went to DD's nursery mothers day tea party the other day).

I think they should probably mention that say prayers before meals or any other time when you enrol your child as some people like yourself are uncomfortable with praying. But like I said I dont mind at all.

Why would they have to pray and sing at school? Mine certainly don't, and they go to a Catholic school. We opt out of any religious gubbins, as is our right. Same as it is in nursery.

Actually it would bother me too. I wouldn't know how much of a big deal I would want to make of it though, if at all. I'm sure I was made to say grace in similar situations, and definitely had to sing religious songs in school. It didn't stop me turning into an atheist, so I guess this is what I'd be telling myself whilst secretly being annoyed by it as I ignored it and did nothing.

Shakirasma Really?! Surely they only do praying etc if you send them to a CoE school (or Catholic or whatever)? We've already crossed all "religious" schools off our list.

If you don't like it you have every right to tell them but they won't stop. More likely bring your DD to the table later than her friends. Is that what you want? If so then mentioning it is fine. If not then I wouldn't.

I can't see the problem in them teaching your DD to be thankful for what she's getting to someone you don't believe in.

What does it matter if you're an atheist? (and why doesn't atheism conform to the 'i before the e' rule? )

Thankful to who? To a being you don't believe in?
I do believe you all are being wilfully obtuse. You do understand what an atheist is, do you?

I wouldn't like it. All the people who say they think it's no big deal, would you be happy if it was another religion's ritual they were doing? Bowing to Mecca five times a day perhaps. Fine if individual children say Grace but not my DD.

Crossing off a lot of schools because they're 'religious' seems a bit cutting off your nose to spite your face, they teach the same religious curriculum in 'non-religious' schools I think don't they?

Doesn't it make more sense to get them to say thank you to the people who have actually provided it though? Although I guess in that situation praying might be a bit odd.

(because its from the greek theos meaning deity)

As I said, uk state schools are not secular. Ours is not a religious school but it is normal to sing hyms in assembly, and the local vicar takes assembly at Christmas and Easter.