to complain to the museum staff?

[WestieMamma]

I'm at the museum with my baby who is 7 months. The museum currently have an exhibition called 'I can do it myself' which is an interactive, nature display for babies (0-2). It's all things at floor level which they can climb over, touch, play with and 'do it themselves'. Basically the aim is that you step back and let them discover themselves. DS is loving the 'nest' which is a giant whicker dog bed basket full of fluffy materials and eggs of different sizes, materials, sounds. He's particularly enjoying the fact that a girl of around 3 or 4 is playing nicely with him and passing him a new egg every time he gets bored of the one he has. It's lovely.

Problem is that a few minutes ago a group of women arrived with 1 baby who is asleep and 3 boys aged around 5/6. The boys are charging around the room like they're in a playground, diving into exhibits, being all rough and tumble and making it unsafe for 0-2s. The adults don't seem to be concerned apart from glaring at me when I told 2 of the boys to be careful when they climbed into the 'nest' and started throwing the eggs at each other.

Should I say something or am I expecting too much in a public place aimed at children? I don't know if it makes a difference that there's a massive adventure playground just outside.

The childcare is supposed to be fantastic if you have to work. The cost certainly is. DS will get 20 hours per week free from when he's 1 because both his parents are foreigners. I can't speak for all areas, but we went to visit the 3 in our small town last week and I came away feeling really sad. They seemed so dull and soulless I couldn't send him to any unless I had no choice. We're going to visit some further afield on Friday so I'm hoping they're a bit more cheerful. My husband likened the ones we visited to baby prisons. :(

Ooh, that doesn't sound good.

I've also heard that you have astronomical taxes to pay for the wonderful childcare system. Is it painful?

When this happens in soft play etc I usually ask the child in a bright friendly voice 'and how old are you? 5 did you say? Can you see that sign over there, it says this area is only for 2 year olds... I think the big boy/girl play area is over there' as long as the parents don't look too scary

Yanbu. I tell children not to jump if ds is playing in a baby area. Kids do seem to be allowed to do what they want in Sweden, we were actually given a class telling us to let our kids do what they want ( along with use rear facing seats, don't shake your baby and don't drink alcohol if you are looking after children even one glass of wine when they are in bed

Im sorry to hear you didn't like the local daycare options. I visited one that shocked me, I have also worked in quite a few and the standards really vary. Try private ones ( still paid for by the state) the Montessori ones tend to be lovely as are the waldorf ones if you can ignore some of their stranger ideas! There tend to be long queues to the good daycares ( we put our child's name down for 3 the week he was born) so it's a good idea to put his name down asap!

I've also heard that you have astronomical taxes to pay for the wonderful childcare system. Is it painful?

It's approx 33% basic and 55% for high earners. It is steep but we still feel better off than in the UK. Yes we pay high tax and some things cost a lot more (eg food, white goods, alcohol, fuel) but other stuff is cheaper (housing, pubic transport). If you have kids the high taxes pay for themselves. It's not just subsidised nursery, everyone gets free school meals, paid time off work when children are sick, 1 year parental leave split however the parents choose, before/after school and holiday care, child benefit at increasing amounts as number of children increases. There's probably more, that's just what I can think of instantly.

Thats why I never understand peoples onsession with keeping taxes low, I know its not a vote winner, but if you put up taxes you get more back (NHS, education, welfare...)