Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

to feel worried about this? Re DD being taken out of preschool daily.

96 replies

polythenespam · 03/02/2014 13:32

DD is 2.10 and attends preschool 2 mornings a week. After Easter that will up to 5 mornings.

The preschool is based in the middle of a busy city centre. The nature of the building is that they don't have any outdoor space, but that hasn't bothered me as she gets time outdoors with me.

Anyway. DD has come home with a letter today and apparently, new Ofsted regulations mean that children have to get at least 20 mins outdoors a day, so the preschool will be taking them out every day for short walks and visits in the area.

AIBU to feel worried about this? I have no idea where they are planning on taking them within those 20 mins, given the location. All that surrounds the preschool are busy roads and shops, there isn't any green space in the vicinity. At only 2 she is one of the youngest and I worry about her wandering off / falling into the road etc etc.

I will be phoning the manager tomorrow to find out more - where will they be taking them, how will they be supervised etc. What questions should I ask?

DH isn't happy with the prospect either. I feel really upset about this - the preschool is fab and DD loves it, but I really don't know whether I am ready for her to be taken out EVERY DAY without me there.

OP posts:

Sirzy · 03/02/2014 15:05

If you don't trust your childcare enough to care for your child then perhaps you should look elsewhere?

Getting out and 'seeing the world' is great for children, its great that the get to experience things from a different context rather than always with parents.

Fresh air is vital for children

mrsjay · 03/02/2014 15:07

what sirzy said really and it is really ok for other people to take children outside it really is they know what they are doing,

FloweryFeatureWall · 03/02/2014 15:08

It's not just about trusting nursery workers though, is it? There's all sorts of other dangers or things that might worry people. Cars, strangers approaching the group of children (even with a worker or two and the kids in a crocodile, there can be hairy situations), people who aren't strangers that shouldn't be near a child approaching the group, dogs not on leads etc. Everyone has different worries and concerns. Trusting a nursery worker has no bearing on these (rare but possible) examples.

Sirzy · 03/02/2014 15:10

Trusting nursery workers has everything to do with it. Surely if you trust them to look after your child you trust them to keep them safe from random alien attacks or anything else?

mrsjay · 03/02/2014 15:11

but my saying the bad man will get them or a car will knock them over a dog will bite them is saying you don't trust the nursery staff it is the same thing,

Babiecakes91 · 03/02/2014 15:11

For a child under 2 our nursery's ratios for being out is 2 children per adult. My son doesn't walk outside due to his asd so he goes in a buggy.

FloweryFeatureWall · 03/02/2014 15:13

No, it doesn't. You can trust them to do their absolute best but even the most trusted nursery worker might not be able to defend a child against a car that might ride up on the pavement or fight off a dog or fight off a bunch of aliens.

Sirzy · 03/02/2014 15:14

Nor could a parent though so surely you never take the child out at all then?

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 03/02/2014 15:14

Flowery all of those things can happen when child is with untrained, unregulated parents! Nursery staff take their risk assessments seriously, they have experience of taking out groups of toddlers, they have routines and protocols that are tried and tested, they have plans in place for emergency situations. They are probably 'safer' and better prepared to be taking OP's child out than OP herself.

mrsjay · 03/02/2014 15:15

so what you are saying flowery is you wouldnt want anything to happen to them if you their parent wasnt with them which is fair enough I suppose but it is a bit controlling (maybe controlling isnt the word) all of these thinks can happen when a parent is with them

mrsjay · 03/02/2014 15:15

things* the words I am looking for is over Anxious

edwinbear · 03/02/2014 15:19

YABU - but it's understandable. ds and dd used to go to a nursery in canary wharf with no outside space. They used to take them out for walks every day, to the local library, to another local nursery that was part of their group, on the bus, the DLR, they even took them on a day trip to the Natural History museum once. The risk assessments undertaken beforehand were extensive, they had a high adult:child ratio, they wore wrist straps and high vis jackets. ds was there for 3 years, dd about 18 months and there were never any issues, they had a brilliant time. I worried a bit at first, but ultimately I trusted them entirely in their ability to do their job and look after my children safely, whilst also stimulating them. Speak to the manager if you are concerned, I'm sure you won't be the only parent to do so, and I'm sure you will feel reassured.

FloweryFeatureWall · 03/02/2014 15:19

I know they can happen with parents too. That doesn't change the fact that some people may feel more worried if it's not them with the child if something bad happens. It doesn't mean they don't trust the staff member.

And Mrsjay, I don't think I said anything about me as a parent and what I want at all. Pretty sure I was talking generally.

Sirzy · 03/02/2014 15:21

To me it does mean they don't trust the staff because it is basically saying you don't trust them to keep them as safe as it is possible to do so any any given situation.

inadreamworld · 03/02/2014 15:22

I would be worried but the logical part of me says they will be kept safe. I am a worrier too. The preschool I am thinking of sending my DD to has a roof garden for outdoors...of course height phobic me is stressing but logically you can't even see over the edge if you are 6 foot tall it is so well fenced in!

mrsjay · 03/02/2014 15:22

sorry I did mean in general not just you flowery I still think there is nothing risky about taking children outside for a walk what about nursery trips on a coach or school taking parents out these anxious parents must tie themselves up in knots with worry

FloweryFeatureWall · 03/02/2014 15:28

Well, no. You can trust them to keep the children as safe as possible and they will keep the children as safe as possible but even then accidents can happen. That's where the "as possible" comes into it. Some parents would rather reduce the risk of it completely and have the child stay in the nursery or preschool. It's not about trust, just about the extra risk of things outside the staffs control.

Sirzy · 03/02/2014 15:29

Sorry to me that is completely to do with trust. If you trust someone you trust them to keep your children safe not just safe in one very small enclosed situation.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 03/02/2014 15:34

So what do you think they should do flowery? Keep ALL the childre in because of one parent's fears or keep two staff members behind to watch her while the rest all go out? Ylu'll be lucky to find a nursery that dont aim to get dcs out everyday. Bad weather is really the only thing that prevents it IME. Id be pretty put off any nursery that didnt tbh.

Original poster

polythenespam · 03/02/2014 15:44

OP here, thanks for the replies.

I should have explained better that the preschool is only open for 3 hours each morning, so it's not like the children are cooped up inside there all day.

I've been completely happy with it as it is - it's structured well in terms of different activities like baking and crafts and I really don't see the need for them to walk around a city centre when they're only there for 3 hours. She gets plenty of outdoor time with me.

OP posts:

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 03/02/2014 15:47

Its really not just about your child though is it OP? Had you considered there are other dcs who attend the nursery who might benefit from outdoor time?

Original poster

polythenespam · 03/02/2014 15:48

If they had a garden or a park nearby I would feel differently - but I fail to see how my DD is going to benefit from walking crocodile style in the rain down a busy road for 20 mins, just so the preschool can fulfill an ofsted regulation (or recommendation?) which is most likely aimed at children who are in a setting all day, not for 3 hours in a city centre.

It also seems a shame that this is going to detract from the time they spend doing their current activities indoors.

OP posts:

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 03/02/2014 15:48

Btw my dses were at pre school for 2.5 hours every day and had at least 45 minutes outside each day. Regardless of how much time they had outside with me!

Original poster

polythenespam · 03/02/2014 15:51

YoureBeing - Bet that was in a garden playing though, not walking around a city centre

OP posts:

poocatcherchampion · 03/02/2014 15:51

and lol at "purpose built premises"

Flip

1 2 3 4