In thinking crocs aren't suitable footwear for games/PE?

[platesandflowers]

I have an acquaintance who's been sending her child (5) in to kindergarten with crocs as his footwear for games/PE.

The school have repeatedly told her this isn't safe footwear for physical activities and she needs to provide supportive trainers/plimsoles.

She's dug her heels in so bloody hard they're now saying her son won't be able to join in.

They're now taking it to the board as 'discrimination'.

She's apparently 'not starting his schooling off with being told what to do' and 'not cowing to ridiculous rules to make more money for shoe companies.'

There's another couple of parents that have agreed she shouldn't be told what her child wears on his feet.

Aibu I'm thinking her poor kid is in for a rough time at school. And the teachers/admin staff?!

Not in the UK so rules aren't quite as cut and dried with schooling here.

NC'ed for this as it's obviously pretty outing!

How ridiculous. Of course they’re not suitable! Not tight-fitting enough for one thing. Is this really a hill she wants to make a stand on?

Oh dear, she is going to be ‘that mother’ (ie a total twat who is secretly despised by the teachers and most other parents). The nursery aren’t asking for trainers just for the sake of it - it is what is sensible, safe, supportive footwear. What a stupid woman.

hopefully the teachers won't blame the child and remain professional, but the mother sounds a nightmare! Surely a cheap pair of plimsoles or trainers (which can both be used out of school) is not lining the shoe manufacturers pockets!

It's going to be a huge battle for this mother for the next 12 years!

I am a massive Crocs fan, most comfortable things ever.

But totally inappropriate for running around in.

And when the child breaks an ankle from running in crocs the mother will.....presumably blame the school?

We don’t allow them at Cubs fur the same reason. This mother will be the first to complain. She her child sprains his ankle in his inappropriate footwear.

on what rounds is she claiming discrimination- has the child ot a disability which means he can't wear pumps or trainers?

Crocs are certainly not suitable for games or PE, how ridiculous of her. Crocs are nice and comfortable for strolling around and that's it.

Can she not afford a pair of plimsolls?

My son always wears shoes or bare feet rather than sports footwear. He won't keep trainers or plimsolls on and will have a meltdown if you push it.
Unless there is something similar going on the crocs mother is being ridiculous.

I can well believe it. I used to run kids drama and dance classes and ran 1 week musical theatre summer schools.

Every single year we got kids arriving in unsafe jelly shoes or crocs or strappy sandals despite being told trainers, plimsolls or jazz shoes.

No there's no issues with him wearing trainers. He has a pair I've seen him in! Maybe he's grown out of them.

They have enough money to buy a new pair regardless.

They've just bought a new camper van, have booked a winter holiday and have paid off the next year's property taxes ahead of time (we're a small community so know each other's bowel movements) so they've definitely got more disposable income than us atm.

Gosh , I'm shocked at her.
I work in an infant school in a very deprived area and I've never seen a child take crocs in for PE. We've the odd child with no kit , and we tend to lend them one. Crocs di but support the feet at all for games/PE and would be incredibly dangerous.

I like to wear the ballerina crocs myself for day to day wear as I suffer with painful heels. I was told by a podiatrist thy offer very poor support though (hypermobile feet and ankles )
I think she's being foolish and neglectful. What a waste of everyone's time.

Surely for PE it is a health and safety issue. She doesn't have a leg to stand on neither will her son if he does PE in crocs

Crocs aren't appropriate for anything other than gardening, the beach or putting the bins out in! They are really handy, I have a pair but not as proper day shoes - school schools need to be supportive and allow feet to breathe, thank goodness they have strict rules here!