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AIBU?

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Original poster

Does your child's nursery have days out/ go on trips

46 replies

nurseryqaa · 10/06/2019 13:23

Just wondering if your child's nursery / pre school have days trips out of nursery?

There are 2 nursery's were we live one of them takes the children out regularly for walks to the park/shops etc, I saw 2 nursery teachers with 5 children in the local shop 18 months-2.5 years at most! Both the staff were pregnant and right away I knew my DC would not be going there!! Those baby's could of run into the road and I doubt 2 quite heavily pregnant women could of done much about it whilst having another 4 DC to watch and a bag of shopping in hand..

So we sent her to the other which is great and they stay within the school...

Had a letter today to say they will be going on 2 trips which is fine as obviously she doesn't HAVE to go but does mean she will miss 2 days of nursery..

AIBU to ask if this is the norm now? People may think I am OTT not allowing her to go but she runs of from me and her dad at nearly 3 years old so I don't trust her with all those other children to watch to..

OP posts:
blushmelikeyou · 10/06/2019 13:30

My daughters nursery do days out and take them to the local park etc. They even do the school run for older children, as they also run a before and after school programme.

Lou573 · 10/06/2019 13:32

At what age are you considering allowing trips? She will be going soon at school. You’ll probably better teaching her not to run off, I think it’s expected for most 3 year olds not to. Our nursery does outings and the three year olds do what they’re told.

BendingSpoons · 10/06/2019 13:37

Most nurseries do trips. I think it's considered part of the children's education. I would talk to the staff about how they would safeguard your DC, highlighting your concerns about her running off.

Original poster
nurseryqaa · 10/06/2019 13:39

@Lou573 she is good for me on her own but not when her dad is around so I don't know what she would be like with her teachers but she is under a paediatrician being assessed every 6 months as she is delayed and has lack of concentration, when they do story time she gets up after a minute or 2 and goes of to play on her own!

When she starts at school she will turn 5 straight after so will be different then unless we end up with a diagnosis then I will go on trips with her ! X

OP posts:
Original poster
nurseryqaa · 10/06/2019 13:44

@BendingSpoons the staff at her nursery are really great but they have a few children there inc my DN that would need 1 to 1 care so I don't know how they would juggle it all if they all ended up going.

But I'm glad to know it is normal everywhere as iv never experience it before with my sisters children ☺️ x

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 10/06/2019 13:46

Yes , to the library , post office , park etc. Age 2-4 ratio 3/10.

Lou573 · 10/06/2019 13:48

They always do a risk assessment before taking the kids out, so if your daughter needs particular attention that will be taken into account with staffing etc.

Passthecherrycoke · 10/06/2019 13:50

No not really, the child: adult ratio makes it difficult. Maybe a couple of times a year, more in baby room where they’re contained in a buggy

Figgygal · 10/06/2019 13:52

Yes they do but not until the last year before school I can remember from DS2 ds2 is now there and he is 2 1/2 and trips Have never been mentioned

mogtheexcellent · 10/06/2019 13:53

Pets at home, village scarecrow trail, pantomine in village hall. The nursery was a large independent one and it had a wood, stream and a farm so kids were there all the time. They taught DD to climb a tree at age 2 and she got soaked in the stream collecting pebbles.

You would hate it.

BendingSpoons · 10/06/2019 13:54

I can understand your concerns, particularly if your child has additional needs. Nurseries will have to do a risk assessment for the trip and work out staff ratios etc. Which I guess is why some nurseries feel it is too tricky and don't do it. Fair enough if you don't feel happy letting DC go at this point, but you might be able to reach an agreement if you would like DC to go.

APurpleSquirrel · 10/06/2019 13:59

DD's nursery they go for Welly Walks every Wednesday's, sometimes just around the school grounds, other times to local parks. The pre-schoolers also go in a minibus to Forest School once a week.
DS's nursery they go out for walks everyday (its very rural) and this month they're spending it mostly outdoors in their Forest School site (on the same site), but I think they also go and visit local farms etc.
Maybe you need to talk to her Key Worker and ask what her behaviour is like? Does she run off for them? They'll mostly likely use the walking bus/crocodile thing, and I know some have harnesses which essentially strap all the children together?
It seems a shame to deny her the chance of outdoor learning though.

Maryann1975 · 10/06/2019 14:01

Our local nursery made a massive deal about putting all the dc on the mini bus (that they use for school runs normally), driving less than half a mile to the park, playing there for 20 minutes and then driving back again. Honestly, im sure it would have been easier to walk them all there and back and do without the minibus!

I’m a childminder and would expect a 3 year old to walk nicely by my side, but if they weren’t able to do that, I would have no hesitation in using either reins or a wrist strap on them to keep them safe. I would expect a nursery to do the same. Presumably they know your dd well so would expect her to be a bit flighty and take precautions to keep her safe while out?
Have a chat with them and see what they say.

Original poster
nurseryqaa · 10/06/2019 14:03

@mogtheexcellent yes I probably would as she would more than likely jump our of the tree and put the pebbles in her mouth as she has no fear and sensory issues when it comes to her mouth ☺️

OP posts:
lyralalala · 10/06/2019 14:10

Speak to the nursery and ask their ratios.

When she starts at school she will turn 5 straight after so will be different then unless we end up with a diagnosis then I will go on trips with her !

Also be aware this isn’t a given that it would be allowed.

At the school my DS goes too (and st the playscheme I run) children are never allocated in their own parents group on trips.

Hmmmbop · 10/06/2019 14:17

They have been to the local park and a care home but nothing involving travel, which I'm pleased about as I wouldn't want to negotiate the carseat issue.

Benes · 10/06/2019 14:22

Yep - it's completely normal. They go to the park, shop, library etc and to a quiet road to practice road safety.

BumandChips · 10/06/2019 14:24

Yes, to the park and the library. They walk in lines, have to hold hands and wear reflective jackets.

Crunchymum · 10/06/2019 14:28

When DC1 was at preschool they had a weekly library trip. As well as other trips (farm, theatre, local cafe etc)

weekly Shock it was just such a hassle (I was a regular parent volunteer)

Seems I wasn't the only one who thought is was a hassle - DC2 attends same preschool and there are no more weekly library trips!

flossie86 · 10/06/2019 14:35

My kids nursery/school do trips about 4 each year usually museum/farm etc, parents have option to go for nursery & school sometimes ask a few parents to attend to help out, I wouldn't feel comfortable not being there as both my boys are very free spirited & tend to run off so I always volunteer to go along

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 10/06/2019 14:38

Nursery 1: daily walks (well most days).
Nursery 2: not really.
Nursery 3 + Preschool: Preschool had quite a few trips, including by coach. Nursery 3 was wrap around for preschool and the children walked between the two sites.

This was over 2 kids and 3 locations. Preschool trips tended to have a 2-1 ratio. I went on a few as I was a trusted volunteer. The 'runners' were with a staff member, the calmer kids with volunteers.

HolesinTheSoles · 10/06/2019 14:39

Yes mine did trips in nursery (so 3-4 year olds). There would be parent helpers and more staff than usual. I went as a helper once and it was very controlled. They knew exactly what they were doing. I've seen younger kids going for a walk round our village from their pre-school and the teachers had everything well under control. I assume they knew whose hand to hold and had an eye on all the kids as they walked down the road.

AxCap · 10/06/2019 14:51

Yes. They seem to do them across all ages as you often see the babies out in the buggies too.

Almost daily they'll go for a walk - lots of small play areas nearby or bigger open areas for a 'nature walk'.

They also walk to the train station, library, florist (as part of a nature topic).

Care Home visit once a month which involves getting a local bus.

They've also been on the train to the nearby city and have visited the art gallery and shopping centre (it had activities on over the holidays).

None require parent helpers and the kids have all loved it. They walk in lines holding hands and wear hi-vis jackets and have a great time.

PineappleSeahorse · 10/06/2019 14:53

It was the norm in the mid to late 80s when I was in nursery. We often went on trips, some requiring a train journey. I loved them. They're a lot of fun and I'm sure the staff are more than capable of monitoring the children.

PineappleSeahorse · 10/06/2019 14:55

They should have procedures and plans in place to accommodate her(and any other child's) additional needs.

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