Unsafe play materials at playgroup?

[SilverChime]

We’ve recently started a new playgroup for ages 1-4. Some things seem very risky and I don’t know if I’m just over protective and risk averse or if it’s genuinely of concern.

This week they set up a water play which was supposed to look like the sea - fist sized rocks in the bottom and boats floating on top. I’m sure it made a lovely photo for their Instagram but within five minutes the kids were throwing the rocks. They were also picking up and dropping the glass ramekins used for paint and we ended up with broken glass on the floor. The play materials also frequently contain allergens such as wheat - they did ask for the child’s “medical information” upon registration but didn’t ask if they had any allergies and didn’t ask about their accompanying parents.

AIBU to think they’re not doing a very good job of keeping everyone safe? And should I say something or just stop taking DC?

Do parents stay sand supervise?

Should say - Do parents stay and supervise.

If you supervise your child they won’t throw or break things.

In order for you to know what was going on the you where obviously there supervising your child so no one will get hurt if parents keep an eye on their kids because they can stop them before they have a chance to throw a rock or a glass dish.

YABU but it sounds like you need to find a different playgroup if the children's behaviour is so poor.

Glass dishes for paint sound like a fairly poor idea, but the other two are fine. Children can throw anything if they feel so inclined and parents should stop them! Likewise, unless a child has a contact allergy to wheat, playing with it shouldn't be a problem so long as they wash their hands thoroughly before eating.

I'm sure that they look forward to you volunteering to run a session since you are so enthusiastic OP.

Glass bowls are are a really stupid idea.

The allergens issue is also a bit idiotic.

If this is run by paid staff, I'd complain. If volunteers, I'd just go somewhere else

Its fine. just supervise your child.
kids are perfectly able to deal with these “hazards” as long as adults do their job. And kids quickly learn to be careful and will be quite proud to use “real” stuff and not “baby “ stuff.
its part of the montesorri philosophy,

Glass paint pots? Stupidity! Even if the children are being sensible, they might still drop one.

Rocks? A bit random and I’m not sure why they need them but, with supervision, fine.

I don’t understand your allergy issues. Are they eating it or playing with it?

Surely the parents are there, supervising?

The glass pots are the only thing I'd change.
Playdoh contains wheat. Should that cone with hazzard warnings too?

Allergies come under medical information, it shouldn't need a separate box for it.

Glass paint pots, yes not the best idea at all.

The only part of that I would change would be the glass pots for the paint. Everything else is completely fine.

Is it run by volunteers? They may be using what they have been donated. While glass isn't ideal if you supervise your child they should be fine. Allergens are really tricky as someone could be allergic to anything. If it's not on the medical form then they is surely down to the parents not filling it in correctly.

Glass pots and rocks are fine, they should be being supervised, as you would with any water play/messy play activity with toddlers regardless of whether glass or plastic was being used. Play dough contains wheat, but it has been a standard play material for years, every playgroup, nursery, reception class I've come across uses it.

We have been to a similar playgroup, which was set up like a sensory session with a different theme each week.
They had things like water, rocks, pine cones, big blocks of ice on occasion. Nobody every got hurt because the parents supervised their small children and prevented them from throwing things. Anything can be dangerous if kids are just left to run wild.

I might go to a different playgroup if the behaviour is so bad, but it's not the organisers fault if parents can't supervise their children properly.

The glass sounds like an unnecessary risk as there are other things that could be used. The rocks and wheat are surely only a problem if the parents aren't supervising. Plenty of toys are also dangerous when thrown.

Also only have a problem with the glass paint pots. The rest sounds fine.

Agree with pps that the glass dishes were a bad idea. The rocks etc are fine they are going to come into contact with these things just playing outdoors.

Yeah only the glass items are a problem really. A hard plastic toy is pretty painful /dangerous when lobbed by an angry toddler. Sounds like the parents need to be more on it and involved to stop this stuff happening. Playdoh containing wheat has been standard at all the billions of playgroups I've been to..

I think the glass is fine. Children are being supervised surely. I assume they've reused them from dessert pots of something and better for the environment than plastic.

Wheat...? Most playgroups I used to go to had pasta out at points for either messy play / crafts sewing etc
It would be very rare to be allergic to touching wheat - most dietary "issues" surrounding wheat are intolerances rather than allergies (not dismissing this at all, my mum has coeliac)

Why are none of the parents parenting their children?

Surely someone with an allergy would be given specific advice on whether they can touch things with the allergen. I wouldn't expect expert knowledge from a playgroup