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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Unsafe play materials at playgroup?

56 replies

SilverChime · 27/09/2019 01:37

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?

OP posts:

Myriade · 27/09/2019 08:04

Glass I bet the issue.
Wheat?? You are going to struggle to avoid wheat tbh. And it doesn’t give an anaphylactic shock like peanuts do.
Th stones? You’ll find them in most playground. The issue isn’t that there were some stones but the fact they weren’t supervised properly.

Are the parents present (you mention the fact they didn’t ask the parents if they had allergies) and of so, why are they not keeping an eye on their own children?

Gooseygoosey12345 · 27/09/2019 08:06

Glass paint pots might not be the best idea but everything else comes down to supervising your child (assuming it was a stay and play). We've had rocks at our group and nobody has thrown them

ultrablue · 27/09/2019 09:28

Until recently I ran a play and stay for 18 years. The glass pots would be my only issues, empty yoghurt pots would be better.

Allergies obviously would come under the medical section, although I did have an separate section for allergies, just so it stood out on the form. Allergens.. obviously need to be watched by parents, we have had children with serious allergies, their parents just keep a closer eye on them as it's easy for little ones to pick up food that's been dropped etc..

Not a lot you can do about them throwing things.. that's a parental supervision issue,although the staff should be intervening if the parents aren't, unfortunately some parents will sit in groups and chat whilst their children merrily create chaos...

Sounds like every play and stay I've ever attended over the years

hazeyjane · 27/09/2019 09:30

Glass pots are the only thing I think are a problem.

Di11y · 27/09/2019 09:33

the children's centre have a piece of paper up with the activities and allergens for everyone to see.

e.g. pasta play - wheat

stucknoue · 27/09/2019 09:34

If the kids were properly supervised then there's no problem. I've heard of nurseries that use glasses for drinks etc it's meant to promote independence and development. Pretty sure they use ramekins for paint thinking about it. Why would kids randomly throw rocks. Sounds like the parents fault

SinkGirl · 27/09/2019 09:35

This post and the attitudes in it are why I had to stop taking my twins to most toddler groups - “just supervise your child” is easier said than done when you have more than one. Parents should absolutely be made aware of allergens. We had to stop going to one (paid for) group where they had snack time at the end, kids all sat on the floor with plates full of stuff containing dairy and it was impossible to stop both of them from taking stuff at the same time (they have no understanding of words, so no way to tell them to stop).

I think it sounds like a very broad age range for a group and therefore very difficult to make it safe for the younger ones and interesting for the older ones.

BarbariansMum · 27/09/2019 09:37

Do you not have glass at home or rocks in the garden? The parents of allergic children will liaise w staff and any food stuff could be an allergen to someone, so either you ban it all or you base what you do on your participants. No need to avoid wheat if everyone's ok w it.

Mrsjayy · 27/09/2019 09:39

Allergies are in your medical information im not sure why you didn't think they were and is nobody watchi g these toddlers it sounds like bedlam

headinhands · 27/09/2019 09:41

Risky materials are best introduced around 3. And kids need things that are a bit risky so that they can develop necessary skills at assessing danger etc. But I wouldn't leave 1 and 2 year olds with glass objects.

Camomila · 27/09/2019 09:48

I would mention the allergen thing - in case one day they use fruit jelly or baked beans etc for messy play.
The ramekins and stones I would be fine with, DSs nursery use 'real' materials as well to promote independence/risk assessment.

Chillisauceboss · 27/09/2019 09:49

Glass is stupid and I go against the grain and think rocks is a bit stupid too...

If I imagine going there with my NCT groups there would be 5 mums having to be glued to the newly turned 1 year olds because they'd be all crowded in the same place with big rocks. Just seems a silly addition. Yes I would parent and supervise but I'd expect a playgroup area for age 1 to not have something she could seriously hurt another child with if I so much as glanced away for a few seconds. What about mums of two very young children. Just seems an unnecessary addition.

The allergy thing I think YABU. If your child had a serious allergy it's your responsibility to assess in these scenarios

BarbariansMum · 27/09/2019 10:05

The play group is for ages 1-4 though. If everything has to be perfectly safe for 1 year olds, then it's going to be phenomenally unsuitable for the older children. 1 year olds need constant supervision in most settings, if you dont want that choose a baby group.

CaptainMyCaptain · 27/09/2019 10:09

Glass paint pots? Stupidity! Even if the children are being sensible, they might still drop one.This doesn't sound great - maybe they are trying to be plastic free. We did, however, manage for many years with glass milk bottles, even in Nursery, and I never witnessed any accidents.

I would be more worried about the unsupervised violent behaviour, to be honest.

Ridiclious · 27/09/2019 10:13

We use glass ramekins at home for paint because we've got dozens of them. I supervise at all times and am the only one to move them. The play materials aren't the problem it's the parental non supervision.

That said the wheat allergy thing needs addressing. They may well have not considered it. I bought a fab play doh set for a friend's DD. I genuinely didn't know it contained wheat and my friend is allergic.

Mrsjayy · 27/09/2019 10:24

I agree about glass for Paint it is silly even adults could drop them maybe they have gone plastic free or something but the rest of it just sounds chaos.

museumum · 27/09/2019 10:34

I think even 1 year olds should be able to be in the presence of rocks without throwing them. What do you do in the garden or the woods? And many toys are as hard as rocks if thrown. All throwing indoors should be stopped immediately. I don't see how it can be allowed to escalate to kids (plural) throwing rocks, the first child should have been stopped instantly they looked like they might throw. How do they manage wooden blocks?

Footle · 27/09/2019 10:52

Isn't Playdough made with cornflour? That's not wheat.

notso · 27/09/2019 11:01

I don't really see the difference between a fist sized rock and say a large wooden building block which are commonly found at playgroups.
I've only ever used glasses for painting with my own children.

It sounds like there's an issue with supervision at the playgroup though, not sure if it lies with parents or staff though.

Mrsjayy · 27/09/2019 11:02

Playdough is made with ordinary flour usually

hairyturkey · 27/09/2019 12:10

In our nursery we used 'real' things where at all possible, glass cups, ceramic tea sets etc. It's quite Montessori. Children learn that things break if they're not careful with them, and as long as they're supervised I don't see anything wrong with that.

Bellsofstclements · 27/09/2019 12:16

I think it sounds great! If your child is throwing rocks then they'd also throw a plastic digger or a wooden block or other age appropriate toy and could still hurt others, you have to supervise them.

Sewrainbow · 27/09/2019 12:43

Glass oot are not a great idea but the rocks are, as long as supervised.

Its food for children to engage with the natural environment which handling the rocks would be part of again supervised if big or heavy and obviously not thrown!

MarigoldGlove · 27/09/2019 12:50

You better get used to glass and rocks because that’s the way EYFS settings are going now. Weebles are out and pine cones are in.

Schools are getting rid of the bright colours and the plastic toys and children are playing with natural materials and real items instead of toy versions.

CaptainMyCaptain · 27/09/2019 13:03

Schools are getting rid of the bright colours and the plastic toys and children are playing with natural materials and real items instead of toy versions.
Funnily enough, that's the way it was when I started teaching in the early 80s. All ILEA Nursery classes had a wood work bench with real tools and nails. We used to have old radios and clocks etc. to unscrew with screwdrivers, metal items and Duraglit metal polish and, of course, little glass bottles of milk. It was great. Thinking back I'm sure we had paint in jam jars when I was at school (early 50s/late 60s) and it's what I gave my own child when she was small.

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