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?

It's exactly that Captain. If it's not in a wicker basket it's in a jam jar.

Workbenches are everywhere. Last week a three year old taught me that there was a magnet on a hammer to hold the nail in place. I had no idea!

I think it all sounds fine. I have been to two groups I stopped going to. One because the toys were absolutely filthy and moldy, and some broken. I reported that to a health visitor but I don't think they went. Second one was because there were toddlers running round with big toy guns pointing them at babies and the church volunteers said nothing. So your group with natural sensory play sounds wonderful.

I don't get the problem with the glass I'm afraid. Those glass ramekins are really tough to break. An empty yoghurt pot is very easily tipped and then there's paint water everywhere. I'd go for a ramekin any day.

Yabu. By that logic, anything at all that is a thing would be dangerous as it can be thrown. The problem here is unsupervised/badly behaved children.

I think having glass around 1 year olds is mad. All it takes is for 1 person to not keep a proper eye on their child (which could be for a perfectly good reason - if they have a couple of kids to watch, and they head off in opposite directions, there's not much they can do other than leave one to chase the other), and something gets smashed. At that point the room is unsafe for everyone until the glass is cleared up.

Yes, you can ask parents to supervise more closely, but accidents happen. Also, these things are generally a lot more fun all round if kids can have a bit of freedom and parents can relax.

I wouldn't be overly thrilled with the rocks either - presumably they could have achieved the same thing with smaller pebbles instead.

The wheat thing I'd be less concerned about, but if I was running the group I'd be asking about allergies and very clearly providing a list of ingredients where needed.

I don't get the problem with the glass I'm afraid. Those glass ramekins are really tough to break.
Yeah I agree. They arent going to be broken by falling off a table 2 feet off the ground. Even if it did break, it would crack, not shatter into a million pieces and fly everywhere.