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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this isn't a suitable activity at nursery?

40 replies

GrandOldDuchess · 17/03/2021 16:32

Picked up DC (2) from nursery today to be told at handover that a group of children (my DC included) had gone for a trip to the local garden centre to see the fishes. AIBU to think that this isn't a suitable trip due to Covid/lockdown?

OP posts:
CateTown · 17/03/2021 16:34

Sounds fine to me.

Mucklemore · 17/03/2021 16:35

It's not in line with government advice.

nimbuscloud · 17/03/2021 16:36

I don’t think they should have done that

SarahAndQuack · 17/03/2021 16:37

That doesn't sound right - they ought to get permission to take them of the premises, and even without covid, I'd be less than keen about using a shop as an outing destination (that's so rude to the owners!).

Are you sure they actually did it, they didn't role-play about it?

Scarby9 · 17/03/2021 16:41

Are you in England?
The Govt. Coronavirus Early Years guidance has a section (p.52) on 'Trips to indoor spaces' - were the fish indoors?

First sentences: ' You are advised against educational visits at this time. This advice will be kept under review'.

Original poster
GrandOldDuchess · 17/03/2021 16:47

When DC started nursery, we signed a form to say that they could go on trips as a "blanket approval" so they don't have to ask for parental consent every time they go out. Pre-covid, they used to go on lots of trips and DC loved the variety so DH & I were fine with this.

Since Covid, the only trips they have been doing is to the park (once they reopened) which again, we've been fine with.

However, today's trip just feels "wrong"- we're in a lockdown and this was definitely not an essential journey. I just don't know whether it would be overreacting to raise it with the nursery.

They definitely went out- DC's keyworker confirmed that they'd been out on the minivan to visit the Garden Centre and enjoyed looking at the fishes

OP posts:
Nyala · 17/03/2021 17:05

I think it's strange that they didn't tell you that it was happening! I get that you gave your consent but saying in the morning "Today we're going to look at the fish at the garden centre" is really simple and doesn't take more than a few secs. In general I wouldn't want my DC going places without me knowing that they were going there, even though I'd be perfectly fine with them going if they told me about it.

But yes, I also don't think that this trip was appropriate. Disrespectful to shop owners if they didn't buy anything, and is unnecessary and so not really appropriate for lockdown.

MissyB1 · 17/03/2021 17:09

Garden centres are open as are parks, would you have been happy with a trip to the park? Have you been going to parks? What’s the difference?
I’m going to the garden centre on Saturday, I’m not breaking any rules.

PegasusReturns · 17/03/2021 17:11

I thought you could travel for education?

Original poster
GrandOldDuchess · 17/03/2021 17:16

@MissyB1

Garden centres are open as are parks, would you have been happy with a trip to the park? Have you been going to parks? What’s the difference? I’m going to the garden centre on Saturday, I’m not breaking any rules.
I would have been happy with the park as it's outdoors and is for exercise. Going to the garden centre is still "allowed" as they sell essential items but Nursery did not go to buy anything, just to look at the fishes.

Personally, we as a family have been avoiding going to shops/parks as DC are in Nursery so we don't want to increase the risk either to us or to the nursery. However, this is my/our choice and risk assessment and I have no problem with other people going as, like you said, it's within the rules.

However, the Nursery does not seem to be within the rules (ie not essential journey, not intending to buy anything, going against Early Years guidance) and DC says that they didn't use handgel when out (although I take this with a pinch of salt due to their age).

OP posts:
RolloTomassi · 17/03/2021 17:18

I can see that "on paper" it's bending the rules but honestly this really wouldn't bother me.

Glenthebattleostrich · 17/03/2021 17:19

Im a childminder and am not taking the children on trips other than daily walks to the woods and playground. We are wiping equipment and sanitising regularly too.

I certainly wouldn't take them to the garden centre or pet shop to see the fishes.

HeeHiHoHum · 17/03/2021 17:19

I think it was foolish of them. Garden centres are open for trade, not day trips! It’s not in line with legislation and as frustrating as it is, they should be limiting themselves to parks etc

nimbuscloud · 17/03/2021 17:20

This is on gov.uk website - updated yesterday so is current.

Nurseries, childminders, schools and colleges will not go on educational visits at this time. This advice will be kept under review.

Tumbleweed101 · 17/03/2021 17:22

Are you sure they didnt buy anything? This time of year a lot of topics about growing get started and we get seeds, compost etc.

nimbuscloud · 17/03/2021 17:24

@Tumbleweed101
They should not have gone. It’s in contravention of govt instructions.
No educational trips.

pastabest · 17/03/2021 17:29

I think I would just be pleased that nursery were finding ways to do 'normal' stuff in these strange times.

Without knowing the set up of the garden centre it's difficult to say, presumably they are operating in a covid secure way? Perhaps they have an arrangement with the nursery to go at a quiet time?

My DCs nursery do something similar, they take the children in small groups of 2-3 throughout the space of a couple of days.

stuckinarutatwork · 17/03/2021 17:32

Not in lockdown, no. It's not an essential journey, contravenes current guidance and is very irresponsible.
Normally, it would be a lovely day out.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 17/03/2021 17:34

I bet the garden center were delighted with a bus-full of non-spending toddlers filling up their premises.

FTEngineerM · 17/03/2021 17:36

Bit of an over reaction IMO, they’re kids who’ve been locked in most of their lives (probably at least some kids anyway).

A little trip to mooch about the fish section of a garden centre is hardly lining the halls of ICU and licking the door handles.

3AndStopping · 17/03/2021 17:37

I think the nursery are crazy to do it because they must know they’re going to have at least one parent/s getting their panties in a twist about it.

toocold54 · 17/03/2021 17:37

I’m going to the garden centre on Saturday, I’m not breaking any rules.

I assume you’ll be going to buy or pretend to buy stuff.
No store would let you in in the current situation if you said I just want to look around for something to do.

nimbuscloud · 17/03/2021 17:47

I’m going to the garden centre on Saturday, I’m not breaking any rules.

You are not going on an educational trip so you are not breaking that rule. Unlike the nursery.

ItsMarch · 17/03/2021 17:48

Personally, we as a family have been avoiding going to shops/parks as DC are in Nursery so we don't want to increase the risk either to us or to the nursery. However, this is my/our choice and risk assessment and I have no problem with other people going as, like you said, it's within the rules

Same here and yes this would grate on me. We’ve not been to the garden centre for a mooch, which we used to love because it has toys and fish, as well as a decent cafe.

My DC’s nursery is still going to the park but very early in the morning and if it’s busy they don’t go on the equipment, just have a run around. I’m ok with this. Outside the entire time, no staff to consider and within the guidelines.

crystalcherry87 · 17/03/2021 17:50

Wouldn't bother me if it was my child going but I can see how the garden centre staff could be annoyed at this especially if they had reached capacity for the store.