To think this can't be true about play centres?

[JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]

Seen this this morning on Facebook from a trampoline park/soft play centre - surely it can't be true? Too many safeguarding issues - My kids are 5 and 8 and I wouldn't leave them alone inside a play centre. I'd sit in the cafe/seating area and look out for them but parents can't possibly be expected to leave their 4+ year olds (they clarify in the comments that it only applies to kids 4 and over) alone?

Absolutely not a chance I’d leave my 7 and 5 year olds on their own.

You don’t actually have to take them though, do you?

It says during supervised bounce sessions. It's not like the kids are going in to play! I don't read that as a normal play session.
My kids go into their dance lessons on their own (since covid) no problem. That's with other kids etc. But they are supervised by the adults running the session.

It sounds like it would only be staff and other children in the building. Presumably if staff are working with children then they’ll have been DBS checked. I don’t really see the safeguarding issue?

I wouldn't leave my 7 year old son alone in any play/trampoline centre.

In normal times, I sit in the indoor cafe area and watch him but I wouldn't want to be out of the building.

I guess it'll only be older children and teens at first?

There’s no way I would leave mine. What if they wondered off looking for me? Play centres are huge. And would anyone notice if they hurt themselves?

@Soontobe60

You don’t actually have to take them though, do you?

FFS there's always one...I'm not saying I have to I'm asking if people think they've got it wrong

It will be like sending them to school/nursery. It’s not like you will be the only parent sitting outside and all others allowed in.

@user1471530109 yes my kids go to theatre group alone but with staff who are DBS checked, first aid trained and qualified to look after children. I doubt all soft play centre staff have the same qualifications

It says *supervised" bounce sessions. Do you leave your kids alone at school?!

@ineedaholidaynow

It will be like sending them to school/nursery. It’s not like you will be the only parent sitting outside and all others allowed in.

Nothing like sending them to school - unless your school is in fact a trampoline park

I wouldn’t send mine in for a free play session but a supervised bounce? Yes I would. The staff are going to be trained and cleared.

They will have to have someone first aid trained and all staff will be DBS checked.

Kids aftershock clubs can take place, but parents cannot attend. This means things like football training, brownies, piano lessons etc.
Theyve got around the issue of not being able to open by doing supervised sessions, like an afterschool club, at the play centre. Its quite ingenious. The kids will be supervised.

@Umbivalent

It says *supervised" bounce sessions. Do you leave your kids alone at school?!

Yes I leave them with staff qualified and checked to care for them and look after them.

Also, school isn't a trampoline park where accidents happen so easily and it takes a level of supervision for each child to ensure they don't bounce where they shouldn't/run into other kids/get stuck somewhere etc

Soft play are a bit lord of the flies anyway, for supervised planned activities fine. But not for the free for all soft play

They have to adhere to the government guidelines. It’s either that or they don’t open.

Supervised bounce is supervised, surely?
They will have first aiders on site. And will have numbers/ratios to adhere to I expect. Website offer any insight into trained staff, ratio etc?

As pp said, if you don't like it, don't take them. Not sure why the humphy face.

If you are sitting in the inside cafe how would that stop a child getting hurt on the trampoline?

Childrens activities for the purpose of child care were allowed to open before the rest of childrens clubs. I wonder if this was a way to open a few weeks earlier.

Even now childrens clubs are told to keep to a minimum the number of adults so if it's a staffed session I can see asking parents to drop off.

For a standard drop in soft play though it's odd, and not something I'd have been comfortable doing when mine were smaller. I never got to drink a cuppa in the cafe without being needed for something.

I'm asking if people think they've got it wrong

No, I think they are right to safeguard their premises and staff as much as possible. It’s an activity, no one has to go but if they want to then these are the rules in place.

Of course they will be DBS checked! You're making issues here when there aren't any. It doesn't say for normal play sessions. They are opening only for classes (that's how they are getting round the covid rules I suspect). But these sessions will be supervised. And covid safety says parents wait outside.

I wouldn't send a v young child. But my 11 year old-no problem! Both mine do activities that are quite risky though (without me being there). Kayaking, rock climbing, camping etc. All supervised of course! With trained adults.

@FlibbertyGiblets because I'm not pondering on if I should take them - I was asking if people think that is true. But some posters clearly desperate for a bit of a arsey post today have ignored that completely. Hence the 'humphy'face

Afterschool not aftershock