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?

I'm actually amazed people here think a free soft play session with children as you long as 4 and no parents to supervise is considered safe

Lots of people leave their DC in the ikea soft play/creches in shopping centres. I've not left DS1 yet as Covid happened before he was old enough to leave but I'd definitely leave him in the ikea soft play now (maybe not trampolining, but trampolines scare me).

They’ll probably take mobile numbers so they can call you if there’s an issue. Presumably any children old enough to go to school or other activities know to tell a supervising adult if something is wrong.

[quote JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]@Clymene I'm not saying they shouldn't open. I'm saying I expected that the rules for play centres - like last time lockdown was lifted - would be parents can come along and sit on tables/seating areas/in the cafe but just not go in the soft play area unless their child was in distress. Not sure why now the law would be that parents can't come in at all. [/quote]
Once again. Cafes are not permitted by law to open indoors at present including those in play centres. Why is this so hard to understand?

And there’s a massive difference between a trained, qualified P1 teacher in charge of a group of four year olds in a classroom setting and a teenager being paid minimum wage to supervise a trampoline park.

Why are you assuming the staff are teenagers being paid minimum wage? That's a huge assumption. The staff at most of these places will be similar to any other settings and include a variety of ages and levels of experience.

The trampoline park I use the cafe is upstairs so not possible to see the mats at all. Staff are around, and obviously they all watch the "you are going to die" video first. Staff are very quick to tell the kids off who need to be.

Maybe your set up is different, but that is pretty much how it was before at mine.

I personally don't see the problem, IF there is an increased staff to Children ratio and will be sectioned off into different groups , therefore have a smaller area to bounce rather than run around the whole play area, so they can monitor safely, I imagine each child will have a name tag and you will need to leave your details with the receptionist in case of emergencies. Is there more info provided by the centre as to what measures they are taking?

“Gymnastics lessons are not the same as a 'free' soft play session with no structure other than 'go crazy' where loads of small kids are running about on trampolines though?“

Actually I think gymnastics was probably riskier. By the second term, they were on the beam and the horse. I don’t think I’d have coped with watching that . Which is probably why parents were asked not to remain.
As I said though, that was aged 7 when most children were perfectly capable of taking instruction and didn’t generally run around going crazy. Any who did were told not to return.

Again, wouldn’t leave a 4 year old though.

Once again. Cafes are not permitted by law to open indoors at present including those in play centres. Why is this so hard to understand?

I think the poster meant waiting in the area even with the cafe closed. The space will still be there.

@Bonkerz

Not wrong no. From April 12th these centres can open Including dance groups swimming etc BUT only to children everyone else outside. A lot are delaying opening till May 17th due to these rules.

I only just learnt this today, and not surprised most aren't opening til the 17th May as a result! I just assumed all play centres were only permitted to open on May

@Same4Walls

And there’s a massive difference between a trained, qualified P1 teacher in charge of a group of four year olds in a classroom setting and a teenager being paid minimum wage to supervise a trampoline park.

Why are you assuming the staff are teenagers being paid minimum wage? That's a huge assumption. The staff at most of these places will be similar to any other settings and include a variety of ages and levels of experience.

It was a touch hyperbolic, right enough - but let’s not pretend the staff will be trained in all aspects of child safety or will have anything like the same responsibility as teachers.

How much do they get paid as a general floor supervisor at softplay? Is it massively above minimum wage?

@Pumperthepumper

This thread is a bit hostile for some reason!

I agree with you @JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows but I did guess they’d have to do something like this to keep it open. And I agree that it depends on the age of the kid, most 8 year olds could go in with a couple
of pals but I don’t think it’ll work for the younger ones.

And there’s a massive difference between a trained, qualified P1 teacher in charge of a group of four year olds in a classroom setting and a teenager being paid minimum wage to supervise a trampoline park.

Well apparently not, according to some this is not different than going to school

Agree about random hostility. People get carried away when they see a few arsey posts at the beginning sometimes.

The last year has given businesses like this a golden opportunity to get all staff trained to the max. Friends and families across a huge variety of industries have done lots of Health and safety training, additional first aid courses and plenty of other professional training. I wouldn't send a four year old (I wouldn't send my 9 year old because he's Dyspraxic so I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving him) but I don't think it's inherently wrong. Parents with children that are able to cope with that type of set up can send them, those who feel they still need to supervise their children will hold off until more 'normal' opening is allowed.

@Pumperthepumper

Once again. Cafes are not permitted by law to open indoors at present including those in play centres. Why is this so hard to understand?

I think the poster meant waiting in the area even with the cafe closed. The space will still be there.

Yes it is but due to current laws they are not permitted to use that space.

The kids are supervised so I wouldn't have a problem with it. I wouldn't however leave a 4 year old, but for say ages 7 and over would be fine.

@Plumbear2 no need whatsoever to be rude. A cafe is not the same as a centre where small children will need supervision. And you could argue, if cafes won't let only children in, why should soft play centres?

Our local centre all staff have dbs and first aid etc.
I think kids 8 and older would be ok if there was a means of contacting you if they had a bump etc.
Younger than that I wouldn't because of the general argy Bargy of it all.ie the other kids.
But I don't think they've got it wrong.

[quote JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]@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 [/quote]
Probably very true!

I worked in this sort of thing through college. Although I was a sensible teen and not phased by any issues of first aid etc there was always at least 1 adult I could call on if needed - eg birthday parties.

There will of course be adults running it but I think if a child was to hurt themselves badly (very possible in these places and more likely when they aren't use to them and their limits) I'd like to know the adult can come and support the child.

I'm sure it'll be quiet sessions with limited numbers and so easier to supervise but no - I probably wouldn't send my child in alone until probably secondary school age.

I do think they'd have better take up though if they did age group sessions. I'd feel more comfortable if I knew a 5yo was bouncing with 4-6yos than with 4-16 yos. That would lower risk IMO.

I love how the op is conveniently refusing to accept or respond to the posters telling them the fact all staff will have a DBS check.

OP it seems you don't want discussion just people agreeing its awful poor little flowers are expected to go and play in a supervised play space without their parents.

YABU

@AfternoonToffee

The trampoline park I use the cafe is upstairs so not possible to see the mats at all. Staff are around, and obviously they all watch the "you are going to die" video first. Staff are very quick to tell the kids off who need to be.

Maybe your set up is different, but that is pretty much how it was before at mine.

We have a pretty good one round here, the seating area/cafe is on a balcony on levels so wherever you sit you can see the whole trampoline park

Staff at a day nursery and in a care home may also be on minimum wage, this doesn’t mean they’re not responsible enough to look after those in their care.

So having a coffee in an open cafe is a COVID risk but sitting in the closed cafe without a coffee is COVID safe. They are limiting numbers in places and opening up gradually. Parents are desperate for things to open up for children, so the Government are allowing some places to open but with numerous restrictions. Go on the website. They might have their risk assessment on there. I can guarantee it will be very long. I am involved in Scouts, there are a huge number of guidelines we have to adhere to.

@Scepticalch3rry

I love how the op is conveniently refusing to accept or respond to the posters telling them the fact all staff will have a DBS check.

OP it seems you don't want discussion just people agreeing its awful poor little flowers are expected to go and play in a supervised play space without their parents.

YABU

I don’t think it’s the lack of DBS check that’s the issue! It’s just a general musing of how unlikely it is that people will merrily wave their four year old off at the door at a trampoline park.

@halcyondays

Staff at a day nursery and in a care home may also be on minimum wage, this doesn’t mean they’re not responsible enough to look after those in their care.

Do they get the same amount of training as softplay floor supervisors?

Or just a tiny, tiny bit more? Or actually, quite a lot more?

So if you are sitting in a balcony at a trampoline park @JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows how effective would you be at actually closely supervising your child

I teach teenagers and half my sixth form have jobs in local soft play centres as 'play supervisors'. Which means watching the kids go one at a time on the death slides, straightening mats, putting balls back that were flung out the ball out etc. I love my pupils but I wouldn't trust some of them with a goldfish let alone a 4yo.