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?

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

I also didn't know IKEA had a children's area! probably because I avoid IKEA like the plague

they do. Used by the same parents who plonk their kids in a soft play and ignore them for 2 hours.... So you will never have a discussion with those!

I lost count of the times I saw a kid stuck (and ignored) crying hysterically because their parent didn't care, a brat hurting everyone whilst mummy dearest was on her phone , or a kid peeing on a corner...

These parents used Ikea and any drop and run thing they can possibly find.

Also as a teacher @JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows you probably won’t have had to use holiday clubs during summer holidays, but many other working parents will have done, which will involve dropping off 4 year olds with no parental supervision

I don't see why this has become such a long discussion.
Opening supervised play sessions without parents in attendance is the only way that trampoline centres can open under Covid restrictions.
The trampoline park has decided it would rather open than not open, so has to abide by these restrictions.
If you're the parent of a 4 year old who is used to following your child around the trampoline park, you are unlikely to be happy with this and you therefore won't send your child.
If you're a parent of an older child, or was accustomed to sit in the cafe and not watch your child anyway, you'll probably be perfectly happy.

You personally might not be happy with this for your 4 year old, but plenty of parents (for example) dropped and ran at Reception soft play birthday parties before Covid and this is not much different. That's why they are saying fine for 4+. They are relying on parents sending their child (or not) depending on a parent's judgement of their child. And I would imagine if a child gets hurt/bursts into tears and is inconsolable, they will probably take them out to their parent.

Yes, there will be some parents who are not happy, but they will have enough business from those who are to make it worthwhile.

OP no one is forcing you to go. If you don't like the current restrictions then don't go. It really is that simple.

@RevolvingPivot

Is this an actually play center. To me It sounds like a trampoline park. The kid will be in one place on one trampoline the whole time? Or is it one where you run about and go on whatever you want too?

Have you not seen a trampoline centre? There are “beds” of multiple trampolines set into the floor, foam pits, basketball hoops etc, kids bounce around from one to the other and off the walls. It’s not old style jumping up and down in one trampoline.

So you'd never let them go to rainbows, school, nursery, a child minder?

Except nobody really thinks softplay workers are equivalent to qualified nursery staff.

@daffodilsandprimroses

Ah so a child being able to run to a parent after being harmed is now the gist of where this is going. Funny how its gone from 'being in a cafe can't prevent harm' to now 'but then a child can run to you for help'

Just accept that as a parent, being sat in a cafe provides no protection to your child playing in a soft play. Yes they can run to you and ask for help, or run over crying after being pushed over. But none of those is preventative.

These are SUPERVISED trampoline sessions, not even sure why this has even turned into a soft play discussion as that is not opening until May 17th.

I find it odd how you're accepting of putting your children in unsafe sleeping arrangements but getting worked up about this. Its mighty odd how some parents pick and choose when to keep their child safe (when it suits them it seems)

Thanks @TattiePants - reassuring to know not all the floor will be used. But yea I think the issue is just 4 is way too young. Gonna look out to see what other soft play/trampoline parks are planning.

I think if play centres are forced into a corner by the government where they have to make it even more unappealing for parents to pay to attend, that's disgraceful.

Would never leave them alone. Two bad experiences. DS6 was kicked in the face by another child blood everywhere, we left immediately, never knew who did it and play staff never asked if he was ok. A second time a parent decided my child had smacked hers and proceeded to shout at me whilst I tried to eat a meal with my child. She knew the staff member on and staff member stood inches away from me arms folded and allowing her to shout. I just left all the food and never went back. My child Was in tears. It's changed management but I could never go back. Dens of woe. With that said, I wouldn't leave my child there. Ever.

It would be more like Lord of The Flies than usual so it seems like a bad idea to me.

I expect the owners have looked into it and Facebook post is correct.

I also expect most people will not leave a 4 year old. I think it is something fun for older children to do and enough people will be willing to leave children for the business to make money.

I am sure the "young adults" around me who worked in such places will be delighted to be told they are as qualified and experienced with children than teachers or nursery workers

They can start applying straight away for other roles then!

@Pumperthepumper

So you'd never let them go to rainbows, school, nursery, a child minder?

Except nobody really thinks softplay workers are equivalent to qualified nursery staff.

But they're still random people are they not?

And what about rainbows?

I just love your convenient quoting :)

[quote Scepticalch3rry]@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

These are supervised sessions, yes children hurt other children, but you being in there or a staff member being in there is the same thing.

You sat in a cafe wouldn't be able to stop someone harming your child.

Get a bloody grip[/quote]
If I am watching my children and someone hurts them, and I can stop it before it goes too far or they can run to me and tell me so I can watch out for the child they've told me is bothering them.

No grips needed thanks. Sorry my parenting isn't lax and shit

I'm not concerned about going - I'm asking if this sounds right. Because to me, letting a load of 4 year olds run around soft play and on trampolines while their parents sit in the car outside doesn't seem like a particularly good idea but apparently I'm in a minority

This sounds like an amazing idea. I would absolutely do this. The opportunity to leave the kids in a supervised environment while I get a couple of hours peace in the cars sounds brilliant.

@Ponoka7

"Most don't allow parents in the play area regardless"

I've never been in a soft play were parents aren't close enough to stop issues happening and on to the equipment if needed. Even then kids get thumped, so Staff watching isn't adequate.

Same.

Staff can't possible manage all the social issues soft play unfortunately brings. My DD got thumped by an older boy when she was 6, I saw and was able to run up, bollock him, tell his mum (who didn't give a shit) and look out for it not happening again. Staff just couldn't do this at an adequate level, and they shouldn't have to either.

And just to add, I expect the staff will keep a much closer eye on the kids than the majority of parents do at these things. They are there to work after all (and not gossip with their mate who has also taken their kids).

[quote JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]@Plumbear2

Why are you expecting to use one then? 😂

Um, I wasn't. Again, can you point out where I've said I expect to use a cafe? Remember - the thread isn't about me trying to change the rules, it's about understanding of this Facebook post was correct or not[/quote]
You are expecting parents to congregate inside to watch their kids, usually this is in the cafe area. Cafes are closed on doors. Congregating inside is illegal, watching activities inside and out is not permitted at the moment . How are you not getting this? You don't like or agree with the current set up that's fine. Businesses would be forced to close or worse if they don't follow the restrictions. You carnt stay inside to supervise at present by law. Don't like it , fine that's your choice just don't go.

But they're still random people are they not?

No, nursery staff are not ‘random people’ - they’re qualified staff who are trained in childcare.

And what about rainbows?

Rainbows staff have more training that softplay floor workers too.

I just love your convenient quoting smile

I love your insistence that softplay is exactly the same as nursery 😂

@Hallyup5

Would you allow them to go to Rainbows or whatever the scouting equivalent is (age 5)? Would you allow them to go to school nursery (age 3)? Or any sort of childcare for younger children? You wouldn't be present at any of these, even outside the building. It's exactly the same, often for a longer period of time. The staff are appropriately trained so I don't see your issue.

For the FIFTH time (wish people would RTFT or at least OP comments) it's not this kind of session, it's free play trampolining

I don’t think it will be as ‘supervised’ as some here believe. A member of staff standing at the side while 20 kids jump around crazy is ‘supervising.’ That’s not adequate. Companies will do the bare minimum so you can guarantee that’s what ‘supervised’ means.

I would leave mine (5 and 6).
I mean, they wouldnt exactly be able to go anywhere on their own and if something happens they would probably get the parents. Its not like i can prevent an accident if im inside the building too.

Staff just couldn't do this at an adequate level.

But you don't know how many staff there will be at each session or how many children will be there so you cannot possibly say they won't be able to adequately supervise. Without this information everything else is moot.

The staff I have encountered are barely given any kind of induction nevermind training.

My toddler nephew had a member of staff run over his foot with a catering trolley. Blood everywhere. I had to seek out a member of staff to ask for first aid. A very young person, ashen-faced, threw a first aid kit onto our table and literally ran away! When I returned the box I asked if they had an incident book for me to fill in - you'd have thought I was talking swahili!

However, the IKEA where I live have AMAZING staff. They are dbs checked andtrained in child protection (certificates on the wall). They also strictly limit numbers for supervision ratio purposes.

So I don't really get your point

My point was to ask if people thought this was right. I didn't suggest an alternative