Nursery taking kids to soft play?

[DoctorZog]

I was at our local, small soft play earlier with my 3 year old and baby. I was pretty surprised when two nursery nurses arrived (in branded nursery clothing) with 8-10 kids, aged 3-4 years I'd guess. Is this a thing? I kind of feel like soft play is something you'd do when you're a parent / carer / babysitter, perhaps a childminder, but I kind of feel like if you're paying professionals with actual qualifications to look after your kids, they should be doing slightly more interesting / challenging stuff with them? Obviously they're still little and it's all about play at this age, but they could be doing messy play, playing outside etc. And to be honest, I find it challenging to just supervise one kid at soft play, so not sure how they manage with a whole group! I dunno, maybe I'm just being a grump! Not my kids so none of my business really, but would be interested to hear other people's views.

Meh, assuming it's not every day don't see the harm.

Surely as long as the parents know it’s not a problem. Lots of children are in day care for very long hours, and need a change of scene, and a varying experiences.

I think it's great. Bit of variety for them, they were probably super excited to go.

It's OK for kids to just have fun for no reason whatsoever, even if they're with a trained professional who could be doing all kinds of improving activities instead.

Do you realise a childminder is a professional with qualifications. Quite often with more than nursery staff? 🙄

I think that sounds like a fun weekly outing tbh.

You're just being a grump.

They don't even do anything challenging at primary school why would they at nursery?

I’d be more than happy for my son’s nursery to take him to a soft play area. I seriously doubt they go every day, it’s a fun experience for the kids to go with their nursery friends - and it’s perfectly possible to create interest and challenge at a soft play area through play.

I’m afraid I think you’re being a grump.

I would be fine with this so long as the soft play itself was very secure.

My child would absolutely love this 😁 wouldn't bother me in the slightest! If they are looked after and having fun I really don't mind what the activity is.

Never used a childminder so haven't looked into what qualifications they may or may not have.

That's a great little day out for the nursery kids with their friends.
They get a change of scenery, new things to play with, new challenges, they play with other kids from outside nursery.

It's a lovely idea. What's your problem?

Sounds great a nursery just like a home can not offer a soft play experience so great they take them to enjoy it. Would you feel the same about the park or a museum?

My daughters v. expensive nursery used to take them in a minibus to pets at home to look at the animals.

That was more annoying for others tbh.

I don't see a problem with this, as long as there are enough staff. At nursery the children will be playing a lot anyway, either outside or inside on similar equipment to soft play.

What more interesting and challenging activities do you think the nursery staff should be doing?

The children will presumably have walked there and back to the soft play, getting some fresh air and exercise.

They will be in branded clothing to make them easier to spot while they're playing.

Maybe best not to assume then 👍🏻

BTW, YABU

This makes me quite sad. Children are still learning about the world just by being in the world. It doesn't all have to be structured play.

What on earth is wrong with that? My kids are going to Legoland with school after SATS, should they not?

Would you not want them to go to the park, go an appropriate aged trip to a farm park etc, or play with soft play foam stuff in nursery like a lot of them have?

I don't think you're being a grump but I do think you are being very condescending about people whose kids are in nursery.

Most of them are nothing of the sort. You don't need any formal qualifications at all to set yourself up as a childminder, and most of them don't have any specific training at all.

Pre covid my son's nursery used to take them for an outing once a month.

They'd go to the local park or a visit to an allotment or anything really. Fun day out for the kids.

It is challenging for their physical development. In very obvious ways. They are climbing and jumping and sliding. All very obvious physical things.

I don’t understand why you see it as inappropriate.

Why make such a ridiculous assumption then

I think if it was everyday it would be different but as a treat its fine. Assuming the extra costs wouldn't continously be absorbed by the nursery- I imagine it's a trip the parents have probably paid extra for

Happy to be told that I'm being a grump 😆

I dunno - just seems a bit mad to drag a load of young kids out on a bus / minivan, drive them down the road and have the stress of having to make sure none of them hurt themselves or run off, when there's loads of fun things they could be doing at nursery. I'd rather take them on outings myself at that age, but perhaps I'm just overly anxious...

You're being a grump. There's noting wrong with it.

I agree, and did actually say that it my original post.