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.

My DD nursery goes to the local park several times a week.

They’re doing a trip to a reasonably big soft play in a few weeks as a treat. Was actually their Christmas party that got cancelled due to covid. I’m more than happy for DD to go and delighted that I don’t have to endure it!

Hahaha, I’m sorry, but you sound so precious. I doubt they go to a soft play every week. It’s probably once a month or once a year occasion, and kids love it.
Are your kids only allowed to read intelligent books and learn maths? God forbid have a minute of fun.

Ermmm... where have I publicly slated childminders? Do you actually talk to people in real life like this? What a delight you must be.... 🙄

Ok guys, as much as I'm enjoying the group pile on, I think I'm going to leave now. I suggest that you read my replies before commenting, might save you some time! I feel like a lot of you have massively misunderstood where I was coming from in this post and I can't really be arsed to keep defending myself. To those of you who took the time to write thoughtful, interesting and non confrontational comments, thanks again.

My DDs primary school take all of Year 2 to a soft play after SATs.

They take Year 6 to an inflatable obstacle place which to me is basically the same as Soft Play.

It's the highlight of the year for both Year groups and is spoken about for years before and after.

Lovely. What a wonderful way for them to practise their gross motor skills and social skills in a setting that's different to their everyday routine. Fun for them as well.

You do realise not everyone can afford these outings? For a child with a free council nursery place this might be their only soft play opportunity? YABU.

Why would it matter, they are being looked after and having fun, my kids would have loved it. Our nursery is a school one, they do a bit of everything, probably more learning than most nurseries, even they have free time to play, whats the difference between them playing in the nursery garden and them playing on the slides at soft play?

That is priceless!! CFuckery at its best. 🤣🤣🤣

Do you helicopter around after your kids at the soft play then?

My kids went to pre-school in the same building as a soft play so they were allowed to go there really often. I thought this aspect was great not something to be critical about.

I think it's a great day for them. They need that physical release of climbing, it's a bit like a PE lesson

Quite right. My toddler currently learns calligraphy, mandarin, grade 8 violin and studying for an MBA at her nursery. Taking her to frivolous places like soft play would just slow her otherwise path to world domination by the age of 8 otherwise.

Lots of people don't bother to even read the OP's replies before the post.
They read the OP, rub their hands together as they compile their unkind response.

Ha, so did ours! DS2 subsequently dragged us on independent outings there, he thought it was the best place ever.

(unless it's the same nursery...)

You’re calling someone a cunt for not knowing what qualifications childminders have?! Jesus. What an unpleasant overreaction.

They should be doing slightly more interesting / challenging stuff with them?

I can't think of many things more interesting / challenging for 3-4 year olds than soft play. They'll be improving their gross and fine motor skills, learning about cause and effect, developing social skills like taking turns, developing emotionally for example by dealing with conflict. They're also pandemic toddlers who will have had limited opportunities to visit soft play so I think it's great that their nursery are taking them there.

Soft play tends to be rammed on a weekend and full of bigger kids. During the week it’s quieter so it gives the chance for them to explore and play better. Otherwise they never get the experience those kids whose parents don’t work get.

Not far from where we live there is a preschool/nursery attached to a large soft play venue.

The nursery attendees get to play in the massive softplay before it opens to the public at 10.30 each day.

My own dc were quite envious watching the dozen or so pre-schoolers having a blast with the equipment to themselves before being rounded up and ushered through the connecting doorway whilst we waited in the coffee shop viewing area for 10.30 entry with hoards of other paying customers. Coffee shop opened at 10.00 and soft play at 10.30... the owners of that place were excellent business people.

My DC used to go to a nursery based in a building that used to be a soft play centre, with equipment still in place. As far as I'm aware they used it every day. They loved it there so I was happy, never occurred to me it should be seen as anything other than a benefit.

Not really. Pets at Home do some educational workshops that are age appropriate. Nothing wrong with that and the kids love it.

Trips out and about are very beneficial for young children, especially those who may be in nursery full time. Staffing is usually over ratio when going out and the children are learning skills such as following instructions, safety and independence. Soft play will also be good for cooperative play, turn taking and physical development.

All trips will have been risk assessed to ensure the children gain more from the activity against the risks of taking them out.

I wish our nursery would do this, to save me having to endure soft play. 😃

Struggling to see what the issue is here.

You are being a grump 😃

it’s nice for kids to go out on trips

venue would have been risk assessed

parents would have been asked for consent

Our local softplay is next to a nursery and I know they go in twice a week. Seems great for me, an hour or two out of the day to really run around and burn off some energy is what little kids need!!