Uncut whole grapes at playgroup

[Holidayhumbug]

Not sure if I'm being over cautious or overly sensitive but went to a playgroup yesterday in our local community hall. It's for 0-4 so a lot of babies and toddlers as well as preschoolers. When it was snack time in the middle of the session there was a table of fresh fruit - easy peelers and grapes. The grapes were whole and just there for the children to help themselves. Nothing available for parents to slice them up. To me this is a massive choking hazard and I would hope that a playgroup specifically for babies and toddlers wouldn't expose them to this risk.
AIBU to expect some kind of health and safety or risk assessing to be happening and things like that shouldn't happen?

If it's run by volunteers they may not know. No we don't get any kind of training, who would fund it. It's very much rock up and do your best. I imagine older volunteers may not have considered this, just tell them.

I’m usually pretty laid back about most things but this would massively concern me!!
They are a major choking hazard because of the size and shape - everyone knows this. And what is it to simply cut them in half?? Totally worth mitigating the risk of what could happen IMO.

It's run by two paid staff and then volunteer helpers

Our playgroup is 0-5 and whenever they do grapes for snack they’re always quartered. I’d definitely talk to the people who run it.

A playgroup near me always quartered grapes, but a primary aged child still choked and tragically died on a quarter.

Easy answer is just no grapes at all in that kind of setting where kids aren't under constant supervision

Definitely tell them.
Paramedic friend told me that grapes were a nightmare for choking - exact right size, and a texture that means they easily get stuck.

I agree with you. Did they take them away when you mentioned it?

yes, yadnbu. Only stopped cutting grapes about age 7. 0-4 is scary- also make sure they know to chop them into 4, my friends minder used to chop them in half and then realised and sent messages to them apologising saying she’d been cutting them in half only to that point

It depends who it is being run by really. A few older ladies running a holiday where parents also attend then i am not sure there will be much of a risk assessment done. I am not very old (60) and i know i didn't cut grapes when mine were small. It's only being on here has made me aware it is the done thing now. Not everyone may be aware. If the parents are there then they can risk assess the situation. Your options are to point it out to whoever is running the group, take an knife next time and cut the grapes yourself or don't attend this group in future.

Given it is an environment for pre schoolers I'm really suprised that whole grapes were provided, I defo would flag this with whoever runs the group or supplies the snacks, and would have removed them from the table, this isn't just something over cautious parents do. My own children are adults, but even way back then it was a thing to slice grapes lenght ways as they are a clear choking hazzard.

Maybe you could show them this and point it out in a neutral here-is-current-guidelines way?

My friend who came with me said that she raised it a couple of months ago when they did a fruit kebab activity at a session for preschool and reception age (same 2 paid staff). It obviously hasn't gone in.
When I mentioned it today they eventually offered a blunt childrens plastic knife for me to try to cut them with but didn't remove them. Felt a bit like I was one of the only ones bothered by it.
Think the solution is that we find somewhere else to go. Lots in the next village. Think it's the fact that it is paid staff (age 40 ish) that aren't considering these things that shocked me

Thanks will pass this on

thanks will pass this on

Like you, I also fed my children whole grapes and other food which are now considered choking risks but I would not do that now. I tended to sit with my children while they ate anyway to avoid food getting spilt on the floor! Baby led weaning was not the trend either so I spoon fed them anyway.

I’m shocked that playgroup leaders were not aware of the dangers, I don’t have grandchildren but have read lots of articles in newspapers about chocking hazards. It scares me a little about how lax we were in the 1980s and 1990s!

I am mid-40s and had kids 20 years ago. I don't think I have ever cut grapes for them and I didn't know you were supposed to. Luckily nothing happened, but it could just be that they are unaware of the dangers. I think you can keep going but either staying away from the grapes or bring something to cut them with. Although, now that I read that back I realise that it would be insane to bring a knife to a toddler group.

Grapes should be cut long ways rather than across. Sausage is another hazard that people cut the wrong way.

My mum is mid 70s and always knew about cutting grapes for kids, but cut across rather than long ways.