Daycare using water beads - should I complain?

[Mamamia1992]

Slightly nervous new mum sending baby to daycare for the first time and I've seen in their pics that they use water beads in sensory play trays...I know that these are now considered a massive risk to babies and children and can even be deadly. I don't want to seem overdramatic but I also saw them leave cups of tea and coffee out on the table in reach of babies and children..am I being unreasonable to complain before my baby even starts?! I don't want to be that parent who thinks they know best, they seem really nurturing and kind and obviously care about the children and I don't want to get off on the wrong foot. Basically, do you think I'm being overprotective or reasonable in saying something?!

No, I wouldn't send my child there/I would raise the issue. As you say, incredibly dangerous and they sound unaware of basic health and safety if they don't even realise not to have cups of tea in pictures?! If they seem really kind then I imagine they'll be open to a discussion and you won't need to go in all guns blazing!

Reasonable. Nurseries shouldn't be using water beads. A couple of kids supervised per adult then fine, but with so many kids per adult it's a risk. Probably a small one but there have been so many warnings about them from official bodies that YANBU.

I hadn't heard of water beads OP so I just googled - oh my god they sound incredibly dangerous and there's no way they should be using them. Leaving hot drinks in reach of little ones is a big hazard too. They don't sound great.

Fucking hell OP. Don't send your child there and report your concerns to ofsted.

Blimey this warrants reporting to the LA or OFSTEAD

I would complain. I know it’s not fun but your views are valid and the other children could be in danger.

I also looked up waterbeads, they are not safe to be around babies! Tea/ Coffee cups should also be no where near them.

Nothing like this but my nursery were very good at addressing any of my worries/ queries when DS started. I'd email them and see how they respond to you

If you have tea or coffee at home you don't have it in reach of children. It's such a safety concerns that midwives often tell parents this

They may be unaware.

I wouldn't use this nursery and for the sake of the children there I would report this.

It feels horrible complaining but it sounds like you need to. You should really report to ofsted it's awful little ones are in such danger. It's not personal to the staff they need better management.

I would complain, and if they don't know the dangers they shouldn't be childcare professionals

It's not malicious to complain. Its not malicious to leave your cup of tea in reach of a baby. But it is very very basic health and safety.

If they’re leaving hot drinks in the reach of children and supplying unsafe toys, they should be shut down 🤷‍♀️

Why are you still considering sending your child there?

Your concerns about water beads and hot drinks at daycare are valid. Share your worries with the staff courteously, focusing on child safety. Trust your instincts—you're advocating for your child's safety, not being overprotective. Open communication is essential.