Is this right for a baby in nursery?!

[Nurseryimumma]

First time mum so have no idea if this is normal or not. I have a 14 month old. She is in a room with 1 year olds to 20 month olds. They are all walking, she is not, though she can stand on her own. Ive been told that she will go outside to the lawn/decking area with them all at lunchtime… I am not ok with this as she is crawling still?! Am I being over the top about this or is this a bit grim? Id rather she went outside when she can actually walk.

I’m well over the top about germs but I made sure mine could crawl outside when safe - eg in the garden on the grass, on the beach etc. I drew the line at the local park cos of dog shit ! But at nursery totally fine and also purposely designed for them - with decking and grass or artificial grass, no sharp edges etc

...which is also fine

I work sometimes in a nursery, I would ask whether it’s normal practice for non walkers to be in the walking room what is their policy.. is there equipment for her to pull herself up? Are the older children using larger/scooting type bikes and how are they going to keep her from being knocked.

Are they washing their hands after?

And also more germs on the equipment indoors no doubt. Other kids putting things in mouth before her, snotty noses, coughing over toys etc

@NerrSnerr so when you take a toddler for a walk they will still pick up things from the ground? I have never experienced this so don’t know what to expect! I will definitely worry about that

@Thenakedwineglass thanks, yes it’s artificial grass and decking

Walking isn’t going to stop her rolling about on the ground. Please relax about outside.

You'll be going to parks where they'll be touching everything. They will play games while sat on the floor so have hands on the floor. It's not a worry. It's just normal.

Everyone on this thread will have had children who will have been brought up doing the very normal thing of being able to touch the ground outside. My kids are 9 and 6 and will do cartwheels and stuff outside- so still touching the grass. It's normal. You need to come to terms with the fact your kids will get dirty, and eat mud and all the rest.

Every walk at a certain age we came home with a stick.

Yes. Sticks and acorns and stones.

@Nurseryimumma The day my son goes on a walk without picking up a stick I think I’ll cry as I’ll know he’s all grown up.

Me too. I'm quite teary thinking about it.

The walking/not walking transition isn't as binary as you expect in terms of mud exposure. For years after learning to walk, kids still get mucky in the mud! You must get ok with mud on skin, op. It doesn't do harm.

Did you know nearly all modern antibiotics have been discovered from soil? Soil (and therefore mud) is one of the most biodiverse materials you can get.

Yes i know, i have 4dcs. I don't think I've ever really given it much thought about germs through play, outside etc.
Luckily they all also have great immune systems and rarely get ill other than a slight cold ( probably jinxed myself now haha)

Mine are often knee deep in mud, puddles, sand etc. Hands filthy, as long as washed when eat its all good. In fact there's prob been many occasions when out in Forrest, got muddy and haven't had anyway of washing hands except a baby wipe before eating.
As my dad says a bit of dirt never hurt

For many years to come they will be picking up stones and twigs to add to their “collections”.

Ours have lessened in frequency but the sticks that do get picked up are now branches. At least it’s easier to veto the stick coming home now 😂

YABU

Don't forget pigeon feathers 😉 they're the only thing that creep me out a bit with germs

DD at various ages pre walking

This is entirely normal. Do you have a germ phobia @Nurseryimumma, babies and toddlers are allowed to get dirty hands and they put everything in their mouths. Obviously they need supervision but it is expected that they will touch and lick all sorts, walking and not walking.

Just found this picture. They were about 3 and 6 in this picture.

Found a pine cone in my pocket the other day I don't even remember going in.

OP it's good for children to explore outdoors, and it's fine for them to touch the things they find including the ground!

A nursery that brings the DC outside is a big plus, not something to worry about.

Our nursery has a mud kitchen!

OP, Google "Mud kitchen"... That's what they have at DC's nursery - totally normal.

OP I hate to break it to you, but the ground outside is almost certainly less germ ridden than everything inside the nursery. Kids are gross 😝

Yes those freak me out a bit too