To think this isn’t ok

[BathtimeScroller]

DD is 2 and has just moved up to the toddler room at nursery. The nursery has a large garden which is split in 2 halves, babies in one half (age 0-2) and toddlers/pre school in the other (age 2-4).

during her first week in the toddler room I twice (two days in a row) came to collect her and found tiny pieces of Lego in her mouth, that preschoolers have brought into the garden. I complained that this had happened 2 days in a row and the Lego was removed from the building. The following week her hand was shut in a door and she has a bruise under her nail.

In the babies half of the garden there is a large oak tree which at the moment is dropping acorns all over the garden. When picking up DD today I noticed they were in the babies section and the babies were in the toddler section and I also noticed the acorns, which are basically the same size as grapes and rock hard - the top part has fallen off of them so they are just completely smooth and oval shaped and to me are a complete choke hazard.

Spoke to the managers who told me they were not choke hazards. However they also said they had removed the under 2s from that half of the garden due to them?! So why is it ok for my 2 year old to be in that part of the garden then? There were probably about 100 of them. I understand that if I went to a park with her there would be the same but the issue is they aren’t able to watch them one on one like I am.

what do people think, I tend to be an anxious person so not sure if I’m overthinking it but my toddler is still putting things in her mouth and it just doesn’t feel safe.

Just look for a new nursery OP. I'm pretty laid back but lego in the mouth 2 days running is a massive no from me.
I'd mention your concern of the acorns to the manager, the after school club near me has a similar issue they sweep the yard. The older kids have outside toy brushes that they use to help!

Thanks both, you’ve made me realise I’m not crazy! I forgot to add, that we are trying to move House at the moment (to a new area) so I will have to move her regardless in the coming months - but we don’t yet have a buyer. Not sure if it’s worth the upheaval or moving twice? Equally I don’t want her there!

Not an easy one, it'll depend on how comfortable you are with how you think DD will cope with the possible 3 moves in the next 2/3 years. Depending on if you send her to school nursery and after school club/wrap around care or leave her at the nursery, then to reception.
How quickly do houses sell in your area?
A lot af variables.
Ultimately if you are not happy with the nursery you can move her.

Tiny lego and acorns are massive choking hazards to small children.

I don’t think she’d cope brilliantly with all that upheaval… it would be much better if I could keep her at the nursery until we move. I just don’t know how I‘ll get over the anxiety of her being there. Difficult decision!

Yeah this is what I thought, not sure why they are trying to claim otherwise

Yes if she’s still putting things in her mouth then it is dangerous. They need to keep your dd away from that area.

I would honestly make a formal complaint - I’m a pretty relaxed parent but there have been several incidents of small children choking at nursery and Lego in the mouth and acorns for children under 4 is an absolute no.

I used to work in a nursery and it used to worry me so much that the babies could put gravel from our garden area in their mouths. Fortunately there were no choking incidents in the year I was there. We also used to put things like Cheerios outside in a tray for them to play with and I didn't think it was very hygienic and used to say we shouldn't do that (it was set up and left outside before the children came out). Fortunately one day the manager witnessed a few birds sitting on the tray so food items were banned after that. The trouble is, some nursery staff do not seem to have a lot of common sense. Why do they even have normal Lego in a setting for under 5s? They should only have Duplo in the first place then there wouldn't be any tiny parts. I think if you could trust that the staff are vigilant around the acorns it wouldn't be such a worry but they're obviously not. I would definitely be raising these concerns. Firstly to the room leader and then to the manager.