To think that children aged 3 & 4 sholdn't be eating food unattended at school

[Pennies]

DDs (aged 3 & 4) go to a preschool which is attached to a main school. We are asked to provide fruit for them for their break time. I've just learned that the children sit and have their milk and are then let into the playground, which has access to wooded areas where they can be out of sight from staff, with their fruit pots (provided by parents, consisting of what ever fruit, in whatever form their children prefer, inc. grapes, whole apples, olives, carrots etc).

So, what if one of them chokes?

I posed this question to the teacher today and was told "we've done it this way for years".

AIBU to think that this is a risk they should not be taking?

I wouldn't be happy with that arrangement myself at that age.

I imagine a teenager who was choking would have the sense (even in a panicked state) to get help. Most 3 or 4 year olds wouldn't.

YANBU

Sorry, but I also think yabu. At that stage we weren't supervised every single second while we're eating (ate fruit in the garden often - mess outside ), neither has any of my friends.

It sounds idyllic, wandering in the woods with their pots of fruit.

My own children used to wander to the end of the garden while munching a carrot, biscuit or whatever at the age of 3 or 4,so I can't see the problem here.

YABU

Reminds me of a post a while ago when someone was asking at what age it was safe to let a child wear a scarf unsupervised!

Can you not cut the fruit up very small for your dc so as to minimise the risk.

Age 3 is borderline possible choking age. I'd be wary too.

do you never let them out of your sights while they eat?

seeker i missed that!!!

I'm still with Pennies. I didn't leave my children to eat unsupervised at 3 or 4. Nor did they go anywhere unsupervised at that age, with or without scarf!

Dont you think they should sit down to eat though - even if it is only a snack

Surely it would be easier to sit whilst eating and drinking - then run about, play etc

YANBU

oh god, I must be the most neglactful mum then.

at three, two even, mine were having picnics in the garden, unsupervised, while I caught up with housework knowing they were safe and entertained.

seriously, sometimes, people see too much danger where there is none

"Nor did they go anywhere unsupervised at that age" What not even into the garden or upstairs in their rooms?

i do agree they should be sitting to eat actually.
i leave my 3 year old to eat sometimes but i know he wont run around-hes a greedy piggy who knows you sit when you eat.

YABU - I think it's the undue worry of 'perceived danger versus real danger'

It is such a small risk - very very small.

I don't suppose we were ever all going to agree on this one!! But I don't think the danger is as small as you're making out - here. THo no doubt someone else will find another article which contradicts it.

3,200 children are treated each year for baby walker injury's !!!

5,000 are treated for RTA injury's!!!

There are alot of scary thing out there for kids.....

'seriously, sometimes, people see too much danger where there is none'

Of course there is SOME danger!! I have to admit though choking is one of my worst fears even though I know how to 'deal' with it if either of mine ever do

Interesting variety of responses, thank you.

I do cut the children's fruit up, but DD2 is something of a scoffer and has a tendency to overfill.

Also, I do not let the children out of my sight or immediate access whilst they are eating, unless they're eating something like ice-cream. This is for two reasons: 1) so I can be on hand to help if they do choke, and 2) because I expect them to be sitting down to eat, even if it is a snack.

My concern is exactly what mylifemykids said at Wed 04-Mar-09 21:17:54 - would they have the know how or even ability to get the help they required if they were in the woods and out of sight of a teacher? At that age I think not.

To me I suppose that yes, the risk is minimal, but if it were to happen then the outcome (i.e. the potential death of a child) is so enormous that it seems odd to dismiss it.

If you also bear in mind that they are sitting down only 5 minutes before they go outside because this is when they drink their milk and the only reason they don't give their fruit then is down to timings.

YANBU - I would be very concerned about this not just from a choking perspective but also what if some other child keeps nicking your child fruit?!!

I think that from a manners point of view, as well as a safety point of view, they should not be wandering about eating in the first place. Eating should be done sitting down in my view. Yes, choking on a grape while running is a possibility. I am amazed the nursery has got away with it for this long tbh.

PS - don't think anyone mentioned this but if you do an official risk assessment ie grade the frequency then the severity of injury the risk assessment would come out at a shocking score because the potential for death from choking is high if its not caught. So although the frequency (or likelihood) of the choking happening is slim the results if it does happen are diasterous so from Risk perspective they need to modify the way they are doing this

Hope this makes sense!!!!!

I don't think you are being unreasonable. I don't let ds walk around with food in his mouth and I don't let the children at the nursery where I help out do so either. Choking is a serious hazard and it is not as rare as some of you seem to think.

I also work in a nursery and we don't let them walk around with food, and we certainly wouldn't let them out of sight with food.

oh and what if they drop it and then eats it- with twigs, woodchips, pigeon shit etc.

Not very sensible tbh.

And the risk is very low- but the death of a child is so disterous that it's prob best not done.

Does seema bit bonkers tbh