Bunk Beds for 3 & 4 year olds

[evolucy7]

I bought my 2 DDs bunk beds nearly a year ago, when they were about to turn 3 and 4 in the May. As I was concerned about their ages I bought Parisot Tam Tam bunk beds, don't know if anyone is familiar with these, but they have actual steps, rather than a ladder, minimum depth of steps of 17cm front to back.
Now they have been absolutely fine no issues at all, 4 year old sleeps on top and I have told them they can swap if they like when youngest is 4 in May.
Their father and I have been separated for nealry 3 years and he has said that he is going to buy them some bunk beds at his house, he has also told the youngest that she can sleep on the top. The youngest gets out of bed regularly in the night, and brings 100s of toys out with her, I am not sure that I would be happy with her on the top of a normal ladder type. I have seen how she climbs over a stile on country walks and getting down bunk bed ladders has some of the same principles of turning around and coming down backwards. The beds we have the steps have a depth greater than the length of their feet and hence I feel are very safe. She is also very petite for her age, and with the country stiles her legs just don't reach! My ex is not good at accepting advice and having already mentioned my concerns about the bunk beds he buys, he has given no response at all!
What are the experiences of others with bunk beds and young children? Do you think I am being overly cautious? I am not convinced of ex's ideas regarding safety and sensible parenting, although that could be clouded by the fact that I dislike him with a passion!

has your DD ever been on the top yet? Must you wait until May? I am just thinking that if your ex is going to do this thing then trial runs with you are maybe good now - and if they do not work out then you have a case in point to raise with him.

You may find DD sits up in bed and yowls for assistance to go to toilet. In which case, she will be fine and he will be tired.

No she hasn't been on the top yet, I was only saying May because she will be 4 and the same age as DD1 when we got the beds. Yes I could try now and in the beds we have I think she would probably be fine, my concern is a more ladder type ladder rather than the deep steps that we have.

My dd2 and dd3 share bunk beds. They are 7 and 3.

I wouldn't be happy with my 3yo being on the top bunk tbh.

I do think it depends on the child too. If you're unhappy with it, I'd bet you're right to be.

my dd2 and dd3 are 6 and 3 and they have bumk beds. dd2 sleeps on top but dd3 insists on getting in with her if she wakes in the night. we, too, have the type with stairs rather than a ladder as i didn't fancy getting her off every time she got stuck. i'm with you on the ladder issue but don't know how you can tackle it. maybe your dd won't try to climb down and as littlepushka says her dad will be very tired when she keeps waking him up!

My Ds's aged 4 and 3 have bunks, and a vertical ladder. My 3 year old has no problem with it now he has climbed up and down enough. He was vry nervous at first but soon learnt the correct way for him. He doesn't sleep up there though and i wouldn't want him to at 3. I think you should practice with your little one at home, and you migh find that after she's tried it at her dad she might not like it, or feel safe enough.