Playgroup help.......should I complain?

[lexiemum]

DD1 has been going to a community nursery playgroup for one afternoon since january. Her favourite activity is painting and usually has paint on her cuffs or in her hair at the end of the day and to this end bought her 3 sets of cheapy tracksuits so wasn't too concerned.

Anyway today, go and collect her and find her clothes covered in paint - in all the places which are usually covered by an apron. The worst though was that she had obviously been painting outside (they have easels set up) as her coat was completely covered in paint - the whole of the front, hood and rear - to the extent that any amount of vanish or washin is just not going to get it out.

Have some obvious concerns about this:
a) why wasn't she wearing an apron
b) was she being supervised - don't think so as the rear of her coat has obviously been "painted" on by someone.
c) friends child has a coat covered in paint too - so its likely that they were probably painting each other


I got given an evaluation form today - to mark and comment on their service.

Do I address this issue informally, formally or just leave a note on the evaluation form.

[tomal]

I would certainly speak to the manager/supervisor. Does your daughter mind wearing an apron? In my playgroup we do not stop them painting if they refuse to wear an apron, but we do warn parents that this is the case. Some children do not like the feeling of aprons round their necks, wrists etc.We also encourage independence and there is not a member of staff near the easel all the time. we encourage children to put on their own aprons.

[lexiemum]

yes she wears one, without complaining but they are yet to provide ones with sleeves. There are no aprons provided by the outdoor painting area. I do feel that 2 - 3yrs olds need to be prompted to do this though (they are all only in this environment for max 2 sessions a week) - I have observed the leaders do this at the internal table but not in the external area (I have spent two near full sessions with DD, whilst she settled in, sitting and observing)

After chatting with another mum, whos in the same boat - am going to add to the evaluation form that was given and ask that someone contacts me to discuss the clothing policy and take it from there.