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Original poster

Is the nursery allowed to do this?

51 replies

kashka81 · 22/12/2015 13:35

My 13-month old son has been going to a nursery since the beginning of October this year. Last week when I called to ask how he was doing I got informed that one of the activities they did with him that day was a trip to a local Tesco to do some grocery shopping.

Initially this hadn't raised any alarm bells but after talking to my partner about it we have started to wonder whether such trips should at all be allowed as to go to Tesco they obviously had to leave the nursery premises. The educational value of such activity is also rather questionable.

Does anyone know whether this is ok? Do other nurseries do anything similar?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

OP posts:
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thelaundryfairy · 22/12/2015 15:09

I would think the nursery is being reasonable and that there is nothing for you to worry about. I am sure they will provide more information to you about their trips if it would ease your mind to know the details.

starry0ne · 22/12/2015 15:13

how old is DC?
Yes I do think you are been over reactionary..part of what pre school children need to learn is how to behave in different situations..Not just in a room.

The fact you refer to the nursery staff as strangers suggests your opinion is distorted.. I can tell you my Lo's I care about will not leave my side..Somewhere unfamiliar sit on my lap..They attach very much to nursery teachers c.minders.... You also learn about each child very quickly.

AlisonWunderland · 22/12/2015 15:14

Potenitally dangerous?

S'ok it wasn't Waitrose so no danger of there being no quinoa

starry0ne · 22/12/2015 15:14

sorry just read 13 months so likely to have been in a pushchair anyway

ineedamoreadultieradult · 22/12/2015 15:15

You may have signed something that gives permission for all trips like this so they don't have to get a form for each trip and can make ad hoc trips. Both my DS' s loved these kinds of little trips when they were in nursery and shopping and everyday activities definitely have educational value.

Original poster
kashka81 · 22/12/2015 15:22

Oh god, ok, didn't mean to annoy anyone, thought a Mumsnet forum will be a good place to ask for friendly advice and so I posted my question. Will definitely make sure not to do it again!

@those who actually tried to help - I really appreciate your feedback :)

OP posts:
BondJayneBond · 22/12/2015 15:26

When my DC started nursery, we signed a form giving blanket permission for them to be taken out of the nursery on walks. Trips requiring buses etc get individual forms.

The nursery have taken children to a number of places within walking distance, including the co-op, the post office, other shops, and the park. It helps the children learn about the world around them and the community they live in.

CharmingChampignon · 22/12/2015 15:32

I'd actually be more worried about dc never going anywhere and spending all day in one room at nursery. That's what out me off a couple of settings I looked round.

Dd1 went to the in store bakery to watch bread being made, to the local dental surgery, the opening of a community centre and just out for walks. I still see groups from her nursery out and about in buggies and on reins - they always look well organised and happy.

Also, if you don't trust the staff to keep dc safe outside, is it because you have concerns in general?

Acorncat · 22/12/2015 21:26

Check their rules if you're worried, at mine all under 3s must be in a pushchair or have reins, 3-4s must have a wrist strap and all walking kids must have a hi-viz tabard on. This stopped me worrying so much! Mine don't take the babies to the shops, just to the park or the woods but they take the older ones to buy food to cook or play with. I do understand the worry, my immediate reaction was worry but when I read up their protocol and thought about it more I relaxed a little

HSMMaCM · 23/12/2015 14:11

Sounds like a great nursery. You probably signed a permission slip when you first started. Just ask to check.

Children will quite often try a new food if they have been involved in choosing it. Supermarkets can be exciting and educational when visited for fun. This rarely happens with parents, because we are there for practical reasons.

BloodyDogHairs · 23/12/2015 16:11

kash Your DS will be fine, the nursery staff don't suddenly decide in a moments notice to leave the nursery, it will all have been planned....risk assessment, 1st aid kit, emergency contacts, which child is with what staff, head counts etc.

Suzy4321 · 23/12/2015 16:18

*Kashka81
*
Sometimes people on mums net seem to be very insulting and rude. It was a valid questions and valid concerns. I would not like baby to be taken out to a supermarket without me. Too many people around that have nothing to do with taking care of your child.

If something "bad" happens I can guarantee all these people on here will be the first to jump on the band wagon of "it's the parents fault for allowing this".

Do what you think is right if you don't want baby to go then don't let them go.

And as for all the people that want to cast ridiculous judgement and make people feel bad they can go and fuck off!!!!

insancerre · 26/12/2015 12:02

The nursery don't legally require your permission. It was removed from the statutory requirements. You probably did sign on the registration form so they don't ask each time
The educational benefits are huge and probably cover every aspect of the children's learning and development
It is sad that you see the staff in the nursery as "strangers". They certainly won't be strangers to the children they care for. They don't call them keyperson for nothing
You have no idea of the written risk assessments that those strangers have probably done to ensure the safety of your child
No childcare professional is going to risk their job by knowingly putting your child in a potentially dangerous situation
Please don't risk alienating the nursery by insisting your child has to stay on the premises. They will think you are weird

mrsmugoo · 26/12/2015 12:05

My son's nursery do excursions all the time. I think it's great for them to leave the same 4 walls from time to time!

Also, what is "educational" at 13 months - basically everything is! Learning the names of foods seems a lovely idea.

RudeElf · 26/12/2015 12:08

"Our main worry was that he might have been exposed to a potentially dangerous situation when taken out of the premises - we might have been overreacting though (we're first time parents!)"

Grin i never would have guessed.

VegetablEsoup · 26/12/2015 12:16

ansolutely fine.
our nursery did little projects like pumpkins at helloween, so they went to the supermarket to get some for carving and some ingredients to make pumpking pies.
great educational value imo

Groovee · 26/12/2015 12:25

When I worked in a private nursery, we often took the babies out on walks to get them in the fresh air. We used to have a double buggy each. As they got older, we'd walk 3-5 year olds and risk assess how good a walker a child was etc.

If we were low in numbers, we would take them to the park, the library and the museum. I've seen days where I took 2 4 year olds to buy the ingredients for our pizza making activity. Rather than it just appearing in the room.

If you are concerned speak to the nursery. A good one will reassure you.

enderwoman · 26/12/2015 12:40

I see nurseries doing this at my local shops too. I think I saw a triple or quadruple buggy used on one occasion.

It sounds strange but there are children who aren't taken to places like the supermarket or post office so wouldn't be able to play shops. Seeing it in real life is better than watching it on Tv or YouTube.

megletthesecond · 26/12/2015 12:50

My dc's often went on outings to the supermarket or library. The nursery put them in double buggies and off they went. They usually tied it in with a relevant topic, ie; weighing and selecting pumpkins and using money at Halloween.

blaeberry · 26/12/2015 12:52

A nursery near hear was heavily criticised (and closed) by ofsted. One of the critisms was that they didn't take the children out into the community. A trip to Tescos seems very educational. You don't need to look at fruit from around the world - a 13 month year old isn't operating at that level.

blaeberry · 26/12/2015 12:53

here not hear

BoneyBackJefferson · 26/12/2015 12:57

Not really any different to this just a different age group and objectives. (and possibly fewer people to watch them)

originalmavis · 26/12/2015 12:58

Check permissions - you probably signed one. Kids are often taken out the the library, local market, playpark. Ours loved a trip to portobello market (a relative of one child had a stall there). They do learn going around these places and enjoy the outing.

mamaneedsamojito · 26/12/2015 13:13

My son went to B&Q once to buy plants with nursery! Quite often they go to the shop to buy ingredient to cook with later. In terms of education I disagree with you - teaching them how to go about everyday tasks and socialise within the wider world is very educational IMHO.

leaningtoweroflego · 26/12/2015 13:21

I would be absolutely delighted to hear my DD's nursery had done this.

Her nursery is wonderful, but my only regret is that she is in the same place day-in day-out.

When we lived in a different town, DS went to a wonderful CM when he was little, and they got out and about every day. It's great for them to have new experiences, and he is a very confident little boy.

I think it does children a world of good to be out and about experiencing new things. Going on a supermarket trip which is all about them is different to tagging along for the weekly shop - and may make them better behaved in the weekly shop you never know!

OP you should be thanking them, not worrying!