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Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

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Original poster

Nursery wants to take children on external trips - normal?

22 replies

Fi1982 · 10/05/2018 21:47

Any help or advice gratefully received!

Sending my precious daughter to nursery in July, dreading it and am generally quite an anxious person, which is why I wanted to check if I’m being over the top or sensibly cautious!

The nursery we like (which is also used by another family member so comes recommended) mentioned taking the children out on local trips now and again, eg library, local park. I know that they have three children per key worker, so I imagine that’s the ratio they would be working with while out in public too. Does this sound enough/normal? Is it a usual occurrence for nursery staff to take the children off-site this way? Does your nursery do it, and if so, what’s the staff:child ratio?

Many thanks for any/all replies!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

PotteringAlong · 10/05/2018 21:48

They do at my children’s nursery.

TheIsland · 10/05/2018 21:48

Totally normal, and a similar ratio.

Are you getting help for your anxiety?

Carboholic · 10/05/2018 21:48

Ours does. We get asked for each trip ahead of time, and I trust them and don't worry. These people know what they're doing!!

iheartmichellemallon · 10/05/2018 21:49

Totally normal in my experience also.

NancyJoan · 10/05/2018 21:49

Sounds lovely. They will make sure your DD has fun.

AvoidingDM · 10/05/2018 21:50

Sounds like a really good nursery. In my mind it's really important that kids get to experience those things especially if they are in nursery full time or almost full time. When parents may struggle to fit thing into the weekend.

halcyondays · 10/05/2018 21:51

I've seen plenty of nurseries taking kids out like this and always marvel at how good the children are, compared to when they're being taken out with a parent. Never seem to be any trying to escape.

SoyDora · 10/05/2018 21:51

Sounds lovely.

Nothisispatrick · 10/05/2018 21:52

Totally normal. Usually a one adult two children ratio.

HorseDentist · 10/05/2018 21:53

Totally normal. They used to take mine to Tesco to buy lunch on a regular basis. He loved it.

FuckingHateRain · 10/05/2018 21:55

Ours too, it's normal but you can opt out if you want to. Assuming it's your first kid and always has been with you till now, I can see how this feels odd....

flamingofridays · 10/05/2018 21:55

Yep our nursery do it. They went to the library and then to the police station the other day! Totally fine. They go to the park sometimes. Shops sometimes. Normal stuff.

Twofishfingers · 10/05/2018 21:55

It's normally local places that they can walk to. I'm a childminder and take children to the park, library, local city farm, etc and there are often nursery children there, they are well looked after and ratio is followed. They always have a first aid kit, and the children often have high viz vests. It looks very safe. Sounds like a good nursery.

Ummmmgogo · 10/05/2018 21:58

normal but it's rare to see little babies out on a trip. I normally see 2yo and up walking along in cute high vis jackets.

Tailfeather · 10/05/2018 22:06

None of my local nurseries do this and I'm gutted. Hate the thought of my 18 month old cooped up with only a playroom and small garden to explore. I'd love him to be able to go on trips and outings. How much more stimulating and exciting for them!

Mumtothenipper · 10/05/2018 22:10

Totally normal. Usually a 1:2 ratio of outside.

SleepyRoo · 10/05/2018 22:14

It is normal, but I understand your anxiety. It'll get easier as she gets older and you get used to her being in nursery.

UndergroundSun · 10/05/2018 22:15

We go to the park near a nursery and very often see small groups of children with the nursery workers. They always seem perfectly happy and I think it's great that they aren't in the same place all day everyday.

Fwend · 10/05/2018 22:15

Normal at my DS's nursery. Ratio of 1:2. He loves it - especially when they take the bus! They print out pictures for us to collect at pickup - they're my favourite.

12PurpleSnails · 10/05/2018 22:16

Very normal, our does this too, it's lovely.

Original poster

Fi1982 · 10/05/2018 22:43

Thanks very much everyone!

She is my first and probably only child, we don’t get much help and my husband works long hours, so it’s just the two of us Mon-Fri a lot of the time. The thought of handing her over to (very nice and qualified) strangers is a huge adjustment for me, but I’ve got to go back to work, so I’ve just got to get on with it really eh.

TheIsland I have managed my anxiety using therapy/exercise/relaxation techniques over the decades, it’s under control 90% of the time but I doubt it’ll ever subside entirely, hence these flare-ups. Although I’m sure a little anxiety is to be expected in this period of change!

Thanks again all.

OP posts:

insancerre · 12/05/2018 06:21

I think it's important that babies and young children get out s much as possible
When we go out we take the following precautions

At least one first aider
The nursery mobile is taken so we can be contacted or ring the nursery or emergency services
A detailed risk assessment will be on file and
A bag containing nappies, clothes, inhalers etc is taken
All children and staff wear hi viz vests with the nursery name and number on the back
Older children who are mobile and not in Paris wear a wristband with the nursery number and mobile number on
If possible, we try to take an d yrs person above the ratio

We do it loads, it's not an issue for us. We've even taken them on buses and trains

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