Dilemma: really good nursery, very polluted road

[Chorltongreener]

I'm super new here, but could really do with your thoughts. My eldest daughter is currently at a brilliant nursery that I cannot fault in terms of care, community, development and the fact that she loves it and thrives there. My one and only niggling worry is that it is on a really big congested road, smack bang next to traffic lights so lots of cars starting and stopping. It has bothered me from the outset, but as it is such a good nursery I have rationalised it. She has one more year there before school starts, but I am debating whether to move her. We also have a newborn and when the time comes I don't know if I can bring myself to send her there too for this reason despite how lovely it is. It is so hard to know if I am over worrying about this, we live in a city so the air quality is never going to be great, they go on lots of trips out and about but am I putting her at risk unnecessarily by sending her there? Any constructive thoughts welcome, and thanks so much x

You are being utterly ridiculous

Do they play outside right next to the road?

You are not being ridiculous at all. Air pollution does affect little ones. It's a tricky one. Depends a bit what your other options are. If there's another nice nursery relatively near that is not on a main road I would send baby there...and possibly consider changing older child too. Though wonder why you are suddenly thinking about this now?

I have a lot of sympathy with you on this. We live in a really bad air pollution area and it worries me A LOT and is one reason why we want to move next year. I read that recent research has linked low air quality to miscarriage, which upset me hugely because I had three before DS (while living here). So I completely get why you're concerned, and don't think it's ridiculous. But childcare that you're really happy with is a very precious thing. Have you actually viewed other nurseries recently (presumably you did when your daughter began, but that was a while ago)? You might find that that makes the decision much easier as you just don't like anywhere else as much, and if you're in a city then it's likely that the others are also quite near busy roads.

Thanks all for feedback. In answer to 'why now' I 100% have been influenced by the media as it is such a hot topic at the moment, hence posting this to get a balanced opinion. All the press about the effect on young bodies has stirred up the misgivings I had I guess. Also I have just had a baby and am in hyper-protective mode which is also why I needed some sane advice ! They do play out quite a bit and soon that playground will be right next to the road. There are other nurseries about but this one is just so ruddy good thays the problem. Thanks for your food for thought

Also good to know I'm not the only one NewAccount270219! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences with me x

I would look at other options. The main road is a big negative in my opinion and if there are other decent nursery places then they would be preferable. For DC2 I would prefer a different setting certainly

Ask the nursery what there thought ware on the subject. If the risk to the children's health is measurable then they should have assesed how to limit it. You could of course withdraw your consent for your children to be taken off the nursery premises.

I don’t think you are being ridiculous at all. But it is a mistake to assume there’s a pollution problem with no proper evidence. These things can’t be guessed at just because the location suggests there might be an issue. It’s possible you could switch to a nursery that looks like it’s in a cleaner spot but actually is more polluted.

The only way to be sure is to speak with your local environmental health officer, or the Environment Agency about your concerns. It’s quite possible, though not certain, this has already been checked before planning permission was given to set up the nursery.

If they do find a problem, then they may approach it in different ways. That might mean traffic management or requiring the nursery to take action of some sort.

Keeping children indoors isn’t the answer. For one thing, the childcare regulations require daily outdoor activity. But keeping children indoors doesn’t keep fumes and particulates outside in any case.

I’m guessing you set an example by walking the children to nursery.

But it is a mistake to assume there’s a pollution problem with no proper evidence. These things can’t be guessed at just because the location suggests there might be an issue.

This is a really good point. I would have assumed that where we lived was average for an urban environment - it doesn't feel that bad and the roads aren't noticeably worse than others around us - until the council identified it as the worst area in our city, which itself is pretty bad by national standards