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Original poster

Would you send your child?

66 replies

Tobermorie · 17/06/2021 20:36

To a nursery with lovely indoor facilities, but no outdoor play area because they’re close to the beach where they regularly take the kids to play? I’ve been assured that when they take the kids on the beach there’s a 1:4 staff ratio and they’re well supervised. And they obviously have been checked by Ofsted and have appropriate risk assessments in place. And they’ve done it for years and never had an incident. DH thinks I’m being paranoid, but to me it just seems dangerous taking 2-4 year olds on the beach.

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JeanClaudeVanDammit · 17/06/2021 21:11

I would, but my DC has been at nursery for 2.5 years so I know and trust them and their risk assessments and processes. I might have been less comfortable with it as a new parent to the nursery.

Original poster
Tobermorie · 17/06/2021 21:15

I don’t think a 1:4 ratio is enough in that situation.
This is my concern. I reckon I could personally handle 2 preschool kids at most if we were near deep water. If my DC runs away in a field or on a walk she can be retrieved - on the beach she’s in the water and drowned.

Children need grass, trees, places to climb, explore and be free.
Well there is definitely no grass or trees. I did think that sand isn’t a very diverse environment tbh. Not even sticks or leaves to play with. But the nursery itself is lovely and they can’t be outside all the time because the British weather is crap.

OP posts:
RiaOverTheRainbow · 17/06/2021 21:16

I second the idea to go and watch for an hour or so. That should give you a good idea of the set up and whether you're comfortable with it.

Fwiw I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker.

GettingItOutThere · 17/06/2021 21:36

no way, my anxiety would be through the roof

indoor- outdoor nursery is the way forward (gardens!)

ChocOrange1 · 18/06/2021 06:38

I wouldn't be worried about the beach, 1 to 4 is a high ratio and it sounds like they have been doing it for a while.

However I wouldn't be happy with a nursery with no outdoor play area. Its nice to have a free flow area so they can play in and out when they want, rather than only being able to go outside at the specific time when they go to the beach.

Willwebebuyingnumber11 · 18/06/2021 06:41

No I wouldn’t. My sons love the outdoor space at nursery and use it in all weathers. Wellies is not fun in rain on the sand in the way it is in a playground.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 18/06/2021 06:43

What do they do I bad weather? Are they all inside for days at a time?

PotteringAlong · 18/06/2021 06:52

@Tobermorie you say you could only handle 2 preschool kids at most, but what do you think those of us with more than 2 kids do?! I managed to take all 3 of mine to the beach when I had 3 under 5 and I never lost or drowned one! And I’m not a trained nursery person.

It sounds fab, I would sign mine up in a heartbeat

Fupoffyagrasshole · 18/06/2021 07:02

Nursery I work at we would never take the children anywhere outside without an adult child ratio 1:2 - an adult holding the hand of each child

I think each adult being in charge of 4 little ones is too much

However I love the idea of my child getting to be in the beach most days

Whinge · 18/06/2021 07:12

Whilst it sounds lovely I think it would get boring very quickly. A beach just isn't the same as letting them explore a forest with mud, sticks, trees etc. I also think the ratio is too high, and like others would prefer a nursery which allowed a free flow to the outside area.

Daisy829 · 18/06/2021 07:14

It’s a lovely idea but I agree with pp I would want my child to have free flowing access to outdoors as much as possible in the day. What do they do in the winter months when the weather is terrible? Can they access outdoors then without traipsing to the beach?

PurpleyBlue · 18/06/2021 07:14

No lifeguards would concern me. I'd want to know what training they have had and what they would do if a little one did wander off. I know they have been fine so far but its about what they would do if one had an accident I would want to know about. Not how slim the chances are.

Shelddd · 18/06/2021 07:26

I wouldn't. Drowning is a leading cause of death for young children, it's not some abstract unsubstantiated fear.

FindingMeno · 18/06/2021 07:28

I would. I trust that risk assessments when it comes to that sort of thing are very in depth.

Groovee · 18/06/2021 07:33

I would but as a trained praticitioner, I have friends who do coastal learning and beach kindergarten. There is so much a child can learn at the beach.

It's a shame it's Covid as I'm sure they would have allowed you to observe. I'd ask more questions if you have them.

popgoesperfection · 18/06/2021 07:33

Op if in doubt leave it out. Follow your gut instinct.

Whinge · 18/06/2021 07:34

It's a shame it's Covid as I'm sure they would have allowed you to observe. I'd ask more questions if you have them.

Why would Covid prevent the OP from observing? It's a public beach with other people and dogs.

TheMotherlode · 18/06/2021 07:37

The nursery itself sounds lovely, and great for the kids to have so much time outdoors at the beach. But even though it sounds very safe, I think I would just be too stressed every day thinking about the what ifs, so I probably would look for another option.
Are there other good nurseries in your area?

Motherofmonsters · 18/06/2021 07:42

My son's nursery used to take them to the beach so I wouldn't worry about that however I would like them to have they're own outside space at the nursery itself. My son needed to be outside lots and would get really wound up inside though

stuckinarutatwork · 18/06/2021 08:07

The beach wouldn't bother me. Yes there's a small risk, but that's the same for any situation where you're handing over your child's care to someone else. I bet at least as many (and probably more) children have choked at nursery or been strangled by loose cords / unsuitable toys than have drowned on beach trips.
I'm not sure I'd like the idea of there being no access to outside space when they're not at the beach though. No matter how lovely the indoors facilities are, children need regular access to the outside and fresh air. If my child was attending 9-3 it would bother me less than if they were there all day from 8-5/6 though.

MindyStClaire · 18/06/2021 08:11

My DC go to the beach with nursery so that wouldn't worry me.

But they also go on walks to the marina, the park, the grass hills that they roll down etc. And in the garden they play with bikes and scooters, play ball games etc.

I wouldn't be happy with just the beach.

Bumpsadaisie · 18/06/2021 08:18

I think it sounds great. A childhood running on the beach every day !

GreenCrayon · 18/06/2021 08:54

I agree with the poster who said fit would probably get boring quite quickly. As idyllic as it sounds a beach is no substitute for a proper outdoor space set up with the children as its focus.

I would also want to know what they did on poor weather as many nurseries still have some covered outdoor space to access whereas I'm imagining these children would probably end up stuck indoors all day.

ememem84 · 18/06/2021 09:25

My dc are at a nursery which is near the beach. They have a small garden but regularly take the kids out. Beach, park, walks. I wouldn’t have an issue with it. Being indoors all day I would.

We live on an island so surrounded by the sea.

Both of mine are runners so it’s stressful when I take them to the beach summer or winter. But for some reason they don’t with nursery little buggers

TheLovelinessOfDemons · 18/06/2021 09:28

It sounds fine. DS then 6 has ADHD and used to be a runner. His holiday club took him to Brighton and he was fine.