Would you let a 4 year old play unsupervised in the garden with water table?

[wishIwasonholiday10]

My husband and I had a disagreement about this. Would you let an almost 4 year old play unsupervised in the garden with a water table and mud kitchen? The garden is fully fenced with no access to the street.

We both agree no unsupervised play with a paddling pool but disagree on the water table.

Surely this is less risky than washing your hands in a basin of water with the plug in? No slipping hazards if its on grass, no hard surface to hit your head and the table will over turn if the child falls on it? Im fairly risk averse when it comes to water and believe most parents are too laid back but this takes it a bit far for an average 4 year old.

The fox thing is mad! Seriously mad. Foxes would bolt at the sight of a lively child splashing around in a water table. Why on earth would they attack it? (I’m agreeing with you by the way but I couldn’t find the original quote saying a fox might randomly enter the garden to attack)

Oh yeah, and if anyone remembers that family with the twins who were ‘attacked’ by a fox that snuck in through and open patio door and slunk upstairs undetected, straight into their bedroom…. That family had a Jack Russel dog. The fox was an incredibly convenient scapegoat in my opinion to avoid that dog being put to sleep.

Foxes get such bad press.

A nearly 4 year old is not a toddler.

you can call a 4 year old whatever you want - but they still require continuous supervision 🤡

Genuinely, what do you think happens in schools? They are not supervised at all times. For example, 2 four year olds might be sent to take a piece of paper to the office down a corridor or two. That is totally unremarkable. In the classroom and on the playground, they are not being continually watched.

Yeah, they really don't. I mean, maybe yours do but that's not typical.

Even toddlers don't need 24/7 supervision...

I toddlerproofed everything I could when mine were little so that I could leave them in the lounge with the door open whilst I cooked in the kitchen/went to the toilet.

How does anybody get anything done if you have to sit and watch a toddler constantly?

They really don't. They need a safe environment and an adult close by. But they also need freedom and independence in order to learn and grow.

Thanks all for the responses! Lots of different opinions on how much supervision a 4 year old needs in the garden so it’s interesting to see different perspectives. She is my first so still trying to work out the balance between safety and letting her have more freedom.

I can see the garden from the kitchen but not clearly from the living room as the back door is not directly from the living room. If I was feeding or settling the baby inside I wouldn’t be able to see DD1 clearly. Last summer I sat in the garden with her but would pop inside to get things.

This thread is nuts. No wonder school readiness is a problem.

I read a article recently from a high-school teacher who still gets asked to tie their shoes for them because their parents never taught them how 🙁

Four year olds are not toddlers. If this child is almost four, they will be starting school in September (and will likely be playing outside with water not constantly supervised by the teacher / TA who may be busy with other children).

Yes especially if I could see out of window

They really don't.

I'm glad to see your attitude in a minority on this thread. But you need to cut those apron strings and let your 4yo free!

🦊 💕

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& noisier!! 🤣

Yes definitely. My daughter is 4.5 and has been playing in our garden alone for about a year now. We have water table, sand pit, various scooters etc. she ends up sweeping the leaves up too 😂
I can see from the kitchen windows and regularly call out to her and ask if she’s okay.

Without a single doubt - same as would you let a 4 year old play inside whilst you hung out washing, did some jobs or had a cup of tea in the garden. My kids were in the garden all day at 4 and i’d go inside for short periods leaving them to play (checked on regularly). The only time I had my eyes on them all the time would be a paddling pool day. If I nipped in the kitchen to make lunch, i’d be watching through the window.

There will be water tables at nursery and it will not be possible for staff to have their eyes on every child 100% of the time.

It always makes me wonder if parents realise their kids wont be watched all the time at nursery/school/holiday club. Our school has an enclosed outdoor play area (just outside the classroom) the kids can go to when its time to play and with one reception teacher and one TA, there’s going to be lots of 4 year olds not being watched at any point. A little bit older and they’re off in the main playground and school field at break.

I pity the poor 4 year olds never allowed to play alone in a secure garden with a parent helicoptering over them.

your reply is terrifying I've worked in nurseries for over 20 years and water trays are dangerous. A staff member bent down to tie a shoelace and within that second a child had tried to climb in bumped there head and was under the water. Any body of water is a risk and needs supervised

No I wouldn't. I'm surprised by these replies. I would only pop inside to use the toilet really quickly that is it. Even a couple of inches of water can be a drowning hazard at that age.

Absolutely not. The child is 3 and needs watching. People are ignorant to what could happen in gardens. The child could pick anything like a berry that’s poisonous and snack on it. Could fall over on wet / slippy ground. Imagine going for an x ray and saying oh I’ve got no idea why my 3yo’s arm is hurting/broken as I left him/her in the garden alone.

I am 100% in agreement but you would be surprised at how many parents genuinely are surprised that their little treasure doesn’t have eyes on him/her at all times if the day!

Absolutely fine! Wouldn't even occur to me its a problem. Although my kids were probably far too attached too me to play alone (annoyingly)

Yes I would, but I wpuld be playing with her so it'd only be for a few mins each time anyway. Can't see how it's dangerous.