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Original poster

Reception children being taught how to use sparklers safely. WITH REAL SPARKELERS

187 replies

FrameyMcFrame · 20/10/2013 19:52

Apparently they're going to be practising name writing and letter formation with sparklers!?!?
Isn't that just asking for trouble?
A permission slip has come home, I really don't want my 4 year old using a sparkler. So I won't be giving permission, but am I being unreasonable to think that it's an insane idea?

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Goldmandra · 22/10/2013 11:08

This thread is getting to goady.

I'm off before the serious trolling starts.

OP, I hope you do give your DC's school a chance to explain how they will keep the children safe before you judge them.

working9while5 · 22/10/2013 11:10

I don't mind the idea for my own ds but I think it's not the best idea ever in reception because it would be v understandable for any parent to say no based on official guidance but doing it in this way means saying no is possibly going to upset the child.

In most cases with consent that's reasonable but here, where advice is pretty consistent... why? Why not have it as a Year 1 lesson?

NiceTabard · 22/10/2013 11:12

Most children who have just turned 5 will have been "using" sparklers for "years"???

Honestly those of you out there who are giving sparklers to toddlers / pre-schoolers and letting them go off with them, that is a really bad idea.

Even when I was growing up people didn't do that.

Gileswithachainsaw · 22/10/2013 11:16

Who said anything about letting them go off with them.

I explained simple instructions. They followed the simple instrictions. And I was right there.

working9while5 · 22/10/2013 11:17

Parents shouldn't feel following official guidance wrt something actually dangerous is being wimpy wet.

I wouldn't worry too much because my ds is a bit of a scaredy cat and would probably not hold it himself but I've worked in many reception classes where it would be a logistical nightmare with kiddos with SN and attention difficulties etc.

It's okay but neither the OP's death trap nor to be lauded as bravery on the part of the school. A bit of a gimmick I think. Also the risk assessment will have been insane and time might have been spent on better things.

CecilyP · 22/10/2013 11:17

Yes and no; when I was a child, we used to light our own fireworks on bonfire night and we did read the instructions. I think kids showing off to their mates would be looking for something more impressive than sparklers.

I suppose it is possible that an 11 year-old might encounter a sparkler for the first time, but not very likely. They don't have to have them at 4 (there are many years between where supervised use is possible) to know how to use them.

Even if the school's emphasis was on safety (and from what I have read, I dont believe it is) would the children remember everything in a year's time if they were unsupervised anddid come across a packet of sparklers and a lighter?

CecilyP · 22/10/2013 11:22

But you don't suddenly wake up at 4+364 days and not be able to use one yet suddenly miraculously are fine the next day and all is good.

No you don't, and it is a guideline rather than the law where parents can use their own discretion with regard to the maturity of their children and the level of supervision you are able to provide. However, this is an entire class of children, with different levels of maturity, where only 1 in 6 will be over 5 and the youngest will be 4 years and 2 months.

Gileswithachainsaw · 22/10/2013 11:25

Which has no bearing on their abilities to handle it.

Hence the consent form. No ones being forces to do anything.

Gileswithachainsaw · 22/10/2013 11:26

And there's nothing to say waiting a year would make a difference. Except reduce the amount of supervision the teachers assume they need.

working9while5 · 22/10/2013 11:28

And why can't things like this be left to parents and families any more? It is a traditional family activity. If there's going to be some argument about how some parents won't give their children this experience well wait for Year 1.

As it is the decision to go against guidance should be at parental discretion and shouldn't make parents who reasonably want to opt out feel they're going to have to face a very grumpy little child gutted to have missed out.

It's just not necessary or the school's place to push it I think.

NiceTabard · 22/10/2013 11:28

I would hope that most children would mature a bit between age 4 and age 5!

Original poster
FrameyMcFrame · 22/10/2013 17:45

Just wrote a long post but it's disappeared. Confused
Just trying to say I suppose I'm paranoid, DS burnt his face on a pan 6 months ago. I was standing right by the pan and it all happened so quickly there was nothing I could do.
Anyway thanks for the supportive posts,glad there's some people out there who agree and I'm trying to keep an open mind now and I have asked for more info from school!
I don't want to be a judging pants or a wimpy mum in all seriousness.

OP posts:
Schmedz · 22/10/2013 23:35

Any activity the school offers will be subject to an intense and vigorous risk assessment and will have to comply with strict health and safety guidelines.
What a fun and interesting way of engaging the children...lucky kids to be at a school willing to go through all the paperwork to offer such a cool activity!

SatinSandals · 23/10/2013 07:21

I agree, you would not believe the paperwork necessary for the risk assessment! They are not going to do what the parent would do and just give them a sparkler!

CecilyP · 23/10/2013 07:21

Any activity the school offers will be subject to an intense and vigorous risk assessment and will have to comply with strict health and safety guidelines.

Whilst, at the same time, completely ignoring official guidelines? I will be interested in what more OP can find out from the school.

Original poster
FrameyMcFrame · 23/10/2013 16:14

Well they got back to me after I asked about the under 5s thing and voiced my concerns about supervision. They said that they've looked into it and phoned the fire service and....

Now the fire service are coming in to help and there will be 2 firemen plus a teacher!!!!
The children will be in pairs doing the activity.
I think she was a little fed up as she said they've done it every year for the last 3 years without any problems.
Anyway, I think it will be ok as they're bringing in the firemen...!

OP posts:
ExcuseTypos · 23/10/2013 16:21

So the teacher is doing this with 2 children at a time, or do you mean the children are in pairs and doing it all together?

Original poster
FrameyMcFrame · 23/10/2013 16:29

She meant 2 children at a time.

OP posts:
ExcuseTypos · 23/10/2013 16:36

Oh good. Smile

Hope they have fun.

Also wanted to say I think it's very understandable that you felt anxious about this, as your DS was burnt as a baby. This might be a great way for him to safety learn about sparklers- without you having to watchSmile

HorryIsUpduffed · 23/10/2013 16:47

I'd definitely volunteer to help if I thought there would be hunky firemen around.

Actually that makes me happier about the whole activity because it shows they're focusing on the fire safety aspect rather than the "let's draw letters" bit which as a pp said could just as easily be done in a sandpit.

SatinSandals · 23/10/2013 19:01

With 2 children, 2 firemen and a teacher, and pages and pages of risk assessment, I don't see how any parent could now complain!

Ragusa · 23/10/2013 21:40

Good grief. Let her do it .

In Scandinavian countries they have outdoor nurseries where children practice using real wood saws from around three years of age.

It's elf and safety goooorn maad in this country.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 23/10/2013 21:44

YABU I think.

Being allowed to hold a sparkler was one of the joys of childhood. The school is showing a bit of independent thought which I like the idea of. The last you want is 30 robots per classroom turfed out at the end of the day.

soxysarah · 05/11/2013 16:44

really angry found out from my 4 yr old that she had a sparkler at school today no premistion slip, was not told this would happen no nothing i feel she is under age and it to dangerous for her to have one, there are only 3 teachers in the play ground so i asume at there was two teacher watching the kids but yet three kid with fire works this is so wrong i will be complaining if i can work out how i bypass the head

Original poster
FrameyMcFrame · 05/11/2013 17:48

Well DS did the fireworks activity and there was no problems!!!

OP posts: