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Original poster

Is it ok to leave four yr old in the playground in the morning?

63 replies

twynkle · 17/05/2007 16:55

I have to be at work some days by nine, kids don't go into school into five to. Is it OK to leave dd to fend for herself in the playground for five mins so I can get to work on time? I felt really bad doing it this morning because all the other reception class mums seem to stay till the bell goes and help them hang their coats.

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Roobie · 17/05/2007 17:10

Blimey - we leave our 5 yo dd (reception year) in the playground 5 minutes before the whistle all the time. Dh needs the extra few of minutes to leg it to the station and get his train.

Original poster
twynkle · 17/05/2007 17:10

DD is fine about it - she is quite mature, nearly 5. Obviously I wouldn't leave her if she was upset about it.

Good idea to ask another mum though - I just always feel so inadequate in playgronds. Stems I think from having my first dd when I was only 17 - and had a VERY young face to boot - and all the mums were a lot older and didn't really speak to me.

D'oh! Just feeling sorry for myself now!

OP posts:
nailopish · 17/05/2007 17:11

honestly twynk, if another mother asked me to watch her dd for 5 mins id bemore than happy

ask dd to point out her mates mummys and ask them

Original poster
twynkle · 17/05/2007 17:11

No breakfast OR after school clubs

OP posts:
Aloha · 17/05/2007 17:11

Just ask! I would be really happy to. And you could even make a friend.

pointydog · 17/05/2007 17:11

Five mins, nearly 5, fine

OrmIrian · 17/05/2007 17:12

I think it depends on the child as well. My DD would have taken it in her stride. DS#1 would have howled the place down.

Twiglett · 17/05/2007 17:16

it is SIMPLY not fine

any child may suddenly want their mummy .. so what if a child walks out the gate looking for her mummy, would other parents realise the mummy was not just the other side .. maybe she'll walk home (or try to) I've heard of nursery kids doing that .. busy roads doesn't bear thinking about

tombley · 17/05/2007 17:16

"No breakfast OR after school clubs"
That's a poor show Twynkle.

In Wales all schools have to provide a breakfast club and the Welsh Assembly Government pay for it. I think it's a form of compensation for the appalling public transport system and the lack of glamorous shops.

Ladymuck · 17/05/2007 17:18

I'd have a quick word with the class teacher - he/she may be aware of one or two of the mothers who would be more than happy to do keep an eye on her (without them sitting in judgement on you as a wohm!)

oxocube · 17/05/2007 17:18

my ds is 5 and a half and I do sometimes leave him in the playground with his friends. There are always loads of other mums and dads there and he is quite happy. Even if I stay, he doesn't notice me or run up to say goodbye

pointydog · 17/05/2007 17:19

o twiggers

Original poster
twynkle · 17/05/2007 17:25

Food for thought indeed...

Have to leave work now. DD has been sat in the playground for 2 hours already afterall.

Not really!!

OP posts:
juuule · 17/05/2007 17:27

Not okay. Could wander out of school, decide to go home. No-one would be likely to stop her as they would think there was an adult looking out for her. I would be worrying all day about whether she actually got into school.

Katymac · 17/05/2007 17:30

Twynkle

At a school I drop off at parents are not allowed in the playground. Under any circumstances so that's that.

Just thought you needed a bit of support

DeviousDaffodil · 17/05/2007 17:31

Tombley I am in Wales and we don't have a breakfast club at our school. I wish we did.
Like Twynkle I am always clockwatching and running like the wind after drop offs.

motherinferior · 17/05/2007 17:39

Do ask. At DD1's school we're always taking each others' kids in first thing. Nobody minds, honestly - at least if they do nobody's told me yet.

princessmel · 17/05/2007 17:42

I agree with those who've said ask another mum.
I've done that for others and asked someone to do it for my ds.
Also agree that the teacher wont want her in classroom before school starts. I once had to leave ds with the nursery staff as I had to get dd to the docs (she was admitted to hosp by the doctor, it was quite serious)and they were very reluctant to take him even though they knew the situation. I couldn't leave him with a mum as I was the first one there . I'd got there early so I could get to the doctors quick. They did take him though. As a one off.

tombley · 17/05/2007 17:46

DeviousDaffodil
Is your school in the process of setting one up? I remember last year the WAG declared each school had to have a breakfast club and they were paying for it. Our school set one up in 2 weeks. (Tis the offer of money that caused the rush - its a faith school

DeviousDaffodil · 17/05/2007 17:47

No mention of it.
Might make some enquiries, would be fantastic if they did.

tombley · 17/05/2007 17:51

for DeviousDaffodil

DeviousDaffodil · 17/05/2007 17:52

Thanks Tombley!
Where abouts in Gods Country are you?!

tombley · 17/05/2007 17:52

Near Swansea

DeviousDaffodil · 17/05/2007 17:53

I went to uni in Swansea - happy days!
Live in Cwmbran now near Newport.

tombley · 17/05/2007 17:53

Sorry posted too quickly - Where are you DD?