2 Weeks To Go - I'm Having Big Doubts About Sons School - What would you do?
By ellie333
@ellie333 (21016)
August 19, 2008 3:36pm CST
My son has been going to nursery as is about to start school only the school buildings on the lower site are being demolished so they are putting them into an area in the upper school, thats fine, however on my first visit I noticed in the middle of their outdoor play area is a block of concrete with sharp paving slabs on top sticking out at approximately head height of these little ones. I am not a milly coddling over protective parent but the danger for kids of that age was immediate. I mentioned this to his teacher and she reassured me that this will be demolished before they start and gates and fencing also made secure as other parents had mentioned this. I drove past earlier and all play equipment and everyting is in place and this is still there. I spole to my neighbour who also had a son starting there and said that on day one if it is still there I am going to refuse to send him. They said they would do the same too especially as we had been promised this would be done once the school closed, four weeks ago now. I am hoping they will remove before they start as my son is looking forward to starting. I know kids fall over and get hurt etc, thats life but to have something this sharp and dangerous in the centre of their play area for 3-5 year olds I think is wrong. Would you make a stand or do you think I am a paranoid parent? Thought please.
Ellie :D
7 people like this
39 responses
@cupid74 (11388)
• Pakistan
20 Aug 08
Hi dear
well u r doing right think
falling during play is some thing differnt, but tjhat dangerous stuff in play ground dont make sense. and sure no one will sen kid to dangerous area after seeing it.
it must be removed and i must say written letter must be sent to School administration if it was stil their
Take care
3 people like this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
20 Aug 08
I don't think you are paranoid. I'm not a molly coddling kind of parent either and I believe my child should be independent as soon as possible. I also think that some things my children should get used to at the earliest....instead of babying them as long as I can. But a sharp thing in the middle of the playground isn't one of them. And it's going to be more of a danger in case of falls (which are always expected to happen at a child's playground). As a parent I will take the same stand as you and refuse to send my child if it is still there on the first day of school.
2 people like this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Aug 08
Hi Thanks SViswan for the confirmation that my thoughts on this are correct. The teaching staff usually arrive back a few days before the children start back so I will be contacting and letting them know of the action I and other parents will take if this isn't demolished as promised before the start of term. Like you you have to let kids be kids but this is a danger and should be removed to prevent a nasty accident. Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Aug 08
It may be that the contractors are running behind but when I passed by yesterday all the play equipment is there but this concrete still there so I will phone in advance and go from there as I know my sons nursery teacher is aware and wanting it removed before they move to this new site herself. Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
•
20 Aug 08
I definitely do not think you are being paranoid ellie and I would do the same as you if it were still in the same state when he is due to start. These things usually take longer to arrange than to actually be done so hopefully it will be long gone by the time he starts and if it isn't not only would I refuse to send him I would complain to the Council, Education dept and to Health Safety office, I would probably also contact the local press as it would definitely pose a threat to the little ones who have a right to go to school wothout being put in a dangerous situation! xxx
2 people like this
@mummymo (23706)
•
20 Aug 08
I definitely believe in prevention BEFORE it goes wrong where possible Ellie and I do hope that you don't have to fight to get this problem fixed but if you do I wish you all the luck in getting it sorted quickly. I love to hear of people being proactive rather than just standing around complaining - way to go sweety and thanks for the Huggles! xxx
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I understand your concerns. I have raised 4 children and I will say that my experience has been that most schools and teachers have the best interest of the child including safety. I would trust that if the play area is not safe by the time that school starts, the teachers would use alternative play areas until the work is done. I understand your concerns but I do think that you should relax and trust that they will care for the safety of the children. I don't think you should hold your son back for this reason. They can anticipate projects being done by a certain date but weather is always a factor and can hold up progress. This year we have had much rain that has delayed many construction projects. I understand your concerns but yes...I do think you are over-worrying.
2 people like this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Well, I hope it is done. It does not sound as if it is a place that children should be playing and if that is the case then you should voice your opinion and to anyone that matters and as loudly as possible. I would hope they would not consider the children playing in such an unsafe area but if they do...you should also gather other parents to speak out.
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Aug 08
Hi Sid, Yes I have older children too and have been through the school system and the teachers do look out for the children, I think because the old classes on the lower site are to be demolished perhaps it is scheduled to be done at the same time as that but meanwhile this is their play area. They do go back a few days after the teachers so if it is still there then I will be voicing my concerns before they go back. Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@BYOLA2871 (4371)
• South Africa
20 Aug 08
if this is something you have observed and reported and something have not been done about it i suggest you should start looking elsewhere foer a good school around you where you can enrol your kid,i will never compromise my child"s welfare and security,in fact that will be tantamount to negligience in case anything happens
2 people like this
@BYOLA2871 (4371)
• South Africa
20 Aug 08
well since they have about 2 weeks to go i guess they can still do something abut it but if they dont do anything dont hesitate to find an alternative
2 people like this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Aug 08
Hi Byola, There are still two weeks before the start of term for it to be removed and it is because the little ones have to be moved to the upper site due to their old classrooms being demolished. I am sure it will be sorted but I will contact the school as soon as the staff are back which is usually before the children return to ensure this does get demolished by then, if not yes I will be looking to other schools but my son has friends here so it is a last resort. Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@littleowl (7157)
•
20 Aug 08
hi Ellie that is bad to have something like that still around..I definitley wouldn't send my child to school if it is still like that...maybe you ought to tell the teacher that now and maybe something will be done about it sooner especially if other parents are in agreement with you..Huggles littleowl
2 people like this
@littleowl (7157)
•
20 Aug 08
Hi Ellie..is there no way you could speak to someone about this..its not going to be fair on a lot of children and parents if it is still there when they go to school..is the council responsible for it..or maybe they should be approached about it? Huggles littleowl
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I would call and bring it to their attention. Usually things get done if a parent lets them know that it has caught their attention.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
20 Aug 08
You are not being paranoid. You are being a concerned parent. I would speak to the other parents and all of you go together and demand that they remove this dangerous obstruction. You are looking out for the safety of your son. It would be better to teach your son at home then have to visit him in the hospital or worse if this block of concrete is still there. I would make a stand. These are little children, not teenagers and the school was being irresponsible in not removing this danger before now.
2 people like this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
21 Aug 08
Hi Suspenseful, Thank you for the confirmation that I am correct in taking this action. I would rather make a stand before a child gets hurt than to regret not having done so when one does get hurt. There are still a couple of weeks for them to remove it before the start of the term but play eqipment all in place now so it makes me wonder if they have overlooked it. I will be contacting the school the minute it reopens. Ellie :D
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
20 Aug 08
Hi ellie,
I will not be comfortable with that also, and for sure I can't stop worrying..I guess parents should work hand in hand so the administration will start working on that area right now..Not tomorrow or whatever! We know kids will never think about being extra careful, when they play, they play! I hope I will hear you again saying it is fine now!
2 people like this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Aug 08
Hi Checapricorn as soon as there are staff members back at the school, which will be before the children return I will be onto them to make sure this removed before they start back, if not I will not be sending him along with some other children until this safety issue is sorted. Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
20 Aug 08
If it is a licensed facility, I believe they have to be regularly inspected to make sure that it is a safe environment.
2 people like this
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I would also be very concerned - you are not being paranoid. Since you have already spoken to the teacher, I would now go a step above to the owner or administrator of the school with your concerns - possibly have other parents who are also concerned go with you to meet with that person.
I would probably let the children start to school but make it known that they are not to play in that area. If you are unable to get a satisfactory resolution, I would definitely seek out another school.
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Aug 08
Hi Newtondak, The school is closed at present and this work was supposed to have been done before they go back but as yet hasn't been. As soon as there are staff there which is usually before the children start back I will be up there getting it all sorted. I ahve another parent who is totally with me but I do know before we broke up that a few had mentioned their concerns also. I am sure something will be done but they are leaving it late in the day as all the play equipment is now in there and this is still there. If it isn't gone though I will be taking action so as to prevent any child from getting hurt. Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
19 Aug 08
Well it is obviously something that you and other parents are not happy about and so I would say that you are right to do something about it if you are worried about your sons safety.
I definately would if I thought that any of my childrens safety was going to be compromised. If the work has been scheduled to be done then it should be done before the children go back to school, unless they are going to leave it all until the last minute.
2 people like this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
19 Aug 08
Hi Gemini_rose I am really hoping this work is going be carried out and the teacher wasn't just trying to pacify me at the time, but I will make a stand if I have to BEFORE a child is hurt and not AFTER the event which happens a lot of the time.
Have you not been posting lately? I double checked today to see that your notifications were on as I haven't seen any discussions from you for a while.
Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
19 Aug 08
Yes well I do not blame you, but hopefully you will not have to make a stand. That is really sweet that you noticed that I had not done any discussions, I have decided to take a break from that side for a while. I find it a bit too much to keep up with when I do trying to respond to everyone. I have also been spending a bit less time on here so I thought that it would be easier to just do some responding for a while instead.
1 person likes this
@mlh8087 (368)
• United States
20 Aug 08
By God, make a stand. Don't let your kid go to that nursery. Go to the owners, go to the city, go to the state. Do whatever you have to. Anyone who is not listening to your concerns is neglectful of the safety of your child and any other child that is attending this nursery school. Do what you have to for your child and everyone else's child.
@ellie333 (21016)
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20 Aug 08
Hi Mlh8087, Thank you, oh I will as I would rather take action BEFORE and prevent an accident to someones child that to regret not having made a stand when one does happen. The minute the staff are back at the school which is before children go back I will be on to them to make sure it is removed if it hasn't been. Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@mands61123 (2098)
•
19 Aug 08
your job as a mother is to protect your child hun so yes i think you should definately mention it. Is it not possible for them to fence it off so they can still go to school just not play near it. It's not brain surgery what a stupid thing they should have had it removed as a first point of call. If theres 2 weeks left they may be waiting for contractors or machinery though just ask and express your concerns again you have every right to.
@ellie333 (21016)
•
19 Aug 08
Hi Mands, When I originally mentioned it as it is sharp paving slabs topping it I suggested if not pulled down they put old tires around it to hide the edges but the teacher assured me that it would be demolished. There is still time yet but I will try to contact them when someone is there before they start but if not he won't be going full stop until something is done. I am all for prevention and this is an accident waiting to happen. Huggles. Ellie :D
2 people like this
@mands61123 (2098)
•
19 Aug 08
with all the health and safety regs there are these days i can't see them risking it they are likely to get reported or even sued god forbid something happen. I reckon they probably have it schedualed in but just ask the question you're pretty intuitive you'll know from their answer whether they are sorting it or fobbing you off
2 people like this
@pumpkinjam (8542)
• United Kingdom
20 Aug 08
I think the school is obliged to remove the danger before the kids go back. If I were you, I would check that it's gone a couple of days before and, if it's not, I think you are right not to send your son. If the school can't get something that dangerous removed, that would make me wonder how they would be in everyday situations and whether children would be safe there at all.
Hopefully, they will have removed the concrete before your son goes to school but if they haven't, I think you should get some other people together and maybe report it to your local press explaining why the kids weren't sent.
2 people like this
@joyceshookery (2057)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I don't think you're a paranoid parent at all, Ellie! You're just doing your best to ensure your son's safety as well as the safety of the other children. I commend you for taking a stand on the matter.
2 people like this
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
20 Aug 08
If they don't move it don't send him.
Its all well and good to talk but when your son is hurt its a different story.
Don't send him to the school if there is a danger there.
End of story.
2 people like this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Aug 08
Hi Bluepatch, Not just my son but any child so I will be making sure it is removed before they start back, the teachers go back a few days before so I will be up there then as I would rather take action BEFORE rather than regret I hadn't AFTER an accident happens eh! Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
Hi there Ellie. As a mother I think it is your right to see to your child's safety, so don't hesitate to badger the school about the playground safety issues. I'd keep calling them until they take it down. But I wouldn't really go as far as not sending my kid to school. Maybe I'll the teacher to keep him out of the playground until the concrete is removed while simultaneously reminding the administration to see to the problem. After all, everything else in the school is safe anyway. And education is very important for me.
2 people like this
@trishasantos (1297)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
I think I will make a stand if I were on your shoes. Kids are kids and are prone to accidents. It is better to act on it now than letting it and regret everything after. If it is still around when school starts, tell all parents you will meet about this. They will be concern too and will make the teachers act on it faster.
@seasons1981 (299)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I dont think your being paranoid at all, I wouldnt want my child to be in an area that you can see harm right away. I would make a stand and make sure that the other parents there know what is going on - start a petition or something.
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Aug 08
Hi Seasons, I already have my neighbour backing me on this as their son is also due to go into this section but I am still hopeful that it will be demolished before they start but if not I will take action to make sure it is. I think someone will be in the office before the school reopens so will be going there first. Ellie :D
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