XP: Does your LO go to the park with DCP?

MrsWindyCity · July 2012

DS just started a new daycare today. They ask for a signed waiver to go to the park every day, which DH signed when he did drop off this morning. The kids go to the park holding onto a rope, and the park is about 2 blocks from the center.

I hadn't really thought about it, but now H is making me wonder if this is a good idea. He's worried about the fact that DS might be climbing up high with no one watching him, wandering off, or just in general worried about the amount of kids vs. the amount of teachers and how they make sure each kid doesn't wander off, etc. So, now he has me worried. Our last center took the kids to the park, but it was really more for walks in wagons, and the kids didn't really get out.

So, is this the norm? Should I be worried?

ETA: It's a city park (Chicago) in a busy neighborhood so I'd imagine there would be a decent amount of kids there at 12ish. The ratio is about 8:1 (2-4 year olds).

dizzycooks · July 2012

Most places are required to provide a certain amount of outside time. Depending on how the center is set up this is achieved in different ways. My DCP has a yard with lots of toys and stuff, but they still go for walks to other parks. As far as supervising them goes, that is their job. They could easily go too high, too far, too whatever even in the DCPs own yard.

niknak7 · July 2012

I love that DD's daycare goes to the park, berry picking, museums, etc. I think it's great that kids aren't stuck in the same room all day. I trust them with her and we've never had a problem. They have strict rules when they are out. And the ratio is usually 2-3 adults to 10-12 kids with most being toddlers.

MNgirl326 · July 2012

No they don't go to the park because they already have 2 play structures on their property outside and one inside in a large muscle room. So they don't have a need to go to the park.

However, if they didn't, I really wouldn't be that worried. I trust that they DCP's are going to to their job and don't take the time to worry about all the "what if's" that could happen during the day.

LO is pretty clutzy in general and there are many days he comes home with some sort of accident report because he tripped, fell, bumped into something, etc. Its just who he is. I have taking him to the park and taught him what he is allowed to climb on and what he is not. Which is what I would think daycare would do too.

So, personally I wouldn't worry about it.

Kie310 · July 2012

Each level of students has their own play ground right on campus at DC. So, no he doesn't leave the school to go to the park.

The older kids do go accross the parking lot to the swim club 2-3 days a week to swim in the summer & the older kids also do 2-3 field trips a summer. I don't have to worry about those things yet, but they happen.

Fianschneid · July 2012

I'm in Chicago, too, and our DCP also does this. At first, it made me really nervous. Of course, the infant room goes on walks in strollers, not on the rope, but still, my baby is out of my hands in the wild.

It turns out, she loves it. It is her favorite part of every day. So while it makes me nervous when I sit down and think about it, this was one of those things I just had to let go of. I trust the people I selected to care for my child.

charlies-angel · July 2012

DD's daycare has a playground on site, but I worked at a daycare in NYC and we did that all the time. It seems scary, but it worked great and we never had a problem. I would be ok with it as long as they have enough staff to monitor the kids. We usually had at least 3 staff when we walked...one at the front, one is the middle, and one sorts hanging out in the middle of the rope. Less I suppose if there are fewer kids.

MrsWindyCity · July 2012

Fianschneid:
I'm in Chicago, too, and our DCP also does this. At first, it made me really nervous. Of course, the infant room goes on walks in strollers, not on the rope, but still, my baby is out of my hands in the wild.
It turns out, she loves it. It is her favorite part of every day. So while it makes me nervous when I sit down and think about it, this was one of those things I just had to let go of. I trust the people I selected to care for my child.

Where in the city do you live, if you don't mind my asking?

mainerocks:
I'm no helicopter parent but this would make me nervous because it's a big city park that is likely busy. I have a hard time keeping an eye on my LO alone when the playground is busy... I can't imagine having a few to watch.
What kind of park? It is wide open where they could easily keep them all together and see everyone all the time? Or is it a playground type park with lots of nooks and crannies to lose sight of a kid?

The park is not huge (at least, the one they went to yesterday. I think there is another they visit and I need to ask which one that may be). It's basically a large square (so I guess no real nooks and crannies) with a few pieces of equipment.

I'm really glad to see DS going outside and actually playing (vs. going outside and just sitting in a wagon, or going on a walk holding a teacher's hand), but I admit it does make me a bit nervous. It's a great neighborhood and I'm sure the teachers know what they're doing, but it's just sort of out of my element, I guess. It's his first day, so I don't necessarily have that much comfort level with his teachers yet.

brewcitybride · July 2012

It's pretty common, my daycare does it, too. But, they also have playground equipment outside on the daycare grounds, so my DD could just as easily get hurt there as at a city park. And she has before (minor injuries like scrapes and bruises). Maybe I'm not as paranoid as some, but I don't think it's something to worry about - I trust my daycare providers, and I also like that DD is learning how to play on this equipment and learning the rules of the parks in a supervised environment.

Fianschneid · July 2012

MrsWindyCity:
Fianschneid:

I'm in Chicago, too, and our DCP also does this. At first, it made me really nervous. Of course, the infant room goes on walks in strollers, not on the rope, but still, my baby is out of my hands in the wild.

It turns out, she loves it. It is her favorite part of every day. So while it makes me nervous when I sit down and think about it, this was one of those things I just had to let go of. I trust the people I selected to care for my child.

Where in the city do you live, if you don't mind my asking?

mainerocks:

I'm no helicopter parent but this would make me nervous because it's a big city park that is likely busy. I have a hard time keeping an eye on my LO alone when the playground is busy... I can't imagine having a few to watch.

What kind of park? It is wide open where they could easily keep them all together and see everyone all the time? Or is it a playground type park with lots of nooks and crannies to lose sight of a kid?

The park is not huge (at least, the one they went to yesterday. I think there is another they visit and I need to ask which one that may be). It's basically a large square (so I guess no real nooks and crannies) with a few pieces of equipment.

I'm really glad to see DS going outside and actually playing (vs. going outside and just sitting in a wagon, or going on a walk holding a teacher's hand), but I admit it does make me a bit nervous. It's a great neighborhood and I'm sure the teachers know what they're doing, but it's just sort of out of my element, I guess. It's his first day, so I don't necessarily have that much comfort level with his teachers yet.

I'm in the Lincoln Square area. You?

MrsWindyCity · July 2012

I'm in Lincoln Square too!

Fianschneid · July 2012

MrsWindyCity:
I'm in Lincoln Square too!

Love it! Such a great area for little ones.

MrsWindyCity · July 2012

I'm going to send you a PM.

Fianschneid · July 2012

MrsWindyCity:
I'm going to send you a PM.

Just replied.

juliedooley · July 2012

I'm kind of jumping in late, but I'm looking at DCs in Lincoln Square too and one of the places I really liked did this. They moved down to 2nd place on my list b/c of that b/c it makes me nervous thinking about DS getting it in his head to let go of the rope and jump into the street or something crazy. I realize peer pressure is a powerful thing and tons of DCPs do this every day with no problem but I'm neurotic I guess. My current 1st choice (going to call them this afternoon) has a fenced play area in the back of their building and I am much more comfortable with that.

Although, now I'm curious to know if you're looking/looked at the same places we are! Smile

MrsWindyCity · July 2012

juliedooley:
I'm kind of jumping in late, but I'm looking at DCs in Lincoln Square too and one of the places I really liked did this. They moved down to 2nd place on my list b/c of that b/c it makes me nervous thinking about DS getting it in his head to let go of the rope and jump into the street or something crazy. I realize peer pressure is a powerful thing and tons of DCPs do this every day with no problem but I'm neurotic I guess. My current 1st choice (going to call them this afternoon) has a fenced play area in the back of their building and I am much more comfortable with that.
Although, now I'm curious to know if you're looking/looked at the same places we are!

Probably. I'll send you a PM.

juliedooley · July 2012

Just replied

I'm only on TB like once a week now but too funny to find other locals after all this time!

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