Son Escaped From Playgroup For The 3Rd Time

[numnum]

My son goes to playgroup at the local hall. For an escaping child I would say its not very childproofed as theres many ways he can get out

He sneaked out a few weeks ago and was found in the kitchen. The next he just snuck out the room when all the parents were going in. I would say its very difficult for them to keep track of all the kids when the parents are going into the room to collect them because of the layout of the building.

Theres a fire exit, kitchen, main hall then doors out to the main road so if he was to sneak past and not be seen he could end up outside

My partner went to pick him up last week and he was in the main hall (playgroup is a room off the main hall with a small room dividing the two) everyone else was in the playgroup room and hadnt noticed he'd left. If he had gone a few minutes later my son could have been anywhere. My partner also just took him and came home and no one would have been aware of this

I'm going to have to speak to them, how would you approach this one?

[MadMen]

Erin, I'm sat here banging my head against the table!!

Lol

[slimseeker]

i have experince of working at a playgroup the fact that your son was able to 'escape' (get out without anyone noticing) not just once but three times is totally unexceptable! they need reporting to ofstead which you can find your local number through your local council. I would definately remove my child from this establishment immediately. If you do not report this and something fatal happens to yours or someone elses child you will never forgive yourself. we as adults speak for these small children if we dont who will protect them. Do it now dont hesistate please.

[erin-x]

Tell me about it! If this had happened on my watch i'd be on the dole by now! Lol!

[MadMen]

Well exactly, and quite rightly! I'm surprised an Ofsted inspection hasn't brought any safety concerns up.

[grasscarp]

If they are not capable and you child has found 3 times that escape is possible then this is probably never going to work. If there's no other playgroup then you may have to wait for nursery school and keep him at home till then. I never trusted anyone with my child's life more than once.

[numnum]

Yes, we're not wanting to create bad feeling as this is the only playgroup for about an hours journey. So we cant just say we'll go elsewhere becasue that wouldn't work

Just an example if they got a stairgate he'd climb over it or there can be that second your back is turned an he's off. We even looked at getting a dog gate as there higher, but that would just take him an extra 2 seconds to get over it.

Like them leaving a knife in the sink. They'd had probably been using that to cut up their snack and just not thought about it being a hazard where I look at everything and know what he's capable of.

Hes 3

[sherrardk]

Is the child who is being assessed because he is so inquisitive? Surely the playgroup know this? If I was in this situation with one of my children I would take it as far as possible. Did you raise the other two escape attempts with them? They are a business with a responsibility to and your son, they're not doing you a favour. Even if your son does not return there you have to take it further, you would feel terrible if one of the other children escaped or something else happened (if they can't keep the children she they are supposed to be, what else are not doing?).

[EDDIE51]

The play groups around here are in buildings/rooms with the door handles at 6ft up so I child can not let him / her self in or out. Each parent is individually let in and out by a play group worker , you cant just arrive and drop the child off. I thought this was a legal requirement.

[MadMen]

" They'd had probably been using that to cut up their snack and just not thought about it being a hazard "

A knife? Not a hazard?

Then they are clearly in the wrong bloody job.

God, I am so annoyed at this thread! Not your fault, numnum, but I just can't believe there are people like this IN CHARGE of children.
You need to raise these concerns with them as soon as possible and make sure they take steps to resolve these major safety issues.... before something awful happens.

[erin-x]

I can't even argue this anymore... It's making my head hurt. I just can't believe that you would put the reputation of a playgroup before your child's safety....

[slimseeker]

even if you feel you need a break from your son for few hours or want him to mix with others surely there are toddler groups in your area or child minders

[boxtops]

numnum's said it's only a small village so possibly nowhere else - but numnum, are you sure that these people are properly licensed to run a playgroup? It sounds a dreadful situation - you have to do something.

[EDDIE51]

Yes check to see that they are licenced , I am sure it is a requirement to have 'child proof' door handles at least. It is easy to do , just put and extra handle 6 ft or so up so both handles are needed to open the door.

[numnum]

My partner is home from work now and we've had a chance to speak about it. I've calmed down a lot since my partner told me and now thinking about how to speak to them calmly. I'm glad we have these few days to think about it

We're both going to go in when the holidays are over and speak to them. It was him that found him in the hall today so it would be best if he could be there to explain and show them where he found him

Theres no childcare unless I drive an hour and 15 minutes and that woudn't fit in with me working and having to pick up the oldest one from nursery.

I do like him to be at the playgroup and around other kids as he's had a lot of behavour problems and I think this is helping him as they only have good things to say about his behaviour.

[boxtops]

That surprises me, numnum, since they don't notice when he's missing.... how can they say that, if he's going missing? Do they have the correct number of adults per child? They should never lose sight of a little one, adventurous or not. It should be part of their risk assessment.

[MadMen]

They're telling you what you want to hear.

They sound like they haven't got a clue!

[sherrardk]

You are being far too calm about this - when it comes to my children's safety I tend to do the worst case scenario (not saying the worst will happen). They are doing a job, you are, in essence, their employer. If they get upset, tough. Can your son not go to the nursery with your other child?

[askyourgran]

I can understand your dilemma numnum, but when you talk to them you'll really have to have their assurance that they will make changes to the safety aspects of the building, and the proper supervision of your son. Those things should have been in place before the playgroup started. Do any of the other parents have any grievance about this playgroup to back you up?

[boxtops]

Numnum, i'm amazed. What happens next, he gets out in the street and runs off? When will enough be enough? Is he the only child who's "escaping"? The place should be escape-proof - you are trusting your child's safety to these people!

[MadMen]

I'm amazed too. Amazed and horrified!

I really do hope you get this sorted. Please, please listen to all the advice on hear and speak to them as soon as you can.
It may sound dramatic to you, but your son is in danger if this situation with him being ALLOWED to escape carries on.
Good luck and goodnight.