Nursery World - Safety-first mentality is stifling simple play

Children's freedom to play is being stifled by a culture of caution, according to a survey that found some providers have gone to extremes such as banning the making of daisy chains, playing with yo-yos and doing handstands in an effort to keep children safe. The survey, carried out to mark yesterday's annual Playday event (7 August), came across a number of examples of children being kept from playing in the name of safety. At one infants school, children were not allowed to make daisy chains because the teacher said they might pick up germs from the ground. Yo-yos were banned from one school's playground in case they caused injuries, and handstands were outlawed in another because a pupil doing a handstand had injured her elbow.

The survey, carried out to mark yesterday's annual Playday event (7 August), came across a number of examples of children being kept from playing in the name of safety. At one infants school, children were not allowed to make daisy chains because the teacher said they might pick up germs from the ground. Yo-yos were banned from one school's playground in case they caused injuries, and handstands were outlawed in another because a pupil doing a handstand had injured her elbow.

Other instances of extreme precautions reported to the Children's Society and Children's Play Council, an alliance of charities working to promote better play opportunities, included a primary school that had banned 'tag'

and other running games in case children fell over, and a school where children were not allowed on to wooden climbing frames in case they fell.

Children's Play Council director Tim Gill said, 'There is no one person or body to blame. What is at fault is our culture of caution, which is in danger of stifling our children's development and sense of play.'

The survey of more than 500 children aged up to 15 across the UK found that nearly half - 45 per cent - were not allowed to play with water, while 36 per cent were prevented from climbing trees, 27 per cent were not allowed on climbing equipment and 23 per cent were prevented from riding bikes or skateboards.

Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of the Children's Society, said, 'Research has shown that children learn through taking risks, and our survey says children want challenging, adventurous playgrounds. We need to overcome our over-cautious culture and let children take a chance on play.'

But the NASUWT teachers' union objected to the report's tone. Chris Keates, NASUWT deputy general secretary, said, 'It is easy for those who do not bear the onerous responsibilities schools have for children's safety to criticise them for responding in this way.

'Such criticisms might be better directed at the seemingly-growing number of ambulance-chasing solicitors who encourage parents to make claims for even the most minor incident.'