Nursery World - Playing too safe?

By trying to protect children from harm, are we depriving them of learning? Tim Gill argues that early years staff can rethink their attitudes to taking risk Our nursery offers a safe and secure environment for children,' says the mission statement. But what exactly does 'a safe and secure environment'

Our nursery offers a safe and secure environment for children,' says the mission statement. But what exactly does 'a safe and secure environment'

mean?

One thing is becoming clear: it does not mean stopping children from testing themselves, having adventures or taking risks.

With 'pro-risk' views and articles now appearing in the popular press and professional debates, a more balanced approach to child safety is definitely in the air. Of course, the 'safety at all costs' brigade still rears its head. But these days it's more likely to be the knee-jerk reaction of a safety dinosaur than official Ofsted or HSE policy. And everyone has his or her story of health and safety madness. My personal favourites are banning egg boxes and daisy chains. And yes, they really did happen.

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