Parents banned from play areas

Council says only adults with criminal record checks are allowed near children

Posted: 29 October 2009
by Tessa Watkins

Parents have been banned from some playgrounds in Watford

Parents have been banned from adventure playgrounds because a council says only adults with criminal record checks can be allowed near children, reports The Metro. All grown-ups have been excluded from two play areas in Watford, apart from a few council-vetted ‘play facilitators’, who will help youngsters.

A council notice was sent to parents informing them of the ban. Claude Knights, founder of Kidscape, said, “Caring parents shouldn’t be viewed as a threat. You’re in a better position to look after your children than council staff.”

But Mayor Dorothy Thornhill said the council is just enforcing government policy. “Sadly, in today’s climate, you can’t have adults walking around unchecked in a children’s playground.” Ofsted have re-assured worried parents that only people working with children needed to be checked, and not all adults on the premises. “We would never seek to prevent parents and carers having access to their own children.”

What do you think of the ban? Let us know below….

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children, council, criminal record checks, Kidscape, Ofsted, parents, playground

So what do you think?

Susanne Robertson
I think this really is taking it a step too far. Once you've begun something like this, then how far do you take it? Will they ban parents from standing in the school playground to pick up their kids? It really should be up to the parents to watch out for their kids in playgrounds...I really hope this doesn't catch on with other councils around the country! About 3 years ago

Charmaine
This is ridiculous & any way who would police it? I think if you see someone regularly hanging around play areas without children and they are on their own questions should be asked but honestly how can you ensure the safety of the little ones on the play area if you are not with them! goodness me what next! About 3 years ago

theoldwomanwholivesinashoe

Another clever idea from those good old council folk.

How are you supposed to let your children play?I refuse to have a criminal record check just to play with my own children.Are they planning on bringing back park keepers to police this?

Little common sense,please.

There is(or at least was last time I was there)a park in London called Coram's Field.It's near Great Ormond Street Hospital.There is a gated entrance,and only children or adults acccompanying them are allowed in.That's cos it's a special park for children only.Most playgrounds are part of a larger park,open to everyone.

It doesn't make the world a safer place just by turning all adults into criminals,worse than that we're all out to harm children.What a horrible paranoid world we're bringing our children up in.What's happening to their/our freedom

About 3 years ago

x.Laura.x

thats really pushing it!

About 3 years ago

mummabear

I really hope that doesn't catch on with our council-I adore the swings!!!!! I do go with the lads,so surely they can't stop me going on????

I'd be gutted!!! My fave is the slide in the indoor playarea-as I have to pay for Jc,who just sits in a ball pool,I make sure I get his moneys worth-the slide is massive and I try and wear cords so I go faster!!!!!

About 3 years ago

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