Open soft play centres

The Government have not struck a balance between the rights of the child and adults. GIRFEC is not being followed. You are allowing licenced premises to be open 10-10 and prohibiting soft play centres from opening when all other UK jurisdictions have allowed their reopening.

Pre schoolers are restricted whilst adults can attend a pub all day every day. Given you have excluded under 12s from the Rule of Six and social distancing it is appalling you are excluding soft play centres from opening having been closed since March. Most of these businesses will manage to have a sensible booking system and cleaning regime in place.

Coming into winter with lots of rainy days the option on outdoor playparks are now limited.

Please reconsider this. You will lose businesses and in turn isolate mothers and young children.

Why the contribution is important

As above. Getting it Right for Every Child. Ensuring children have the access at a young age to recreation and fitness. You have allowed trampoline parks to open but prohibit soft play in doing so.

by Lkpford on October 05, 2020 at 06:49PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.4
Based on: 63 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Lharris12 October 05, 2020 at 18:53

    Totally agree

  • Posted by Pat_Abz October 05, 2020 at 19:40

    I agree. New mothers and under 5s appear to be low on the list of ScotGovt priorities.

  • Posted by HappyPumpkin81 October 05, 2020 at 20:18

    I could not agree more. The wellbeing of mothers and under 5's do not seem to be on the government's agenda.

  • Posted by lmccallion October 05, 2020 at 20:32

    I completely agree. I am a mother of a 4 year old and a 2 year old. My 4 year old has nursery but the only place I can take my 2 year old to is parks which is not going to be possible in the winter months due to the weather. I really feel that just now my 2 year old has barely anything to do or anywhere he can socialise with other toddlers his own age and I feel this is affecting his development. We need soft plays open and we also need toddler classes to be allowed a larger amount of parents and toddlers to attend so that running the classes are financially viable for class leaders.

  • Posted by AndyHix October 05, 2020 at 20:35

    Definitely agree. The emphasis on enabling adults to go out to the pub to socialise while kids under 12 are deprived of one of their key areas of socialisation just seems very wrong

  • Posted by GeorgeAH5 October 05, 2020 at 20:37

    We need indoor social play, this is a whole industry at risk. New mums and babies have not been been able to play and socialise since April. There are massive mental health issues here.
    You allow pubs to be open but not indoor play. There are no clinical reasons to keep them closed.

  • Posted by StuHirst October 05, 2020 at 20:52

    agree 100%

  • Posted by Dawnys86 October 05, 2020 at 20:53

    I think it’s an absolute disgrace, I would love to see the “science” reports that have made her decide soft plays are at a higher risk of infection than a pub!
    She has no idea what it’s like to be a mum and the daily stress of planning on what to stimulate children in this current climate!
    Children social skills and overall development have definitely being damaged during the last 7months

  • Posted by Morrisc0502 October 05, 2020 at 20:54

    The safety of our children is paramount. If soft play cannot be opened because of the risks then so be it. Places such as education establishment have strict hand hygiene and cleaning schedules in place and have to balance a child’s right to education. Which is essential to Scotland’s future.

    Soft play is not essential if it cannot provide an evidence based, safe play environment.

    Unfortunate for the business. But children’s welfare must always come first. Other activities and establishments such as swimming and leisure parks can fill this gap if needed

  • Posted by Marshalln25 October 05, 2020 at 21:09

    There has been no clinical evidence put forward to prove why soft plays and restrictions for under 5s are currently in place. These are some of the most important years of their lives and its deeply worrying how this pandemic will affectly them mentally.

  • Posted by blloughdennell October 05, 2020 at 21:18

    I am a mother of a 3 year old and while I miss the refuge of soft play during weeks of rain, I cannot imagine how this could be safely undertaken at this stage.

    At soft play, it's often necessary for adults to stay close to their children in case they get hurt, scared, etcetera. Having adults crawling through to reach their child required close contact between strangers before Covid-19 and is impossible to socially distance.

    At least with playgrounds, the air is fresh and it's possible to visually negotiate space between adults when following children climbing around.

  • Posted by Swankie October 05, 2020 at 21:35

    As nurseries are open so should soft play areas be.

  • Posted by Goodall19 October 05, 2020 at 21:58

    I’m a mother of a 5 year old and 10 month old. Think it’s absolutely shocking that soft play isn’t open. I know for sure how equipped and prepared these venues are around reduced booking.

    Children are missing out here and are being punished. Rights for every child have been removed.

    Okay for adults to drink for hours in a pub where they will not social distance after a few.

     I can not understand how it is okay for us to join other strangers in a pub, restaurant or gym at two metre distance apart but can not let children socialise in soft play.

    Children go to school together, attend dance groups, breakfast and Afterschool clubs but can not play at soft play.

    It can be possible at a reduced capacity and over the day be split into booking time slots to reduce crowds.

    As the guidance states adults can also wear masks on arriving and moving around the venues.

    My oldest misses it so much.

  • Posted by Rfazekas October 05, 2020 at 22:03

    Totally agree, my 2 years old son so missing softplays. Definitely seen improvements before lockdown on his development, so much fun and laugh when we could go. Gov should seriously to take consider the wellbeing impact of these kids if they will not reopen softplays.

  • Posted by ScottishLass October 05, 2020 at 22:44

    Totally agree, softplays should be open. Young kiddies should be allowed to socialise and have fun, and this should have been priority over opening pubs.

    Softplays cant stay closed forever, and many wont be able to open if they remain closed for much longer.

    Children are low risk and socialising at school. If people are worried or have weakened immune systems, they can totally decide not to go - but we should be given the option

  • Posted by montyred October 05, 2020 at 23:00

    I absolutely agree. Since when were pubs safer than play areas?

  • Posted by Mum2boys October 06, 2020 at 00:39

    Soft plays should be aloud to be open, why should trampoline parks be aloud to open and have parent and toddler sessions but soft play can’t?

  • Posted by LeiaAvra October 06, 2020 at 06:04

    I agree. You are mentally crippling preschoolers and young mothers that you have completely isolated as there is NO place for them to socialise!!!
    Children are losing so much being held hostages in their own homes since the weather is coming colder every day and there is nowhere to go.

  • Posted by KellyR October 06, 2020 at 06:20

    Soft play needs to open, its been open 8 weeks at least in other areas of the uk.
    Toddlers have been forgotten about during these phases for re-opening they don’t need to socially distance yet they can’t go anywhere apart from to outdoor parks which with scottish weather is too cold now or walks again really cold.
    Soft play allows children the encouragement needed to play with other children, to learn how to do things and become more confident but also it helps their muscle development and you are stopping this from happening. Everyone speaks about mental health in adults deteriorating but what about young children there development is getting stunted with not being able to be around other children then when they are they won’t know how to react and can be shy, scared etc my daughters playgroup has been completely shut due to council funding.
    Why has all other parts of the uk opened and we haven’t? What is the reason behind this?

  • Posted by Harcus92 October 06, 2020 at 07:23

    It seems nonsensical that young children and an entire industry are being penalised, despite children under 12 being exempt from social distancing. Children under 12 make up the vast majority of soft play users. And let's not forget we're talking about people's livelihoods which have been on hold since March.

    So any adult can go to the pub, daily, and make their own mistakes (as is being proven in almost every city across the UK) but children who can't understand the restrictions and are EXEMPT from them have no means to socialise and develop vital interpersonal skills, as well as just have fun!
    It's not an easy time for anyone, especially the kids - let them play!

  • Posted by Sarahkeer October 06, 2020 at 08:18

    Let children play!
    The national clinical director has said children can exercise outdoors, in the flooding conditions over the weekend affecting many open spaces and the soon to be freezing temperatures this is impossible. Let children play in a safe environment over the winter and let the parents sit in the cafe, just like they are allowed to in any other cafe.

  • Posted by Allovesdavid October 06, 2020 at 10:49

    I work in a soft play centre and we done a tremendous amount of work and the owners have spend a hug amount of money getting the centre ready for reopening. We have installed huge screens at reception and cafe. Got more hand sanitizing stations, removed tables so that we can ensure parents are spaced apart in line with social distancing. The owner has been bought a flogging machine to clean the play frame and seating areas. We have medical grade cleaning products and staff have been trained in the new cleaning regime. We had high standards pre covid, but now even more so. We've been fortunate that we have such amazing customers, who have been willing to make bookings and happy now to reschedule them. But at the moment we dont have a date for opening. The poor kids have had no soft play for 7 months. Now that the weather is getting colder, parents will be desperate to get keep the active and have fun with their friends. We have regular autism friendly sessions too and I cant imagine how difficult at time parents of autistic kids and kids who need additional support, are coping. They have freedom to run around here safely, while their parents can relax for an hour or so. People are correct in saying that adults are being catered for, but kids were kept off school, didn't see friends and family for months. Bow their freedom is still being limited. Sorry, but when you're a child playing is all you want to do!! Going round tesco to get out the house wouldnt be my idea of fun! Running, climbing, crawling, sliding and screaming is much more like it! Come on, you have to see sense and let play centres throughout Scotland reopen. Otherwise they may become a thing of the past. Almost all I know of are small family run places, who can't afford to wait until next year.

  • Posted by Liv October 06, 2020 at 11:19

    I totally agree with this . If young children don’t need to social distance then why are they still shut?
    How can adults go to the pub but young children can’t go to a soft play?

  • Posted by sheilsmitch October 06, 2020 at 11:34

    Socialising children is far and away more important than having pubs open to let adults socialise.

    The interaction that children get with others between the ages o 0-5 outside of a school environment will help to shape them and you are taking this right and key developmental age way from them in favour of allowing people to get pissed and break the rules you have put in place for their safety

  • Posted by JeniaFinegan October 06, 2020 at 15:50

    Absolutely agree. The soft play centres should be open immediately. The adults can socially distance in these areas and /or wear a mask if they need to closely supervise their children. It is important to remember that no healthy child died as a result of Covid 19 in the UK. Any measures restricting children are disproportionate.

  • Posted by Hunter007 October 06, 2020 at 15:58

    Completely agree, how have they deemed it safe for trampoline parks to open and not soft play? Probably because its mostly small independent businesses that run soft plays and not large companies!
    Children need to socialise and play and given our Scottish weather, soft play is needed. Not only for the children but for the parents too!!
    Soft plays have opened in England without any issues and good practises put in place, so why not Scotland.
    The Scottish government is losing the support of its people with these unsupported reasons for keeping such businesses closed.

  • Posted by sarahwatt October 07, 2020 at 23:05

    Soft play was at the back of the reopening "queue" and has missed out simply because it’s now politically unacceptable to be reopening any more things while cases are going up again. These are mostly small businesses that people have put their hearts and souls into, they can’t survive much longer without either opening or receiving financial help, and they are hugely valued services for young children that we can’t afford to lose like this. They had invested so much in preparing to reopen safely and it just seems cruel to ask them to take all those measures, and then not allow them to open after all and not provide any additional support.

  • Posted by Lynsey1980 October 11, 2020 at 15:54

    With soft play areas op en in other parts of the UK I don't understand why they are still shut in Scotland. Indoor trampoline facilities are open, but toddler are unable to use these. Going to the park will only be available as a play option away from home for so long before the winter months come in.
    Please stop disadvantaging the youngest members of our community, why do their social opportunities appear to be of lower importance than adults and school aged children?

  • Posted by Nm October 11, 2020 at 19:57

    Soft play is an example of a business that should re-invent itself and move outdoors because covid will not disappear soon.

    I worry about opening soft play because it's impossible to maintain foolproof hygiene. It involves groups of adults gathering indoors while supervising their children and this also puts their wider households at risk.

    It would make an exception for some adults to mix outside their households which encourages others to break rules because of a feeling of unfairness just as the extension of size of mother and baby groups has.

    The main problem with exemptions is that it dilutes the message that multiple social interactions seed the virus.

Log in or register to add comments and rate ideas

Idea topics