Kids not allowed on school playground before school w/o parent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not just pay for before-care?

because it's not free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone else said, this is an odd policy, since children are allowed to play on the playground at other times when school is not in session (weekends, evenings, summers, etc.). I wonder what the justification of this policy would be and what, if any, legal standing it might have. After all, a school playground is effectively a public park.....

Not at all times. Schools may allow the public to use the grounds, or lock the gates. Careful what you wish for.

In our area, schools are gated off each day when the After School Program ends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone else said, this is an odd policy, since children are allowed to play on the playground at other times when school is not in session (weekends, evenings, summers, etc.). I wonder what the justification of this policy would be and what, if any, legal standing it might have. After all, a school playground is effectively a public park.....

I think it comes down to who has responsibility for the child, and making those lines clear. On weekends, summer and evenings when staff are not around it is clear that if a kid is using the playground a parent or caregiver is responsible for his well being. During the school day it is clear that staff members are responsible for the child.

Walking through the school doors during school hours is a clear handoff of responsibility from caregiver/parent to school. If kids show up at the playground 30 minutes before the doors open who is responsible? Plenty of parents would say that the kids are at school now, so they are safe and accounted for, and wash their hands of responsibility.

+1 Well stated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's just interesting b/c kids could play on school grounds at night or weekends without parents and that's ok.

Right but I think its much more obvious at those times that the school is not responsible for your child. 15 minutes before school starts, its murkier.

Our schools have a clearly stated start time. Teachers have to be present by 30 minutes before that time, and students can enter the building. Some schools let them go to class, while others have them go to the cafeteria or gym.