Psychotomy

So

A few weeks ago, our Gymboree Play & Fun (or whatever) location moved. New bigger space, a little more “on the beaten path” (but they might want to put up a sign that people can see when they’re not already in the parking lot, for that part), etc.

But. The old location had kitchen-style cabinets. Upper and lower. It had latches and locks and catches on everything below the counter. Stuff over the counter was unfettered, but if the kids get to that point, it’s all over anyway.

The new place? Not so much with the prepared. I don’t really blame the staff, because from what I understand some of hte issue is due to them having to rely on the building management. But, for instance:

1. The Old location had a small (~2′ wide? less?) openening, and a gate that swung out, and door-stopped and latched. The new location? The opening is 3-4′ wide. And ungated. They’ve been using gym mats. Except that has problems. First of all, none of them are quite big enough to properly block the entrance and support themselves well. Second? Yeah, DK can just walk up and either push or pull them out of his way. Point, DK.
2. Tonight when we went for freeplay, they had the new gate! Except it’s a saloon-style two part swinging door. Double hinged. So it swings out and in. Easily. Apparently it swung back earlier today and whacked a kid in the head (not hard, but I think that was more an issue of how far out the kid was). Doesn’t latch either. Which meant DK could just run at it and through and play in the lobby area. And that swingback? That’s got some force on it. It has a very low oscillation, so it dampens out pretty fast. But that first swing back? Comes back at least as far as you pushed, possibly more. Yeah … Not what I had in mind. Point, DK.
3. The closet where they keep a lot of the toys is a standard dual fan closet door. Actually, DK hasn’t (quite) figured out the secret on those yet. Mostly because the handles are high enough that he has to stand too close to get good leverage. Oh, but the other door? Sliding door. Unlatched. (WTF? What is it with this building and not latching anything?) First day at the new place, DK followed one of the instructors, and learned how to open that door. I have to keep him away from it because it is NO trouble for him . Well oiled track I s’pose. Less oil, more latch!!! Point. DK.
4. The small cabinet they put in themselves, to hold some of the more common toys, and to prop up their CD player. Actually, the first week, DK was changing their CDs for them and switching tracks. They pushed the player to the very back of the top shelf and now it’s at least hard for him to play with it, so no point (because if I give them one for moving it, I have to give him the one for getting to it first anyway).
5. The small cabinet has little magnetic catches. Weak ones. DK was popping that door the first week too. They keep tamborines in there. It only took them maybe two weeks to get one of those standard kitchen latch kidsafe things. The trombone ones. That go through close loop exposed handles. Except the cabinet has low profile knobs. The block on the lock makes it press out from the cabinet so badly that last week the whole thing popped. I put it back together (because my son is the one who likes playing in there, so it’s for my own benefit), except I’ve also noticed two instructors who just pry it off rather than unlatching it. No wonder it popped. I have one of our spares, that will work well on that door, in the car. Point, DK
6. They got a new instructor on Tuesday. And she was, understandably, not quite as pre-prepped as other (old hands) are. So she kept opening the cabinets throughout class. The bifold closet 4 times. The sliding door 3. And DK was watching her. He wants to learn the secrets on that bifold door because (a) they have toys in there, and (b) daddy hasn’t latched all the closets at home yet! Of course, she also would take the toys out and then leave the door open …. OK, she’s putting these toys down, then going back for more or going back to close it when her hands aren’t full or … no, she’s just leaving it. CRAP! DK is running across to play with the stuff! … I kept closing the doors. I hope she gets better, because right now? she’s more of a menace, IMO. Because bifold doors? While he can’t open them (leverage), he can close them (gravity). And he can close them while his hand is in the fold. And that will lead to screaming. And that I do not need. Point. DK.

You’d think that an organization oriented towards 0-5 kids … would know that 0-5 get into things and need locks dammit!

Posted in: DK, general by attriel /