Garden ramp?
Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  1
Dislikes Dislikes:  0
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Garden ramp?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Posts
    66
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Garden ramp?

    Hello all!

    I have a lo (15 months) who is always on the move and exploring. He walks but is sometimes unsteady on his feet and has little sense if danger. I want to leave my patio door open to allow free access for all children into the secure garden but in the few occasions I have done this he has gone head first out the door! Luckily with me night there so he hasn't hurt himself! I really don't want to have to put another baby gate in my house but at the same time don't want him having an accident either.

    Has anyone been in a similar situation and hue have you risk assessed/ dealt with this?

    Have thought if a ramp on the outside but maybe this is unnecessary!

    Any advice.....

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    2,868
    Registered Childminder since
    Nov 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I have used a travel barrier (not a gate as it does not open, it is a lightweight pressure fix one that packs away in a bag) in the summer so I can leave the patio door open for the fresh air when I had a little one who was likely to take a tumble out. It means older children don't have free access but it is only while the little one is about and I am cooking/phone/loo etc. During naps, when little one is not there or when I am giving 100% 1:1 attention then it comes down. It was the only option that would fit in my patio doors, too wide for a stair gate.

    But when door is open with no barrier, I make a big deal of teaching the little ones to sit down and go out backwards, crawling down step to patio. Remember this phase will pass soon- a couple of months and this child will have mastered it so I would not make any major structural or costly changes unless you think this is going to be an on-going issue! That is why the pack-away barrier is useful, I just put it away for the next child!

    I'd have thought a ramp would not make much difference to a stumbling 1yo- and there is always the ridges of the door frame to trip over too.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    1,211
    Registered Childminder since
    May 13
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Good
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    I think it depends a bit on the set-up of your house/where you are likely to be in relation to this LO. I'm a big believer in teaching children to use steps safely but this has to be weighed against the time and attention needed to be 100% sure that you will always see them heading for the step before they reach it. We have a step between the playroom and our kitchen. I've taught my own children and the crawling LOs to stop, turn around and come down backwards, safely. This took a fair amount of time and energy and worked for me at the time. I also think Moggy's suggestion is a good one to use something temporary for the short amount of time this will be an issue. At the same time, you could work with the LO to learn to go down the step safely when the barrier is removed. It is something they need to learn - most steps don't have ramps.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    cambridge
    Posts
    903
    Registered Childminder since
    Feb 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    good
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I spent a week teaching my 12 month old to go over our patio step he can now do it fine only holds on with one hand. He went from learning to walk to doing steps over patio doors in a month. He is very very active a monster when it comes to climbing which might be why he learnt so quick

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Posts
    683
    Registered Childminder since
    Jan 13
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I have a sliding patio door, with a hard edged trip hazard of a metal frame, and the step down to the patio is quite awkward for little legs.

    I fold a big old cotton rug into 4 and lay it over the door frame and down and out onto the patio. It stops the LO's hurting heads/ tummies on the bottom of the door frame, and would soften the blow if anyone crawled out head first etc.

    (It also prevents the door being slid shut on little fingers )

    I have a ramp on my 'wishlist' but I doubt I will ever get it together to organise finding one/ getting on made Think the LOs would love rolling things down it too!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Kent
    Posts
    696
    Registered Childminder since
    Oct 05
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I only have the ledge of the door and one step, I teach them to go down safely and also put a thin crash mat on the patio just in case!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    4,126
    Registered Childminder since
    sep09
    Latest Inspection Grade
    outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    My back door is lethal ...the threshold trip followed by a steep drop .
    My oh made a temporary ramp ..he is generally dreadful at diy but this was relatively easy...2 triangles of wood and a top piece , nailed together , all covered in carpet. Crawlers could access the garden as could newly walkers and even the big ones tripped less! That was 3 years ago and the ramp is still there , amazing since it wasn't treated and it stays outside year round. This spring I have 2 crawlers and 2 new walkers who will benefit..
    I agree about teaching los to deal with things like steps and other small hazards properly , but my own step was just too risky and would have needed constant supervision.

  8. Likes lisbet liked this post
 

 

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Quick Links and Advertisements

Important Information Links
Some Useful Quick Links
Advertisements

 

You can also find us on:
Garden ramp? Garden ramp? Garden ramp?

We use cookies to make this site as useful as possible. They are small text files placed in your browser to track usage of our site but they don’t tell us who you are.
By continuing to use this site you are consenting to cookies being placed on your computer. Find out more here: Cookies in Use

Childminding Help and the Childminding Forum are part of Childcare.co.uk