I am planning an outdoor party at our house for my 6yo daughter. We have an in-ground pool that is 3ft in shallow end and 9 1/2 ft at deep end with diving board. The deep end is marked from the shallow end by a rope with floaties - so it's easy to see where it drops off.
I expect I'll have 12 to 20 children (most of them around 6yrs old) plus a few older neighbor kids. I know they will want to go in the pool at some point - how do I manage safety and / or liability concerns? Should I invite parents to stay to supervise their children, ask friends to help supervise the pool area or just not allow them in the pool - what would you do?
I am definitely not a strong swimmer myself, although my husband is. My daughter and her neighbor friends know the rules for the pool and are good at abiding by them, but some of the children I'm inviting have never been to my home before (classmates). I'm also trying to picture how I will manage 15 wet children changing into dry clothes to be picked up, etc.
We will have other games / activities to do in the backyard.
Any advice appreciated!
W.
Thanks for all your good advice on this one. I knew I had to put safeguards into place and just felt lost as to where to start. Having a small home daycare, I never allow the children in the pool - it's only for our family during 'family time/non-working hours' so it hasn't been an issue before. For the party (which I'm now calling a 'backyard party'), we are going to have just one hour of pool-time during which there will be two adults in the water with the children just to supervise (one is a certified lifeguard but am not advertising that fact). I also invited parents to feel free to be at the party during pool time, let them know no one would be allowed in the deep part of the pool and included 'pool rules' for them to go over with their chid. I am CPR-certified and also when the pool is closed, the gate to the pool area is securely locked along with two levels of alarms (one goes off if anyone manages to climb over the fence and one if anything heavier than 4 lbs hits the water). Also - I realized that my daughter would be overwhelmed with too big a group so have decided not to invite as many children. Thanks again mamas! I feel like I've got a more manageable plan now.
I also would put on the invite that a parent/guardian will be required for each child. I like the idea of a set time for the pool, so then the parent/guardian would only have to stay for the pool time.
W.,
First, let me say that I work at a pool and am a Mom. I think 12-20 kids is too many for a pool party. Personally I think it's too many for any 6 yr old party. I've seen "advice" somewhere that said kids can pay attention to as many guests as they are old. With that said, maybe you can invite a few friends for a pool party BEFORE the regular party or the day before?
If you still go ahead with 12-20 I would not dub it as a "pool party" but rather a backyard party, that way the focus isn't on the pool. Also IF parents decide to allow their children to go in the pool I would say they must stay and agree there should be a set "pool time" so that each parent is responsible for safety and drying off/changing. I would impy NOTHING about "lifeguards" on the invitations as I believe you are assuming some responsibility/liability then. Also, I would include the "pool rules" as a separate page along with the invitation - including the bold print of parents must be present if/while the child swims. Also, I would station your husband as permanent life guard when anyone is in the pool. No playing, chatting, etc. Safety first.
As far as after pool time or for kids not swimming, I would assign one teenager the sole job of watching the pool and making sure no one enters without supervision - kids are curious and have a horrible knack for going back in when no one is watching. Make sure you "CLOSE" the pool and rope of or remove the ladder when playtime is over.
Finally is ANYONE CPR certified? It's quick and easy. I would imagine with a home day care that there are certain first aid requirements. If not, make sure someone is.
Best of luck. I hope the party goes well.
Sara
We had my daughter's 6th birthday party at our neighborhood pool last year. I knew that there was no way I could watch all the children, expect the lifeguards to watch them all or ask the parents who chose to stay to watch others' kids...so I asked that one responsible adult stay with each child/family who was invited to the party.
It worked out well and saved me a lot of stress. I would suggest the same for your child's party. There is no way to know how well children can swim and you can't keep track of them all.
It might even been a good idea to "hire" a few extra teenagers who know how to swim just to be in the water and police things too. Better safe than sorry.
One of my friends had a party for her 6-year-old at a community pool. She didn't require parents to stay -- only that they communicate with her about their child's swimming abilities -- since there would be lifeguards. Well, one little girl really wasn't a strong swimmer, but she was trying to keep up with the group and jumped in the deep end. The whole party ended with the lifeguards in the pool, an incident report being filled out and an ambulance called. And the parent of this child told my friend her daughter could swim! I would DEFINITELY require parents to stay if their child plans to swim. And I also would "employ" older kids as lifeguards to keep track of the pool, because that is a lot of kids and parents don't always watch their kids very well, at least that's been my experience.
I agree with Amy. Put on the invitations that all children will be required to be accompanied by a parent/guardian for safety reasons. (you can probably think up a nice way to word that) I would also look into "hiring" a few older teens as lifeguards to keep extra eyes out. Would your grown kids be able to be around or their friends? Definitely don't take any chances, something can happen in the matter of seconds. Also I would have set "pool hours" for when the kids are gonna swim and keep the pool closed off the rest of the time. It would be too crazy to just have kids going in and out of the pool as they please, this could potentially be when a child gets left behind and drowns...I don't mean to sound panicky, if you take the necessary precautions I'm sure it will be a great time! As for dripping wet kids, is there any way to set up two small tents or just separate areas for boys and girls to go and change outside? If you have a set pool time that will also a eliminate the in and out of your house. Every will change into suits once, go swimming, then change back and be done with it. Good luck!
My son had a 7yo birthday party at the community pool and on the invitation we said that either parents have to swim, too, or the kids would have to stay in the shallow end (roped off). About 4 kids were in the shallow end with me supervising. The parents were good sports about it, although I admit that it is a lot to ask (we know everyone pretty well, though.)
I wouldn't have that many kids near the pool without having at least one adult in the water to every 2 kids. You and your husband will be too busy to supervise, and drowning can happen so quickly. But maybe the parents will like to be invited for some swimming too!
I wouldn't do it!!! As a childcare provide, you know the importance of safety and the need for proper supervision. The pool is very dangerous, and can be a huge liability. If you decide to have the party, only allow children to participate under their parents' supervision. You may even want to have folks sign a disclaimer. Very high risk!!!
I wish you all the best!
