I really do not feel as though providers need to actively engage the children at all times. Not my point at all. I am by no means judging her based on this. The reason I am able to play is because I have very wee ones and must stick very close by if they are on the equipment, and because I want to.

In my opinion, if you have children as young as Susie in your care, you either have to confine them, or you have to follow them around from structure to structure. It is unreasonable to me as a caregiver AND a mother to think that a 16 mo is capable of navigating a playground without direct supervision.

That is all. I just want to be clear that I am not judging care providers who strictly supervise free play times.