Does your preschool make kids go outside in the cold?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You mean the children go outside for fresh air, and a healthful run-around? That's good, and I'm sure you can afford to equip your children appropriately.

+1

[Anonymous]

Ours generally lets the kids play outside if it's above freezing and below about 90 or 95 degrees. And thank goodness for that. The kids do so much better when they get outdoor time. They do have a big playroom, so when it's raining or below freezing, they have a space to run around, but there's no substitute for fresh air!

[Anonymous]

Well, in NW DC yesterday morning it was 30 degrees with 15-16 mph wind. As the director I checked the weather app on my phone and a few other teacher's phones. Then went outside (for my own "real feel" and was nearly bowled over by the wind. So our kids (preschoolers) stayed inside until yesterday afternoon when the temp went up to 36 degrees AND the wind died down. Then they were outside for 30 minutes - our playground is less windy but not fully protected from wind.

We use a chart from Child Care Weather Watch that I've attached a copy of - it's about the wind chill and temperature combined. (and in the summer it's about heat index, humidity.... there are times when it's not safe to take kids outside, then you have to think about the air quality, too...)

We go outside most of the time - and I have sent an email (and will continue to) about bringing hats, mittens, gloves, winter coats, dressing for the weather, snowpants in snow, and that we go outside in all weather. But we still won't take kids out in this biting cold with severe wind chills.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3b/19/48/3b194871a04aa7d9b6f76b9ea0b83528.jpg

Hope this helps! Our teachers are disappointed when our kids can't go outside, as they of course need fresh air and to MOVE. But when the wind gets going it's not a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Ever see this?
In Scandinavia, babies nap in their strollers outside, even in winter.
We are such wimps.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21537988

[Anonymous]

Yes, at my child's preschool they go out no matter the weather, including on very cold days, rainy days, snowy days, days when it's hailing. They are required to arrive at school with weather-appropriate clothing, including e.g. snow pants, rain boots, snow boots, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ever see this?
In Scandinavia, babies nap in their strollers outside, even in winter.
We are such wimps.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21537988

Growing up in New England I used to bring my sleeping bag onto our deck, sit in a chair in the full sun all bundled up and take a nap in the dead of winter. So relaxing.

[Anonymous]

And for every parent who yells if we don't have kids nap outside, there are parents who send their kids to preschool yesterday in a short sleeved shirt, no hat, no mittens and only a thick sweater because she (the 4 year old) doesn't like to wear a coat. So although we didn't go out in AM, we did in the PM and she was cold 's as heck. But what can we do at preschool? The other 19 kids were well dressed, they can't be kept inside.

[Anonymous]

We now live in the Midwest. This morning at 10am our temperature with windchill was 13. Kids and I bundled up and went outside for a walk. It was chilly but manageable. Unless the windchill is ridiculously cold (5 or below) we go for at least a short walk (or snow play) most days.

[Anonymous]

My niece and nephew live in Vermont. They go outside at recess unless it's 10 degrees or below. dCPS and their 40 degree limit is for wusses.

[Anonymous]

Are you kidding, OP? I would be pissed if my child's preschool DIDN'T take her outside in the cold!!! Are you from the south?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got an email from our preschool the other day reminding us that the kids go out in all weather except rain (but will go out in snow), so to please make sure they have weather-appropriate clothing, including boots if needed.

We got this reminder too. But today it was noted that they would not be going outside. I think they make the judgment call each day and the parents just know to send in the cold weather gear.

This would really bother me. It's beautifully sunny out and no wind. Assuming everyone has access to appropriate clothing, there's no reason to keep them inside. I'd switch schools this is just lazy teaching.

Shut up, it was 16 degrees outside when I dropped off my DD this morning. That's pretty cold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, in NW DC yesterday morning it was 30 degrees with 15-16 mph wind. As the director I checked the weather app on my phone and a few other teacher's phones. Then went outside (for my own "real feel" and was nearly bowled over by the wind. So our kids (preschoolers) stayed inside until yesterday afternoon when the temp went up to 36 degrees AND the wind died down. Then they were outside for 30 minutes - our playground is less windy but not fully protected from wind.

We use a chart from Child Care Weather Watch that I've attached a copy of - it's about the wind chill and temperature combined. (and in the summer it's about heat index, humidity.... there are times when it's not safe to take kids outside, then you have to think about the air quality, too...)

We go outside most of the time - and I have sent an email (and will continue to) about bringing hats, mittens, gloves, winter coats, dressing for the weather, snowpants in snow, and that we go outside in all weather. But we still won't take kids out in this biting cold with severe wind chills.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3b/19/48/3b194871a04aa7d9b6f76b9ea0b83528.jpg

Hope this helps! Our teachers are disappointed when our kids can't go outside, as they of course need fresh air and to MOVE. But when the wind gets going it's not a good idea.

THANK YOU! This was really helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, in NW DC yesterday morning it was 30 degrees with 15-16 mph wind. As the director I checked the weather app on my phone and a few other teacher's phones. Then went outside (for my own "real feel" and was nearly bowled over by the wind. So our kids (preschoolers) stayed inside until yesterday afternoon when the temp went up to 36 degrees AND the wind died down. Then they were outside for 30 minutes - our playground is less windy but not fully protected from wind.

We use a chart from Child Care Weather Watch that I've attached a copy of - it's about the wind chill and temperature combined. (and in the summer it's about heat index, humidity.... there are times when it's not safe to take kids outside, then you have to think about the air quality, too...)

We go outside most of the time - and I have sent an email (and will continue to) about bringing hats, mittens, gloves, winter coats, dressing for the weather, snowpants in snow, and that we go outside in all weather. But we still won't take kids out in this biting cold with severe wind chills.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3b/19/48/3b194871a04aa7d9b6f76b9ea0b83528.jpg

Hope this helps! Our teachers are disappointed when our kids can't go outside, as they of course need fresh air and to MOVE. But when the wind gets going it's not a good idea.

Why? What will happen?

[Anonymous]

When we lived in the Midwest, DC's daycare could take kids out unless it was below 20 degrees. Send your child to school with appropriate clothes!!

[Anonymous]

I'm so grateful to have found a preschool that takes my 2 yo outside to play. If nothing else, the fresh air is so much healthier.