Does your daycare still have outside time in the winter?

[Anonymous]

Overall, we love our daycare, but have come to learn that the outside time in the winter has been rather limited. It was probably like this last year as well and we just didn’t notice, but now that DS has s 2.5 he is bouncing off the walls every night when he comes home. DH has taken to picking him up a bit early when possible and letting him run around in yard even if it’s dark just to burn off some energy. I totally get not going out in inclement weather or when it’s really cold/windy, but think a sunny day in the 40s is completely reasonable. We’ve been trying to compensate with extra time outdoors on the weekends, but then we have crappy weekends like the one coming up.

Anyway, does anyone else have this issue? Are your kids still getting outside at daycare? I wonder if it’s worth saying something to our caregiver. We are at a larger in-home now and again are very happy overall, but if this keeps up we may need to move DS to a center when possible. He just really needs the time outside.

[Anonymous]

Yes, multiple times per day but we chose a place specifically because the put a heavy emphasis on getting the kids outdoors as much as possible. Rain, snow or shine.

I used to go to a daycare center and they would not take them outside in the winter unless the weather was perfect (or as perfect/warm as winter could get).

I would definitely say something.

[Anonymous]

My kids go outside in the winter if it’s nice. They have been out every day this week (twice a day).

Ask about their policy and go from there. If they just don’t go outside from Dec to March that’s patently stupid.

[Anonymous]

My 3yo goes out twice per day unless it is inclement weather (snowing, raining, etc.) Her older sibling did as well when she was in a different daycare. Neither were in-home, though.

[Anonymous]

Yup. It was a major factor for us. They went out everyday unless it was really bitterly cold, or raining/sleeting. The teachers were pretty open about preferring the days when the kids went outside.

The issue might be either that the teachers don't want to go outside in the cold (problem--good teachers know that kids need outside time AND behave better when they get it) or that some kids don't have proper gear, especially mittens, hats, etc.

[Anonymous]

I thought there were state mandated outdoor requirements unless it's snowing? Maybe that's only in md?

[Anonymous]

I work as a preschool teacher and I would go mental if we did not go outside everyday. It was only 5 degrees today where I live but we had such a lovely time. The children are so imaginative outside. While we have the usual sleds and shovels, we also have old tires, wood pallets, rubber tiles and milk crates that the children can move around and integrate into their play.

Some of the children don't have the proper gear when the first snow falls in November. We have to harass the parents to provide proper winter clothes. We have a lot of immigrants from warm countries who think rainboots and cheap cotton mittens are appropriate. Still that is not going to keep us inside.

When there's a will, there's a way. I suppose there is no will where your daycare is concerned.

[Anonymous]

Ours takes them outside as long as it’s above 32 degrees.

[Anonymous]

I wonder why some of the centers mentioned above keep kids in if it is snowing? Falling snow is beautiful and opens up so many potential topics to talk about/ study (what makes snow, what do snowflakes look like, what does it taste like etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder why some of the centers mentioned above keep kids in if it is snowing? Falling snow is beautiful and opens up so many potential topics to talk about/ study (what makes snow, what do snowflakes look like, what does it taste like etc).

Ours definitely took the kids out if it was snowing, but not if it was raining or sleeting. Being wet and cold is no fun.

[Anonymous]

Yes, as long as it's above freezing. They also go out in rain or snow, because they play areas are covered. It's fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought there were state mandated outdoor requirements unless it's snowing? Maybe that's only in md?

It is twice a day that we are supposed to go outside. It's hard when some parents don't send their kids in adequately clothed. Sometimes we can only be out for a short while because the kids are too cold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought there were state mandated outdoor requirements unless it's snowing? Maybe that's only in md?

It is twice a day that we are supposed to go outside. It's hard when some parents don't send their kids in adequately clothed. Sometimes we can only be out for a short while because the kids are too cold.

That would not fly here. Parents need to provide proper clothing. End of story.