Reply to Does your preschool make kids go outside in the cold?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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.  [b]But when the wind gets going it's not a good idea.  [/b]
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[b]Why?  What will happen?[/b][/quote]

When the wind blows 15-20 mph and it's below freezing, we get something called wind chill - making it much colder than the temperature.  And for young children who can't regulate their bodies as well as adults can, and who won't wear their freaking mittens, and who also have a hard time running when all bundled up, it gets really cold, really fast.  So in the afternoon we limited it to 30 minutes on that day (Tuesday)

Today (Wednesday) our kids were all outside an hour, twice a day - it was 30 or 32 or whatever, but no wind and there was also sun -it was gorgeous and everyone had fun outside!

Infants to 3 years olds have a hard time in all those clothes, being able to also climb the stairs, the ladder, using mittens to pick up the shovel, etc.  Children 3 to 5 years old have an easier time, but we still need to worry about wind chill.  We use the chart (which if you notice the fine print as done in the midwest where it's colder than here).

As the director, I find that parents here (I'm from New England, so I do know cold, and cold & snowy) just don't dress their children all that well and their kids get cold. Heck, the adults are still wearing short sleeved shirts under their winter coats and wondering why they are so cold - wear a long sleeved shirt, it's winter!  :)

Look, I'd love to go outside all day all summer, but it can get dangerous for "sensitive people" when the humidity and temperature are both high and/or when the air quality is horrible - and kids are "sensitive people" - at least children in preschools/childcare centers are, who are by definition are 5 years of age and younger.  [/quote]

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