nursery - children outside all day in the snow

[jlm122]

I just wondered if any other nurseries are doing this.

Children playing outside all day, on warmer days not a problem but today it's snowed all day, i collected DD and she didn't have her gloves on, her hands were freezing she could barely move them, got her home and got her wetsuit off and her sleeves were wet and cold i'm assuming from hand washing. Feet were freezing, the nursery put a statement out a few weeks ago asking parents not to ask staff to take the children inside as they can't due to COVID.

I don't feel this is right but on the other hand i'm a key worker so need to send her, she's settled and will be starting school in September so i'm not sure if moving her to a different nursery would be the best thing for her.

Still no reply from the nursery, I've rang another local nursery and booked a viewing for thursday, they guessed exactly which nursery i was moving her from and said they've had 3 children come from there recently for the exact same reason

I hope you have reported them to ofsted.

The email telling parents not to bother complaining was so toe-curlingly rude and aggressive, it would make me very dubious about their ethos.

I agree with the pp who said this is about being too lazy/cheap to bother with the cleaning regime that comes from having the children inside.

I'd not wait for a reply, just move her. If they carry on like this they will go out of business, and good riddance.

This is a disgrace.

Even in summer it's not acceptable IMO, they can get burnt on very hot days or dehydrated from being too hot etc. There needs to be balance. Not just outside all day.

They need to be reported.

That's terrible OP and I would 100% be removing my child from that setting. It has been bitterly cold recently. I feel so sorry for the staff and children.

@jlm122

Still no reply from the nursery, I've rang another local nursery and booked a viewing for thursday, they guessed exactly which nursery i was moving her from and said they've had 3 children come from there recently for the exact same reason

Fingers crossed they have space and are able to take your daughter. I doubt she'll be the last one to make the move. Hopefully the current nursery will get in touch. I'd love to see their response as to why they're not adapting their provision, especially given their own message about opening more indoor spaces when the weather turns colder.

Fully waterproof gloves can be completely dipped into water without leaking. There are a lot of 'water resistant' gloves, including a lot marketed as ski wear, which are only suitable for use in dry snow (I suppose most skiing is in dry snow) or moderate rain and are not really designed for properly playing in puddles or wet snow. Unless the water came in the cuffs, which can happen but that's why you ideally need ones with extra long cuffs.

But yes, this is academic as I totally agree with you that even excellent gloves have a time limit for how long they will keep fingers really warm, even if they keep you dry, especially when there is any wind or moisture in the air. I also agree with you that little children should not be out in freezing wind for hours and hours on end. They will get chilled extremities eventually, even if dressed very well. Which the OP's child wasn't because the nursery staff allowed the child to walk around with wet sleeves and not even wearing her gloves! Which is actually disgraceful. I'd be really annoyed if I went to pick up my kids and they weren't dressed properly and were very cold as a result.

I walked my dog for an hour today. Enjoyed the I hour but I was more than ready to be indoors after I hour. Why should little children be expected to cope all day with weather conditions adults can't cope with? Yes they need fresh air and exercise ...but with the weather conditions taken into consideration. I think this is more for the nursery and staff's convenience than the children's. For goodness sake get them inside and play with them in ways appropriate to the weather.

@PuffinShop

They are ski gloves and they didn't leak. Water got into his cuff, maybe if he was wearing cuffs up to his elbow he would have been ok 😆😆😆

I looked at the link but unfortunately they were out of stock for his age.

That's the thing it's hard to get appropriate gloves in this weather.

Again we digress 😆

@shiningstar2

I did the same today and my ears actually hurt. It was freeeeezing. I wasn't out quite an hour though. So glad to get home in the warmth and have a hot drink!

ScepticalBandicoot They usually wear just one mid layer (wool trousers and wool jumper), with a merino base layer under their indoor clothes on the very coldest days. Properly padded snowsuit - these are also waterproof. Those thin shell suits would only really be OK for spring/autumn. Balaclava-style hats, which are way warmer than ordinary beanie hats because they cover the whole neck so no chilly draughts.

They do lose dexterity with mittens, especially so young as yours, but mine have never had a problem holding buckets, spades, sticks etc. Maybe the mittens you have are a bit too big for him? You could also try putting thin wool mittens underneath - we never get the padded rain gloves, just put the ordinary ones over other mittens and I think the extra friction keeps their thumbs in place better!

Got my reply, not too sure what to make of it, seems she believes that every other nursery in the country are wrong for letting the children inside and she's right.

Just no.
Does anyone else have trouble getting their head around a nursery child having to wear a wetsuit all day?
How do they go to the loo if they’re not allowed inside?

That reply is a heap of tosh and doesn't address your concerns about DD not being changed out of wet clothes, which I assume you mentioned. It's pure defensiveness. And when dealing with someone like that, they don't see reason, so walk away.

I'd get your DD moved ASAP and I'd report your concerns.

That reply is shocking. The scare tactics regarding ICU, and families grieving due to parents of young children dying is disgusting.

I work with 4 different nurseries. All of them are doing a mix of inside and outside opportunities.

None of them are insisting on outside only.

Can't understand why people would choose to send there kids to a nursery in normal times that is outside all day , all weathers , 6-8 hrs of being out in the cold , no matter how well wrapped up is tough

Also this part, they can't change it unless they can develop better management strategies, so my child will suffer because of their crap management?

Also whats the purpose of all day outside 8 hrs a day 5 days a week?
In normal times especially whats wrong with playing indoors as well?

And that is a crap reply

That reply completely glosses over the health risks to your DD of being outside in freezing cold temperatures wearing inadequate, wet clothing.

I haven't heard of any nurseries around here (outdoor or indoor) who had the children outside on Monday. The general consensus was that the severe wind chill made it both unpleasant and unsafe even for those settings used to having the children outside for most of the day. There is a world of difference between your usual chilly blustery English winter weather and the cold snap we are having at the moment.

Covid is not the only thing causing illness and death.

It's serious. I get that. I'm not a covid denier. But it's not the only thing to consider.

Freezing cold children in wet clothes being forced to remain outside all day is disgraceful, not acceptable and in itself is a risk to their health.

Their reply is a load of shit. They are basically saying they can't be arsed to put a better system in place to ensure safety indoors.

I've never heard of nurseries spending the entire day outside. That's insane.

That reply is awful. I liked 'I work with my staff daily', confirming that no, the manager is not herself outside all day like she is expecting from the staff and children! The tone and approach of that email are awful. If you don't think you can safely open then you can't open, the solution isn't to be open but in a totally unsuitable way.

I hope the other nursery has space - if it does and it seems ok at the look around I'd give notice immediately; if not I'd be lining up other options with the aim of moving her asap.

The email just isn't good enough.

Could you call Ofsted and voice your concerns. I know this can be done as I've done it before. They will do a spot check (I know that's not the professional term).

I would also see what other mums are thinking. Perhaps they are thinking the same as you and are stuck at what to do.

My nursery also says they will play outside as often as possible... which means freely inside and outside with active encouragement to be outside when it's nice weather. Not forcing them to freeze the entire opening time with no other option. I think your nursery have massively over done it.

I really have an issue with her tone of her emails as-well.

I'm so pleased you're looking elsewhere.