Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

nursery - children outside all day in the snow

352 replies

jlm122 · 08/02/2021 14:15

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Santastealer · 08/02/2021 17:13

The nursery my children go to isn’t like this. They have played outside in the snow today and my 4 year olds key worker said she was really impressed that they lasted 45 minutes before they came back in!

I wouldn’t be happy at all with an outside all day nursery. I want my children to have choice and variety. Plenty of outdoor play, but also time inside to play in the warmth without worrying about hats and gloves!

Frogartist · 08/02/2021 17:14

@00100001

And their risk assessment needs updating. It's -3, with a wind hill making it -7!!! Too cold to be outside for any length of time.
No, people in colder countries than the UK are outdoors all day at much lower temperatures than -7, but they wear appropriate clothes/footwear.
GintyMcGinty · 08/02/2021 17:15

As long as they are dressed properly I don't see what the problem is.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery Families
minniemango · 08/02/2021 17:16

@GintyMcGinty

As long as they are dressed properly I don't see what the problem is.
Didn’t you read the OP even? The problem is a 3 year old in wet clothes and no gloves.
BorisandHarriet · 08/02/2021 17:21

I work in a nursery. I would cry being outside all day. Yes you can wrap up warm but even with very good gloves my hands go numb. When a child wets themselves or worse inside four layers of clothing it really is a very time consuming operation getting them clean and dry again.

00100001 · 08/02/2021 17:22

@Frogartist

But their RA was done in the summer. Hopefully they've updated it to include things like " make sure kids are suitably clothed"/"make sure they aren't feeling cold" and the mitigation measures needed.... Or put more layers on, take them.indoors etc.

They have to plan for kids turning up in unsuitable clothing.

What would they do if a 3 to turned up in a t-shirt and jeans and a jumper for the day and they couldn't get hold of the parents for an hour or so?

AtleastitsnotMonday · 08/02/2021 17:23

You need to raise this. I would also be tempted to take your dd’s temp on collection.

Frogartist · 08/02/2021 17:36

[quote 00100001]@Frogartist

But their RA was done in the summer. Hopefully they've updated it to include things like " make sure kids are suitably clothed"/"make sure they aren't feeling cold" and the mitigation measures needed.... Or put more layers on, take them.indoors etc.

They have to plan for kids turning up in unsuitable clothing.

What would they do if a 3 to turned up in a t-shirt and jeans and a jumper for the day and they couldn't get hold of the parents for an hour or so?[/quote]
That's a different matter. Iwas really just making the point that it is not too cold to be outside all day as long as you are properly dressed, and the children need to keep active to stay warm.

I agree that the RA needs to take the weather into account, parents need to be informed and in some cases the nursery might have to provide the appropriate clothing.

Fuckadoodledoooo · 08/02/2021 17:43

Sounds miserable for the children and the staff.

Maryberryscake · 08/02/2021 17:43

Even when I’m wrapped head to toe in thermals and the right snow gear - my face really suffers in freezing weather, that’s only a couple hours in it. I couldn’t imagine a kid in it all day. You can’t cover their faces

JayAlfredPrufrock · 08/02/2021 17:45

Colder countries than the UK probably have more appropriate clothing.

dandelionbayts · 08/02/2021 17:49

I would at least complain. If staff are fed up and cold too that doesn't make for a great environment for the kids.

I once worked in a job where I was very cold all day and used to wear thermals under a jumper and fleece leggings, I was still too cold and it was really miserable.

OverTheRainbow88 · 08/02/2021 17:51

I’m an outdoors person and think that is ridiculous.

Potential outside 10 hours a day in the snow!!!

MessAllOver · 08/02/2021 17:51

My DS's nursery is mostly outdoors at the moment to manage the Covid risk. They're very keen to minimise the transmission risk and manage the risks to their staff.

Today they were closed for the first time this winter. The very experienced staff felt the cold and wind chill was just too much for little children to cope with. I can't believe your nursery left your LO out all day... my DS and I managed a one hour walk and that was all... our toes and hands were frozen!

InTheFamilyTree · 08/02/2021 17:53

This is a safeguarding issue. If they refuse to review the situation you could report to Ofsted.

Original poster
jlm122 · 08/02/2021 17:58

I've spoken to one of my friends that worked at a nursery and she's said that keeping the kids outside could be making things easier for the staff as they aren't having to clean all of the toys every day, not sure if there's any truth in that though. I'm going to speak to the manager tomorrow although i'm pretty certain she'll just direct me to the parental agreement i signed.. in July.

The nursery used to be brilliant but i've noticed it's been declining recently, they've not long moved to a much smaller setting because of low numbers.

OP posts:
Original poster
jlm122 · 08/02/2021 18:00

I definitely will consider reporting to ofsted if my concerns don't get addressed

OP posts:
Lulu1919 · 08/02/2021 18:02

Cold weather is fine but not - degrees unless the child has proper cold weather wear...thermals...thermal socks and lined boots ..plus when wet given dry clothes !

mouldyhouse101 · 08/02/2021 18:03

Fantastic the amount of people on here scared of a bit of rain and snow!

OverTheRainbow88 · 08/02/2021 18:07

@mouldyhouse101

Oh please. There’s a difference between going outside in the mud, snow or rain for a couple of hours a day or being outside in in for 10 hours a day potentially 5 days a week.

And some kids aren’t old enough to complain for themself

mouldyhouse101 · 08/02/2021 18:08

[quote OverTheRainbow88]@mouldyhouse101

Oh please. There’s a difference between going outside in the mud, snow or rain for a couple of hours a day or being outside in in for 10 hours a day potentially 5 days a week.

And some kids aren’t old enough to complain for themself[/quote]
My child is on a nursery that is outside from 8:30-4:30 every day. No inside.
He is 2.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 08/02/2021 18:09

How does he go to the loo? And eat?

OverTheRainbow88 · 08/02/2021 18:10

@mouldyhouse101

Well mine go from 7.15-6pm so that would be even longer. No thanks

PatchworkElmer · 08/02/2021 18:10

I’m sure that someone will jump on me and call me a ‘special snowflake’ (lol) think it’s a bit cruel to keep young kids outside all day in this weather. We have thick snow here- we’re a very active family and spend a large proportion of each day outside in all weathers. DS and I played in the snow this morning for 2 hours, then came in (to a warm house!) to change clothes, have lunch, cuddle on the sofa with a film. Then out again to play in the woods for 3 hours this afternoon. He was grumpy and cold by the end of the afternoon and we’re now snuggling on the sofa again.

His pre-school have a free flow system for most of the day, but after dinner time the children are kept in during winter. They have all meals in the heated building. I’d say that 40% of his day there is spent outside.

How long is your DD in pre-school for each day? My DS goes 8-6 and there is no way I would be happy with him being outside in the snow for all that time.

mouldyhouse101 · 08/02/2021 18:11

@JayAlfredPrufrock

How does he go to the loo? And eat?
He is still in nappies. They a have a toilet in an outbuilding for changing. They cook lunch on a campfire
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread