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.

@mouldyhouse101 thanks for explaining what waterproofs are 🙄

I have two children and have had plenty of wet and muddy walks with them over the years (in waterproofs - shock horror) but I don't know anyone; never mind tiny children, who enjoy spending ALL DAY in the wet cold rain.

I used to work outdoors; in all weather, all year around; and the days where it tipped down all day were bloody miserable. I wouldn't choose that for my children if I had other options.

No one is saying they are scared of a bit of rain and snow 🤣 you're a bit ridiculous for suggesting it.

@lobsteroll

And people are ridiculous for suggesting on here that a child can't possibly enjoy being outside all day

@mouldyhouse101

All kids are different.

My eldest would probably enjoy it, but his nursery is free flow so the choice is there.

My youngest hates being cold and chooses to be inside most the day at nursery

We don’t have the weather for kids to all have ski outfits and proper fur lined waterproof boots. It be two pairs of socks and wellies poor things.

Absolutely ridiculous. Ask them for a risk assessment if they're outside all day. What if they get hypothermia?

My DS is in nursery and they are mainly inside. Yes they go out for their forest school lesson and playtime but it's never all day.

I'd check whether that is even allowed.

This is absurd. The way in which that notice is written is also extremely unprofessional. I can’t believe you or anyone else is sending their poor child there. My nursery absolutely does not do anything like this

@mouldyhouse101

My kids would happily spend all day outside on a dry day. Probably not in the pouring rain, or snow. And I doubt they are in the minority.

What you or I think is actually beside the point. The OP's child came home wet, despite being sent in with the appropriate clothing. It's unacceptable on a day like today where it has barely got higher than 0 degrees in most parts of the country.

This is actually completely ridiculous! Those poor staff and children must be freezing! I bet the managers happily sitting in the office in the warmth all day as well whilst everyone else freezes! I would 100% report to ofsted. Im sure the only guidance for early years is to have a window open to allow fresh air to circulate not to be outside all day in the freezing cold.

They are barking. As an adult I would struggle to be out all day in a weather like today’s. They are being irresponsible and I would argue health and safety of the children are being compromised.

My fingers felt like they were about to fall off during a walk yesterday. I was fully dressed and looked like I was going on a Nordic expedition. Report this nursery ASAP.

Your poor dd. My home heating fuel landed this afternoon and the driver had a slight issue with where it was to go. I had to go outside and show me where. I was outside for all of five minutes without gloves and my hands were like blocks of ice. I stuck them under the hot water tap to warm them up. And where I am it is not as cold as nearly all the Uk today per weather forcast

I think this is insane! I work in a preschool and we have the children inside. Staff and children would be utterly miserable being outside all day in below freezing temps. Some of the children don't really like playing outside at all and choose to stay in a lot. They would hate being forced to stay outside all day. Personally I like being out and think it's good for the children to get outside for a while each day but all day long...no.

@mouldyhouse101

Are you in the UK?

[quote JayAlfredPrufrock]@mouldyhouse101

Are you in the UK?[/quote]
Yes

@jlm122

This is the statement that was posted on the app

Wow, can't quite believe that! I think I'd be looking to move if possible for you.

[quote mouldyhouse101]@lobsteroll

And people are ridiculous for suggesting on here that a child can't possibly enjoy being outside all day [/quote]
Not in extreme temperatures like today. Its biting cold today

So if it’s pissing down all day, small children are outside all day. Taken into a toilet, wet clothes removed to change nappy, wry clothes back on and back out into the rain.

Sit in rain to eat food cooked on campfire. Wet gloves on or off?

@JayAlfredPrufrock

So if it’s pissing down all day, small children are outside all day. Taken into a toilet, wet clothes removed to change nappy, wry clothes back on and back out into the rain.

Sit in rain to eat food cooked on campfire. Wet gloves on or off?

Their clothes aren't wet and don't get wet. They are in head to toe waterproofs that go over the top of their boots with a balaclava and hat. This is on top of thermals and another fleecy layer

No, I wouldn’t like that at all.

@Frogartist I grew up in a quintessentially cold country and it would have been horrible to be outside like that all day at that age. Even when skiing all day at 2 and 3, we probably had half the day inside to warm up, pee, get dry and return etc. Even in relatively mild -7, no way would they have let us out without gloves on at 2 or 3! Being outside "all day" at that age would usually mean 2 hours out, 2 hours in, 2 hours out. This thread makes me worry that maybe people in the U.K. are excusing dangerous behaviour as scandi...

My ds nursery is 75-95% of the day outside including in the snow in Scotland. We send him in with spare warm stuff especially gloves but also the nursery has very good warm gear and spares and keeps an eye out on children. They eat outside but there are wired patio heaters so there is a space they can warm up and do other activities too.
He has never come home in wet clothes though. He loves it even when it's freezing and I trust the nursery.
They are so active outside that he doesn't really get cold as he's running around. I do use a winter moisturiser on his face to help protect it.

I get that it isn't for all parents but it also massively reduces the risk of covid and I prefer that he spends it outside with lots of layers on then risks covid.
If it was me I would raise concerns that she had wet clothes under her warm gear and ask how often they are checking.

I wouldn't be ok with this.

OP, I think your nursery sounds loopy.

My kid is at a forest school nursery and they are out much of the day in all weathers. They have shelters outside (open sided yurts) and campfires when it’s not too wet.
They wear lots of layers, plus waterproofs, and they taken in if it’s really rotten weather, but cold and slight snow showers (like today) wouldn’t warrant it.

Even so- I think today they were out maybe half the day, judging by his diary? On dry/slightly warmer days, they might go out at 9am and go back in at 3pm. In summer it’s 100% outside.

He seems to like it! Certainly haven’t had any complaints (and he WOULD complain) - but I’m not sure a blanket “don’t ask to go in, they can’t” is right.

Our nursery operates as it did previously, with kids indoors much of the day and outside for short periods. I'm very happy with the care, though I suppose I would rather they were outside a bit more. At the weekend we spend about 3- 4 hours outdoors at a time, which the 4 year old tolerates very well while the 2 year old usually gets a bit fed up and needs to be wrapped up in my coat and fed something delicious to distract her. I think your nursery has taken an extreme position, even if you live in an area of high infection, and certainly if her hands and feet were that cold then they are not being vigilant enough.

I’m a great believer in outside as much as possible but in the UK we can have four seasons in one morning.

Choice!