to think that an 8yo can decide if she needs a coat at playtime?

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

DD3 came home upset yesterday as she was told off for not wearing a coat for playtime.

I believe that, at a lot younger than 8, a DC can make their own decisions about comfort levels. It is absolutely nothing to do with the TAs what the children are wearing, as long as they are complying with the uniform rules.

DD2 also mentioned that the same TA challenged her about not wearing a coat, and offered to check whether DD2 was telling the truth when she said she hadn't brought one to school.

She won't allow them to remove their coats if they're boiling because of playing football either.

Surely, rather than nagging them to wear a coat, it would make less hassle for the TA to let them be independent and choose their own attire? The DC could always nip to the cloakroom if they have made the wrong decision.

I do lunchtime supervision in KS2 mostly and the LSA who does KS1 makes them wear their coats all the time. Sometimes they are sweating and crying about how hot they are. When I do KS1 I don't but I do keep an eye on them in case they go blue. I have noticed that if they get cold, they put their coats on. If they are too warm, they take them off again. I only make them put coats on if it is raining (obviously we stay inside in heavy rain but I generally think a bit of fresh air in the drizzle is better than inside all day).

I actually think that it is a good way for them to learn to take a bit of responsibility for themselves.

By the way, we're not being mean if we don't let them go in and out for coats etc. It's not always practical and to be honest, you wouldn't believe what your little darlings get up to in the cloakroom!

Another thing - DD is often wrapped up to the eyebrows and DS1 is firmly in the 'run round in shorts in the snow' camp. I hate being too hot or too cold so am inclined to let them decide.

they feel cold, and then they get sick. then, because they still dont bother to dress warmly, they get sicker, taking further time off school etc

As a mother its my job to protect my child, and if that means insisting she/he wears a coat, then so be it. I would also like the school to help me in this. Its not good putting security in place for the almost non existent threat of a paedophile walking in, whilst allowing the kids to be exposed to the elements.

For the mother who was complaining about her child in pe uniform running around the week after school being closed, did you not think to put them in underarmour? its a long sleeved almost skin tight layer to be worn underneath sports kit. Look at any sports celeb and you will see them wearing it. It keeps the kids warm. I would shudder in horror at a parent not dressing their child appriately.

My 12 year old came back from school once, in 1 degree weather, with no coat and no jumper, just his school blazer. His teeth were chattering and he was blue with cold, yet still insistent that he wasnt cold. Should i believe that he is capable of looking after himself?

I see university students wearing t shirts in 5 degrees and then miss out on classes a week later because they have pneumonia or glandular fever or some other usually self diagnosed illness which basically amounts to having a cold and not taking care of themselves.

I see girls dressed in handkercheifs in subzero temperatures on nights out.. . all i can say is, thank god they are not my responsibility when they feel the aftereffects of their choices.

so forgive me, but, I am very pleased that the dinner ladies and TA's are insisting that these 8 year olds wear a coat when they go out to play.

I would agree with you OP that most children should be able to decide for themselves. However, in my extensive experience of playground duty, there are a lot of children who don't seem to have any common sense. I'm not talking about days when some people will be feeling warm and others cold, I'm talking about children who will go out without a sweatshirt in the winter when the temperature is just above freezing- and not even run around. And we have many children who given the chance will keep their jumpers on when it's 30 degrees and they are playing football. You see them with sweat pouring down their faces.

So I do think that sometimes teachers and TAs need to step in. Doesn't sound like it was necessary in the situation in the OP though.