to want DS to get outside whilst at nursery?

[iknowanoldlady]

My DS is 3 and has gone to the same nursery since he was 9 months old. He is very happy there and I am confident that he's well cared for. My one issue is that the nursery has no outdoor play area, so they are reliant on getting out for walks (plenty of countryside paths around) or playing on a large grassy (public) area at the back of the building. But this has been happening less and less, with the staff telling me it's due to them not having enough staff to take the children outside. Does anyone know the rules on this? It makes me so unhappy when I pick him at the end of glorious day and he's been stuck inside all day. He's there full time as well, so it's just adding to my already considerable guilt!

Under the terms of the EYFS they should have regukar access to outdoor play.
If it's due to not having enough staff, I'd be questioning the ratios.
Not on, and I would complain.

There's a lot to be said for having your child in a nursery that he is familiar with, and you do sound confident that he is happy and safe, but I see no harm in looking around to see whether you can find another nursery that is equally good but which also has the advantage of outside space.

I believe that best practice now is to allow the children free access to the outdoors, so that they can come and go as they please, but suspect that that level of provision might be hard to come by...but at least some time outside every day would be essential for me, and I wouldn't even consider a nursery that couldn't provide it.

YANBU. It is important to have some outside time everyday. I would say something to the nursery, and say that is not good enough. Maybe they need to employ more staff?
My 3.5yr old has free access outside in the preschool section of his private nursery. The others get taken outside in groups at allocated time slots. Maybe on rainy days they tend not to go outside (the younger ones), i'm not usre, but on other days I always see children playing outside (I work next door).

Freeflow nurseries can be a nightmare to adequately supervise. They are an option but I think if your child is getting out for a reasonable amount of time every day then that's great (ours go out for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon). I would be concerned about him not getting out at all and would definitely speak to the manager as according to the EYFS framework, they should be going out.

My Twins spend ALOt of time in their nursery garden so did me and dh when we were 4... if i had knownm i would end up marrying him i wouldn't od dhoved him out of the treehouse ;)

i can't imagine them not going outside ?

the ratios will be half due to the fact it a public area ... altho they should be looking at more staff so the children get to go out

DS's nursery told me that they HAD to take them outside every day, rain or shine! something to do with Ofstead or EYFS or something

They could take them out on a rota system if they don't have enough staff to take them all out at once, so a small morning group go then a small afternoon group go then the once that havent been out yet go after tea?

Yanbu some effort should be made to take them out, Ds nursery has a garden area but they still go on regular walks and trips out

That's odd why do they have no play area???

yanbu IT is important for them to get out and run around

They should get out every day.

Don't send your children to a nursery with no garden/outdoor area.

Best practice is to let children have access to outside all the time. (With obvious exceptions). Unfortunately, it's just not possible in some nurseries. Some settings have their gardens away from their buildings. Some have many little rooms that need supervising which leaves insufficient staff to take children outside. And some staff just can't be arsed because they're crap.

I chose my daycare because DD will have lots of outdoor day. She is busy and needs this to sleep . I would also worry a little about ratios if they are saying they can't do this.

"Don't send your children to a nursery with no garden/outdoor area."

Arse, how come I come on looking for advice and end up feeling even more guilty .

Maybe it was a mistake in hindsight, but I loved everything else about the nursery when I first went - small, with very experienced staff and a lovely atmosphere.

I feel restricted now for two reasons - one, DD will start later in year and the owner has given us a ridiculously good discount for the two of them, virtually two for one, so it would put up our childcare costs by at least £300-400 if I moved to another nursery or childminder. I know, I know, the children's wellbeing is of utmost importance, but that amount of money is a lot for us. Huge. The second reason is emotional attachment - I'm loathe to move DS when he is so content there, and don't know of any other nurseries nearby except one which I considered originally, and has a garden, but seemed entirely staffed of 17 year olds who had just left school.

Sigh....

Sorry.

The outdoor space is hugely important to me. If I can find somebody who wants to start a business with me it'll be a nursery with the garden/land planned along side the building from the start.

I won't mention my other no-nos just in case!

YANBU. You could report them politely to OFSTED so that the required measures have to be put in place.

Thanks Tiggy

I am going to write to the owner about it.

I've already spoken to the manager very casually, I ask them every bloody day about him getting out, they probably hate me for it, so I shall put my concerns in writing.

Am in Scotland, so not under Ofsted - not sure what rules apply, if any, up here... If anyone does know, that'd be much appreciated.