To ask my children's pre-school not to let them play outside

[AitchDee]

My twins attend a local preschool for three mornings a week. Since they started I have had issues with them arriving home at lunch time with soaking wet sleeves and trousers where they have done outside water play, and hands that are red raw from being cold and wet.

On Thursday upon dropping them off, we were told not to take coats/hats/gloves off as they were going o play in the school field next door. I raised my eyebrows at the time as it really was a very cold, frosty morning.

A hour later I got a phone call to say my twins needed collecting as one was very poorly and falling asleep/eyes rolling in his head, and the other 'had come out in sympathy' and was crying hysterically.

I collected them and brought them home, but I think they we're just utterly freezing. They were absolutely fine the rest of the day. All the other children were playing happily back in the warm so it was only mine.

I'm not sure if I am just being precious. They do love playing outside, even in freezing cold water and wet sand, no matter the weather, but I think their bodies use find it a bit much. They were born very early, and only weighed 1lb 3oz at birth but to look at them now they have caught up.

Would I look a twat asking preschool to keep them indoors until spring? Maybe my twins just need a bit of toughening up? They will be three in January if that makes a difference.

YABU - kids need fresh air even in winter!

Yes I think you would tbh.

Don´t they have waterproofs at all??

We had to supply trousers/jacket & wellies which stayed at kindergarten when ours were there.

The only issue I would have is with the outdoor water play while it's so cold. Other than that I would make sure they have their hat/scarf/gloves/jumpers and a warm coat to hand and let them get on with it!

Yabu sorry! If you get them proper over trouser waterproofs and willies they'll be fine. You can also get those hand warmers that you snap and heat up.

Perhaps invest in thermal gloves and ski year type stuff? Keeping them indoors till spring is not really an option.

Wellies. They need wellies.

send waterproofs and spare clothes. tell nursery staff to change them as necessary.

children love being outside and it's pretty important tbh.

you're being precious.

Get a grip! Let the pre-school do things the way they want to and your PDCs will have a lovely time.

www.teachingexpertise.com/e-bulletins/early-years-outdoor-play-autumn-and-winter-7472

I was looking for the EYFS guideline on outdoor winter play and found this, it may be interesting for you to read?

Waterproofs, wellies, warm coats. You need to make sure they are dressed appropriately. Children should play outside in all weathers - they just need appropriate clothes.

@ procrastinator

Tricky one! Fresh air is good, and clearly the other children are enjoying it. Could you dress them differently? Would the preschool be willing to put them into all-over waterproofs for outdoor play? Channelling my dear departed gran, I'd also advise that you check that they're wearing enough layers and that there isn't a chilly gap round their waists - a vest and a pair of tights under trousers or dungarees is really helpful in keeping active children warm.

Its not the outdoor play that is the problem- they need plenty of fresh air each day imo. But I wouldnt be happy about the water play. Not when its so cold out and most children would chuck water over themselves and get cold. Theres loads of other stuff they could do outside without soaking themselves.

The trouble is that if your two are kept inside both they and the others may miss out as often staffing can be everyone in or everyone out. I think it would be reasonable to ask that they are able to come in as soon as they want to and for them to be dressed warmly in the clothes that you provide.

Get them snow suits and winter boots. Outdoor play doesn't stop for winter in colder countries than ours!

Yanbu about them being wet through as to then have to sit in wet clothes is awful for anybody. As for the cold I would just send them with another jacket under the coat and make sure they are wrapped up well, tights or leggings under trousers as well?

As long as you are providing them with a proper level of clothing then I think you should raise the issue of them getting cold easily and ask if they could be carefully supervised outside and taken in if they are getting too cold. I don't think that they should be getting soaking with outside water play at this time of year. At any time of year DD is changed at nursery if she gets soaked, not left to come home like that. Her (very good IMO) nursery takes the children out all through the year but will do it for short bursts if it is really cold so that the children get out but don't freeze. I would be furious if I had to leave work to get DD because they had let her get too cold. But I would also be disappointed if they said it was too cold to go out on a dry day.

I don't think you would be unreasonable to ask they didn't do outside water play when it is cold. Cold dry weather, and being wrapped up and playing outside is great, but not if you're soaked to the skin. I know if I peg out my washing on a frosty but sunny day my hand are freezing when I get back inside.

Just send them with waterproofs and spare clothes. They love playing out even with water when its cold.

We oftrn freeze water in various tubs for ours to play with outside when its cold.

I saw a link.the othet day, put water with food colouring in a balloon, either freeze it in your freezer or outside overnight if its cold enough. Wjen frozen snip tje balloon and peel it off and you get what looks like a giant marble!! Very pretty and fun for the kids.

I agree about the water part. My DC's are real outdoorsy kids but kids aren't always sensible so the no-brainer adult thing to do in minus temperatures is to at least keep them dry IMO! Don't think that's being precious.

So they never go to the park in the winter?
The only thing that seems wrong is the water play and they don't have a change of clothing.

Are the clothes you have actually warm enough? We are in Scotland and is is essential to have various layers on as just a coat / gloves / hat are not really enough. Also the kind of wooly gloves they sell for kids are often inadequate and ski gloves are better. Wellies are good but you need thick socks inside them to avoid cold feet.

So I'd get all the gear and explain to the nursery the twins get cold easily and make sure they are wearing it all. I'd also mention about the prematurity as that may be a factor as to why they get cold.

It is a requirement of the EYFS that children are offered the opportunity to play outdoors, even in cold weather. However, this does not mean they should all be forced to play outdoors - children who really don't want to go outside can be allowed to stay indoors instead. If you dress your children warmly (gloves, hats, waterproofs, dungarees), they may choose to play outdoors quite happily.

You have a good point about the water play. That is just plain silly (and cruel) in cold weather.

Yabu not to provide appropriate clothing for your children! Are they supposed to stay inside until April? [Confused]

This is what many of the children were in our nursery. 1 piece is easier for staff to take on and off. The Swedish and Norwegian children are always dressed in the best outdoor clothes, follow their example. Think about what clothes your children wear inside too, ones easiest to get on and off still!
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001NYNDQU/ref=asc_df_B001NYNDQU10827282/?tag=googlecouk06-21&creative=22134&creativeASIN=B001NYNDQU&linkCode=asn