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.

[dikkertjedap]

Ofsted seems to like it a lot if kids spend a lot of time outside whatever the weather. I worked on a number of schools. The schools which were given an 'outstanding' by Ofsted were the schools with 50% play and learning outside. Ofsted specifically commented on this in their assessments.

Lots of staff were not that happy having to teach numeracy and literacy outside, but were forced by management to do so. Kids literally sat in the pouring rain with their whiteboards trying to do their sums. Not fun, I can tell you.

[dikkertjedap]

Sorry, typo, should say 'in a number of schools' of course, not 'on'.

[exoticfruits]

There is no such thing as inappropriate weather(or not in UK) - just inadequate clothing. It is good to get out all weathers.

[Sirzy]

I had kids crying and begging to be allowed to go in. It was not allowed.

Don't try to blame the EYFS for terrible practise within the establishment you worked it.

It doesn't say children should be forced to play outside against their will, it says children should have opportunities to play outside daily. There is a big difference.

[Dead69Girl]

Yabu

kids need air, fresh crisp air.

get them some warm outdoor clothes.

[baublesandbaileys]

"Proper outdoor clothing is very expensive, especially for kids" have you actually looked at the prices on the ALDI link? the stuff is very good.

outdoor gear is like shoes, its just something you do

[piglettsmummy]

YANBU!!! I would be just the same! My dd starts school in September . After a certain time during winter I will request she stays in until the weather wants back up a bit. She does have complex medical needs but that isn't the point I would
Still be requesting it even if she was completely healthy

[forevergreek]

Piglettsmumny- I think unless your child has a one to one work for special needs reasons then this may be hard if there is one tracer, and poss one assistant to look after 25 children, who do you expect to stay inside with your daughter? If one goes out they all do for this reason. Just buy some warm thermals for under clothing for her and a warm hat/ coat. You can ask people to get for Xmas/ birthdays over the next year if too expensive

Thermals for kids are £3.99 at uniquo btw ATM if anyone lives near one

[Sirzy]

Why would you want a completly healthy child kept inside all the time just because is winter? Seriously?

DS has very bad asthma but I would never dream of keeping him inside over winter because of it, that would do him no good at all.

Children NEED fresh air. Not just when the weather is good but all year round

[baublesandbaileys]

FGS it takes DS 20/30 mins to walk to school every day and we don't keep him home in winter just because it's not balmy enough out for the walk, when he does outside play he belts around the place as opposed to dragging his heels on the walk there/back so I imagine he's much warmer during daily outside play than he is during the daily walk there and back

[piglettsmummy]

So everyone on this post sends there child out every single day of the year??? U doubt it! And I didn't mean all winter! I said a certain point!! All problems aside my dd asks to
Go home often because she is cold despite many layers on! I have worked in nurserys and in my experience children are else than enthusiastic to go out when it's cold!! There not going to suffer by not going out for playtime!! They will still get fresh air!

[baublesandbaileys]

BTW if in a non uniform preschool, m&s do great fleece lined jeans which I find last 2 years because of the elastic waste (rolled up first year)

[Sirzy]

Yes, DS goes out every day - why wouldn't you?

Children don't care what the weather is like they WANT to play outside. Its up to parents to (try to) ensure they are dressed appropriately for the weather.

[baublesandbaileys]

"So everyone on this post sends there child out every single day of the year??? U doubt it! "

err yes! how often do you think you can ring the school to say "sorry not taking them in today because it's raining so we can't leave the house!"?

[baublesandbaileys]

I also go to work even in winter! I cannot imagine what would happen if I rang in with "too cold to walk to bus stop, sorry!"

[forevergreek]

Yes we do, we go out every day ( unless someone has vomiting bug or something).

[Fairyegg]

pigglettsmummy unless your dd has 1:1 you have no chance, i just can't understand why you think it would be a good idea? I brought the snow boots and gloves from Aldi today, there great. Just wrap them up and proved a spare change of clothes incase needed - simples!

[piglettsmummy]

I dont no who would stay in with her, I haven't been put in that situation yet but lets say I request her to be kept in due to rr medical problems? If she doesn't qualify for one to one care does that mean they shud ignore my request? Nope? I'm
Just saying If a parent sees fit to request their child to be kept in then they shud be allowed to have that choice

[baublesandbaileys]

or if I ever rang work saying "sorry can't take DC on the 20 min walk up to nursery so won't be in today, gotta huddle indoors with them! it looks like rain and he might melt on the way!"

[Fairyegg]

And yes, of course we go out everyday in the right clothing. I don't think either of mine have complained of the wet / cold ever.

[Sirzy]

Asking for her to stay in when she is ill is one thing, but why would you ask her to stay in if she is in what is her normal condition? What will be gained?

[piglettsmummy]

The school dd is going to has more than one teacher in the nursery! What f a child threw up while playing outside? They couldn't just stay outside?

[Fairyegg]

Your child will not be allowed to stay inside when others are outside unless allocated a 1:1 support, which she isn't. It's hardy fair on the other kids to be kept inside just or the sake of one child (mum) is it? If the medicial problems are that severe then you should be getting 1:1 support?

[baublesandbaileys]

piglet in nursery they need more than one teacher for a crowd of kids, they can't let one go in with one child because then the ratio for the outside group will be off. They will have enough to take kids into the loo etc but they don't tend to have lots of spares

do people really stay housebounds for days on end during a run of bad weather? bonkers!

[piglettsmummy]

We haven't been assessed yet! So we don't no but ie heard change in the criteria might mean we don't even et 1:1 for her! I would never assume that any child shud
Suffer because of another hut I have never heard Of only one teacher in a nursery! if OP wast happy like she stated then they should accommodate! My daughters condition is serious yes but I don't want to go into details. She suffered very badly this summer and had countless admissions to hospital! Does that account for serious enough?