Nursery Don’t Let Kids Outside Because it’s Cold

[FanofLeaves]

And I think it’s ridiculous.

its not a particularly spacious place as it is (inner city) but they have climbing equipment and bikes, a sandpit etc outside. ‘garden time’ is easily my son’s favourite part of the day. He’s 4 and just missed going to school this year so he’s feeling pretty frustrated as it is but he’s been livid this week that his outdoor fun has been curtailed.

Anyway, apparently it’s been ‘too cold’ this week to be outside even in a short burst. I pointed out that my son has mittens, a thick winter coat, woolly hat, boots and an extra jumper if needed, and one of the staff said that not all of the children do so it’s ’not very fair’ to have some out but not others. In fact they seemed a bit surprised that I wanted him to be outside in ‘these low temperatures’.

AIBU to think that a) it’s the staff not wanting to go out and be cold and b) they can’t be arsed to put hats/coats/gloves on the small children that can’t do it themselves.

Because I really can’t think of a valid reason not to let children outside, I know it’s been chilly and yeah I get staying in while it was raining for a bit yesterday but apart from that, we live in the south of England- and there’s no need to keep kids cooped up inside just because it happens to be winter.

Son only attends 3 days a week but they’re full days. When he’s with me we go out to the big parks, scoot everywhere, climb trees, out on waterproofs to be out in the puddles etc. I really notice a shift in his behaviour when he’s not had fresh air and active outdoor time. I don’t drive either so sometimes we just need to get from A to B whatever the weather.

Any other nurseries have this ridiculous policy? Would you agree with it if they did?

I wouldn’t be happy at all. My 2 year son is the equivalent of a human spaniel, needs outside exercise every day or starts climbing the walls.

Yes it’s a bit of a pain getting them all dressed but they should be 100% be outside. I’d understand if it was raining and cold as it’s much harder to keep warm but dry and cold there is absolutely no reason why then can’t be outside. If anything I think the fresh air is so beneficial in the season of coughs and colds.

That’s quite odd tbh. My DC were always out at nursery in all weather. Even when it was pouring, they had a covered section with plenty of equipment and would let them out in that area. I’d query it personally.

Ridiculous.

They're supposed to have outdoor play every day unless it's unsafe extreme weather.
I'd email the manager and just ask what their policy is as your DS would prefer to be out every day.

I would hate to be a nursery worker on minimum wage expected to be out in the snow. The paths around me have been deadly today.
It’s one of the reasons a family member left the profession. She had thermals and great coat. But struggled to stay warm.

They aren’t on minimum wage because they’re a living wage company, although I fully agree their wages are low, I wish they were paid more.

There’s no snow. And I don’t think low pay entitles you to keep children cooped up when it’s in their best interest to be outside.

Anyway I have emailed the manager, I hope I get a response without chasing, we’ll see. They’re pretty rubbish with communication.

I really couldn't get fussed about my precious little one not being outside every now and again.

Unfortunately it's just one of the basics in early years. No one enjoys changing nappies either.

Another one with kids that were in nursery abroad - there were official temperatures for when they were allowed outside - something like above -15c (including windchill) and below 32c. Pretty low and high numbers anyway! The kids always seemed fine.

You did have to have proper winter gear for them though and they were always asking for donations of outgrown stuff

That sounds really poor, OP.

My two would have hated that - garden time was both of their favourite part of nursery and I looked for nurseries based on their having plenty of it. I moved dc1 half way through her nursery years to somewhere with more garden time.

Yes, some parents might complain re them going out in the cold, but it’s the right thing for them to be out. Nursery should be sending reminders to bring the right kit, and if some parents don’t then, ratios permitting, maybe those kids do end up missing out. I’m sure nursery spares exist for a few who forget.

It does sound like the staff just don’t fancy it tbh but that is really poor of them.

Sadly even though I’ve looked at moving him there really aren’t any better options nearby. The one that has a huge outdoor provision locally is a long waiting list job and would cost double what we pay now.

Have asked in email to manager if it’s to be expected going forwards that the children simply don’t go out if it’s deemed ‘too cold’ and at what specific temperature this is actioned at, since it’s only November and winter will last for months yet!

I’m definitely considering outside space and how much time they get to spend in it very carefully for reception year though.

Well she was right to leave .
Ofsted expect outdoor play unless dangerous.

It’s absolutely an Ofsted requirement for outside play.
Challenge them on it!

I'm a very outdoor person who works in a nursery. We took our babies out for a short while until they started getting red fingers. The slide was put out the way due to icy conditions at the top. We have a canopy we stay under in rain (unless very light), and only stay indoors if very windy due to the garden being next to a building with a slate roof.

It's warmer when it's colder. Why didn't we put gloves on? Because unless they're proper waterproof things they get wet and lose more heat than no gloves at all. When the temperature drops below freezing the water turns to ice and stops getting the children wet. Very cold snow will brush off you. It's the wet snow that really gets you cold.

Yeah I'd really struggle with this as well my boys absolutely have to get outside every day. I agree it sounds like the teachers just don't want to. They need to have a supply of coats for those who didn't bring one, that's what ours has.

Yanbu

We live in Canada and unless it's below minus 10, the kids are outdoors.

That's why its even more important to take children out in all weathers from a young age, so they get used to the cold and the wet and all sorts and toughen up a bit. In my country its unworkable for a child to not go outside because they don't like the cold so they all have to get used to it. And they all manage to keep gloves and hats on, even the ones with sensory issues, probably because its non-debatable - they have to have their hats and gloves on and would have got used to them since they were tiny babies.

Maybe you could contact the nursery OP and ask if they would welcome donations of warm outside gear, so that those who aren't properly dressed by their parents can still go outside. See what they say then, might give an indication as to whether its really about the children or about the staff.

They still do that in Iceland and leave babies in prams outside cafes in the snow.

This is a good idea thank you. I’ll await a response from the first email and suggest this.

The staff are generally good but certainly have been making a drama about how COLD and FREEZING it is when I’ve dropped off or picked up this week. We have a 30 min scoot/walk to nursery (although we do hop on the bus occasionally if we see it coming and it’s not busy) and a lot of fuss was made over my son’s red cheeks and the fact that he’d been out in the cold to arrive at nursery 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

My sons nursery have been out playing all week. Ds won't wear a hat or gloves but that hasn't stopped them taking him outside to play.

No my kids dont have to get used to being outside in freezing weather. Why would they? And no i wouldnt want to force my autistic child to wear clothes that make him feel sick just so I can get him accustomed to being outside in freezing cold weather. He has no plans to be a farmer or anything like that. He'd want a desk job in the warm.

Surely it’s obvious? The staff can’t be arsed to put coats hats gloves on themselves! And then get the children kitted up. They don’t see the point and don’t actually care about outside time for the children.

a tricky conversation is needed with the nursery manager. The children need to be outside!

I agree with you OP, children should be outdoors - properly dressed for the weather of course - it's so much healthier.

When I lived in Scandinavia (well above the arctic circle) even kindergarten children (3 and 4 year olds included) were out and about. They had snow suits, boots, hats and mittens and were out in the snow....it wasn't considered a problem unless the temperature dropped below -25 degrees. Babies slept outside in prams too, very much wrapped up and warm but outside.

The whole population grew up to be very much more 'outdoorsy' and definitely healthier. There was no such thing as the "winter cold" and adults/children didn't have endless coughs and colds during the colder months. The idea of a 'rainy playtime' indoors didn't exist either - they'd have laughed at this.

So much better in my opinion!

And when they are ay secondary school? Not going to need to be outside then. Even if mummy drops them off at the gate in the range Rover they will still be sent into the playground there

What when they are an adult? Surely they can't just sit indoors Heaven forbid they have a job that involves working outside, precious little lambs won't know what hit them. Even if he gets a cushty little desk job he'd have to get to work and back.