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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think it's ridiculous that the new nursery curriclum says kids must

138 replies

furrycat · 04/09/2008 08:57

...play outside whatever the weather?

I don't go out when it's chucking it down, so why should my kids?

My two ds play outside in tne nursery's garden twice a day. It's a mudbath so they need TWO changes of clothing a day which means the washing machine is on constantly.

I've also searched high and low for wellies but all the shops are still full of back to school shoes and the only ones I can find are £17.

OP posts:
sitdownpleasegeorge · 04/09/2008 12:16

Children seem to like going outside even if in wellies/waterproofs whe its raining. Puddle jumping can take place when it is actually raining and getting a bit colder outside is a good reason to have a lovely mug of hot chocolate and cuddle up with a story when you come back in.

We have coats/boots to allow us to go outside in cold weather and children are no different they perhaps need a bit more play and less errands/shopping but the principle is the same.

They have rainproof ponchos at ds's school so that the children without a waterproof coat can still play with their friends who do have one and they do play in light rain/drizzle but they do not go out in full on downpours.

bundle · 04/09/2008 12:18

oh and get the nursery to look at astroturf instead of the mudbath - ours did and got extra funding from one-off grants. it's marvellous, they bounce if they fall, and no more dustbowl in summer.

tiktok · 04/09/2008 12:19

Fimbo - woof woof (moi - dog with a bone - eh? )

This is a talk board. People challenge others to back up their statements. Your experience may tell you that you get colds as a result of being outside in cold, wet weather. And on this basis - your own personal experience of your own personal body - you say it is 'madness' to have outside play in all weathers as part of the EY curriculum, and you cite the case of a child whose hands were cold and she was distressed (you brought her inside, naturally enough, and prob asked her mum to supply adequate gloves for the future).

None of this adds up to 'madness', though, surely

Shoegazer · 04/09/2008 12:21

Very happy for DD to go out in all weathers providing she is dressed according to weather and common sense is used about how long they stay outside. We often go out in the rain to puddle jump, the more rain, the better the puddles!

stripeymama · 04/09/2008 12:33

Completely agree that children should play outside in all weathers. They just need to be dressed appropriately - something that doesn't always happen here.

In cold weather, dd will wear tights under trousers (and socks over the tights), a vest, polo neck, warm jumper, and winter coat/hat/mittens/scarf. If raining/snowing, she will wear full waterproofs as well.

I have seen friends send their children to play in the snow, dressed in what they think are warm clothes - jeans, socks, long sleeved top, coat, hat. No vest! And of course the children come in with blue lips and the parents decide its Just Too Cold to play out.

At DD's nursery, even the teachers have full waterproofs and wellies.

Niecie · 04/09/2008 12:34

My DS2 has just finished at a nursery where they are allowed out at any time. They are all properly dressed and the nursery provide rain capes to keep the worst of the weather off.

I don't have a problem with it - children are pretty much waterproof.

No you can't catch a cold from being outside - it takes a virus not a raindrop, caught from somebody who is in close proximity to you in a relatively confined space, i.e. indoors.

I once heard of a nursery who never let their children play indoors - they spent all their time outside, rain or shine (I think they had shelters to eat lunch and that type of thing). A bit extreme but the point is that their rates of illness amongst the children were much lower than average.

DS2 starts infants on Monday and they have a policy of only have stay-in wet breaks if it is pouring down, not if it is just drizzling and they will have welly walks once a week too, rain or shine.

TBH if DS2 is kept in, regardless of the weather, he is climbing the walls by the end of the day. He is much better out and damp than in and miserable imo.

kinnies · 04/09/2008 12:39

Ds loves being out in the rain and dd will prob enjoy it more when she can walk and splash in puddels!! I think if we as parents remember to supply CMs or nurserys with proper outdoor wear and spare set of clothes for our kids there should be no problem.(mine will have to get used to wrapping up cos i wont turn the heating on - costs tooooooo much!!)

stripeymama · 04/09/2008 12:42

Outdoor Nursery

Sounds fab!

And I bet the kids there are not always ill from being outside.

Niecie · 04/09/2008 12:52

Thats probably the one I heard about Stripeymama.

Sounds lovely.

AbbeyA · 04/09/2008 13:10

All it needs is layers-you don't need lots of extra clothes. Children should get dirty at nursery-at that age puddles are for jumping in!

Overmydeadbody · 04/09/2008 13:28

8 coats Anna?!?!

What kind of reality are you living in?

Original poster
furrycat · 04/09/2008 13:28

Oh honestly babyinbelly! Yes, you're quite right, if I had known how much washing there would be I wouldn't have bothered having children.

OP posts:
hotcrossbunny · 04/09/2008 13:35

My dd's nursery was perfect. They had a sliding door so the dcs could run in and out all day if they wanted. There were masses of activities set up outside and in and it was up to the individual child how much time the spent in/out. I think dd spent about 70% of her time outside(there was a canopy over some of the space to keep the worst of the rain out). She was very very happy there. Her reception year was also fab. BUT they didn't need 'rules' to do this, it was the staff's own good sense.

stripeymama · 04/09/2008 13:41

But if you dress them properly then there isn't really extra washing!

Waterproof suit/coat and trousers + wellies = clean dry clothes underneath.

And you don't need to be rich to provide these. They are essential items of clothing. DD has them and I am a single parent on benefits.

mrsruffallo · 04/09/2008 13:42

I think it's fab.
Get em out in the rain, they will have lovely rosy cheeks afterwards

MrsMills · 04/09/2008 13:44

An old swedish saying 'there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing'

TotalChaos · 04/09/2008 13:45

/hijack

stripey - where you would recommend buying cheapish but decent quality waterproofs?

Botbot · 04/09/2008 13:49

I think it's fab too. Lots of fresh air is a Good Thing, IMO.

Twims · 04/09/2008 13:56

Agree with Bundles friend there is no thing as bad weather just bad clothes, and children love being outside, splashing in puddles, running around, its just normally us adults who want to be back inside.

I think this nursery looks fab and they spend most of the day outside - what would youprefer children getting bored cooped up insde or racing of the energy, and having fun.

stripeymama · 04/09/2008 13:57

Camping/outdoor shops that have sales on, or second hand shops. Also TK Maxx do snow/ski suit type things that are quite good - more expensive but if you buy them out of season they are often very reduced.

And don't bother trying to wash them - it damages the waterproofing. I rinse them under the shower if really filthy, otherwise just let them be dirty. Its what they are for after all.

kittycats · 04/09/2008 14:02

children spending time outside and splashing in puddles i think is great,i even join in..But im a childminder and i dont drive so we walk everywhere.Last winter i had a 3.5 yr old who walked very slow so getting to and from school took twice as long.By the time we got back from taking the kids to school both myself and child were soaked through to our undies.I didnt go out again that day because come 3pm we had to do it all over again. By the time we all got back to my house i had 8 soaking wet children and no where to dry our clothes.

stripeymama · 04/09/2008 14:04

Waterproof trousers don't tend to turn up in second hand shops as they get so muddy and its hard to wash them. Coats do frequently though. I recommend pac-a-mac type things, a size too big if possible so warm layers can be added underneath. That way you don't need a big thick waterproof coat as well.

MatNanPlus · 04/09/2008 14:12

why aren't the children wearing wet weather gear [[http://www.puddlejumpers.co.uk/waterproofs.php like these? At the daycare my charges went to they dressed them in parent supplied clothing which was a pair of jogging/fleece trousers and shoes/trainers and if wet then the above (we had hi fits & Jackets) and wellies if made available by the parents, children also wore slippers/indoor shoes once inside.

TotalChaos · 04/09/2008 14:13

thanks for the info stripey and matnanplus

MrsBoo · 04/09/2008 14:16

My DC both attended a rural-ish nursery. They really encouraged outdoor play, and walks. This year the garden is in a right state - because it has rained so much.
At the local primary, just in the village they have loads of outdoor space, for free play, normal climbing frame stuff, a train,places to hide, and load if bikes/ride on toys.
It's one of the main reasons that I picked it - can't believe its free.