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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be annoyed with my sons play school at having the door open - CONSTANTLY!

47 replies

sweetheart · 05/02/2009 13:39

Ok, I have never used this topic before but I am really annoyed about something and I'd like the general consensus of what happens at other play schools.

The playschool my son goes to have an outside area and the door is always open. The children are allowed to choose when they play outside - this is in conjuction with the early years curriculum of free play apparently.

Usually it's fine but recently it's been very cold and they have had the door wide open even when it's been below zero! Today I went in and asked if the same would apply - we have had heavy snow hear and it's very cold.

I was informed that it would be open and the children could choose if they play outside. I said I would rather my ds was not outside getting cold and wet to which I was informed that it was his choice and they would not stop him.

Am I being unreasonable or regardless of the curriculum should there not come a point where a responsible adult takes control and stops them from getting so cold and wet? I mean if a child could truly choose what they did all day it would probably be eating chocolate and they aren't allowed to do that at playschool.

Really I'd love to know if I am being totally irrational!

OP posts:

Sheeta · 05/02/2009 13:41

YANBU, make a formal complaint. How idiotic!

choccyp1g · 05/02/2009 13:42

It is some mad new OFSTED rule, that playing outside has to be always available. To counteract the miserable places where if it was a bit cold at "playtime" they'd just stick the TV on, and not change the timetable around so they could play later.

2pt4kids · 05/02/2009 13:42

Is the door left literally open? or is just unlocked and the children can open it and go out as they please?

I'd be annoyed if it was left wide open making the indoor bit too cold, but wouldnt mind them having the option to go out and play even in the snow.

LynetteScavo · 05/02/2009 13:42

YANBU, but what if an ofsted inspector dropped by.

In summer my daughters nursery leave the door open, but in winter they are taken aut at certain times.

My 6 year old wouldn't come in untill he was too cold - I wouldnt' be happy to risk that with a 3 year old.

LoveMyGirls · 05/02/2009 13:42

YANBU

I agree with outside play

I agree with children having choice

I do not agree with leaving the door open so that the children who chose to stay warm cannot do so or they put the price of nursery up to cover the wasted fuel to heat a room with the door open.

Totally bonkers.

HSMM · 05/02/2009 13:42

There is a lot of pressure on early years settings to allow free flow play indoors and out. However ... we are allowed to use common sense!

listenglisten · 05/02/2009 13:43

Personally, I would be happy for my dc's to go outside if they wanted (but then I find my friends are shocked that my children go outside without coats sometimes) They know when they are cold and will only stay out as long as is comfortable.

As long as you ds has a change of clothes in case he gets wet then I wouldn't worry. He won't stay outside if he gets too cold.

Gorionine · 05/02/2009 13:44

I think you are definitely not BU because of your arguments + why do they not just open the door when a child wants to go out or come back in? it would save them quite a bit on their heating bill! ( or is heating off and the Dcs are wearing coats mittens and boots inside as well as outside?)

etchasketch · 05/02/2009 13:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

loobeylou · 05/02/2009 13:49

our nursery wrap them all up warmly and in boots and all in one waterproofs and they go out twice a day even if it is raining/snowing. They have not been out on 3 days since christmas, as the playground was far too icy. if Ds is wet or muddy (as they can still have water play etc)he is always changed.fresh air is good for them, they enjoy it, can see no problem.

Now, at the nursery DD went to, they only took the kids out in summer, including for lunch on the very hot days (when advice is to stay out of the sun between 11 and 3) so the staff could all try to get a tan. I know which set-up I prefer.

Original poster

sweetheart · 05/02/2009 13:54

Yes the door is WIDE open - they have recently put up a curtain which makes little difference to the warmth of the play school. I don't believe it is heated - will look out for that next time I'm there.

I should state I have no objection to him going outside sometimes - he has been out in the snow this week and he does love it BUT he is 3 and when he gets cold at home I take him indoors, change his clothes, warm his hands with warm water and give him a hot drink. They don't do that at play school - they have other children to see to. They said they would change him if he was wet but dh has picked him up before and he was soaking from playing with water outside.

And yes - it's in out in out all day - coats on, coats off, coats on, coats off etc etc etc

OP posts:

apostrophe · 05/02/2009 13:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

sweetheart · 05/02/2009 13:57

I also want to say that I am the sort of parent that likes children to play outdoors rather than be stuck infront of the TV - we go for walks and bike rides at the weekend etc etc

BUT - I feel cold when I go in the playschool and it's only for 10 mins. I'd hate to be stuck there for 3 hours.

OP posts:

TheFallenMadonna · 05/02/2009 14:00

It's ridiculous purely because of the effect on heating bills IMO. The energy bills at dd's preschool increased by 8x when this came in. Seriously. Which has a knock-on effect on everything else.

loobeylou · 05/02/2009 14:02

i very much doubt the nursery is unheated, this would mean recently that the temperature would be well below the permitted level for their employees, never mind the children in their care!

I do think they should all go out together, as it must be difficult to keeep an eye on who goes out when etc, also the heating/waste of money issue makes it madness.

Sidge · 05/02/2009 14:03

YANBU wanting the door shut.

YABU not wanting him to go outside. He won't rust and if you send appropriate clothing and changes of clothing there is no need for him to be cold and wet.

But if the staff don't change him then you need to either have a word with them or find another playschool. Leaving young children in cold wet clothes is not good.

Ceebee74 · 05/02/2009 14:08

I am not sure what happens at DS1's nursery tbh - the door isn't open afaik but they do always play out at least once a day.

However I did look round another nursery (newly-built) and they made a big thing about telling me the door was always open so the children could choose what they do. As it was a big patio-type door I was a bit

Anyway, why is there such an emphasis on 'free choice' - when the children go to school they can't 'choose' to go and play outside whenever they feel like it can they?

Also, the poor staff having to put on and take off all the coats, gloves etc over and over again - I find it hard enough getting DS1 togged up once a day!

Mimia · 05/02/2009 14:11

I can see why you would want the door shut in these temperatures, but YABU about not wanting him to go outside, why shouldn't he go outside if he wants?? At this age they will come in if they are freezing. They should change him though, I would not be happy with finding him in very wet clothes.

littlerach · 05/02/2009 14:13

CeeBee, free hoice is the new initiative.

Which is great in many ways, but unrealistic in others.

Our outdoor area is away form the room, so we can't have the door open.

It is the same I believe with snacks - the children should be able to have something to eat when they like, not when they are told.

In Reception they can go out when they like.

Gorionine · 05/02/2009 14:21

I would like to know a bit more about this "free choice" initiative. Can any of you run me through it? Is that another way to teach children that they can do what they want and then blame the parents when it gets out of control?

(sorry for hijacking.)

HSMM · 05/02/2009 14:35

Don't forget ... if he is cold outside, the door is open and he can come back in.

Gorionine - play is supposed to be child led and then just enhanced and extended by adults.

Original poster

sweetheart · 05/02/2009 14:38

ok, another good example is the food - they should be able to eat whenever they want and the play school do operate a snack time but it is an allocated time - so why can't they do the same with the door?!?!

OP posts:

onlinemummy · 05/02/2009 16:55

YAB (a little)U You chose the pre school for your child and presumambly you knew then what they did. Even if this is a recent development, other posters are right in that it is seen by ofsted as a positive experience for the children. If you are worried about your DC getting wet then send all in one wasterproofs and wellies and extra warm clothes. Children do get so much from free access to the outdoors and in my opinion they dont get enough of it. Children do know when they are too cold perhaps not as quickly as an adult but I haver never heard of a child with hypothermia from free access provision at pre-school!

Katiestar · 05/02/2009 17:15

Is it possibly to do with supervision ie are they using the open door as an excuse not to have a member of staff permanently outside ?
If it is making the inside cold then it is a stupid idea -why can't they just open the door when a child wants to go in or out ? Or surely at 3 children can open a door themselves ?

LucyEllensmummy · 05/02/2009 17:25

i think they are unreasonable. My child goes to pre school for two hours a day - they have stuff set up outside and a lovely play area. They give the children choices about what they do - the children can choose laminated cards of pictures of what they would like to do, ie painting, play dough, outside play etc. The door is never left open on the off chance. As far as i could make out, no one much goes out when its cold - i think they discourage it. Their outside area is partially under cover. They went out in the snow, not sure if DD did so - but they have a door between the inside and outside and a teacher who mans the door and monitors outside activity etc.

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