outdoor play

[yellowmum]

Just wanted people's opinion before I tackle dd's playgroup on this one. When we went to visit they had outdoor play available for half the session - trikes, sand and water and so on. I have found out that in the winter they don't go outside so don't get this sort of play - they do have a small climbing frame and a few doll's prams inside but that's it. Is it me, or is this a bit odd? I'd understand if it was raining or icy but I'd have thought little ones needed to play outside or at least have trikes and so on inside. Would welcome any thoughts - don't know whether to tackle leader about it or not.

If youre happy with the rest of it I wouldnt bother. If you want them to play outside more, can you do that at home?

Tottally agree with you and so with Ofsted!

sand and water trays should be on wheels so they can have them indoors or out. And children should be allowed to go out in all weathers, just simply reduce the time they spend out there if it is really freezing.

My dd goes out in light rain, the children love it!

It's really difficult to broach such things with staff though isn't it, without appearing to be complaining. Perhaps you could start by just asking why they don't go out.

Dd1 goes out if it isn't raining, they all wrap up in gloves n hats etc.

Stay in if raining though.

The pre-school my kids went / go to doesn't any any facilities for outdoor play. It's only a couple of hours a day. They'll survive. They have the rest of the day to run around outside.

In my childrens' nursery they have outdoor play whenever it is warm enough and dry enough, but when it isn't they rearrange part of the hall to provide a large space for energecti play. If they aren't likely to get outdoors then there is always some sort of physical play available (small climbing frame and slide, balancing beams, crawl tunnels, etc). They will always try to get the bikes and cars out for an hour or so as well.

I think that children shoudl get outdoor play whenever possible, but my children have warm coats. A lot of the children at the nursery come from disadvantaged families, some are immigrants from hot countries too, and cannot cope with the cold, so nursery will not force them outside.

OTOH, whenever a little errand needs to be run - eg to the PO for stamps - they will take a few children with for an outing.

dd's nursery have it every day come rain or shine. If it's raining they put a sort of marquee with no sides up

Kinda confused here. Is it a P&T kinda group ie for a few hours in the morning or afternoon with you there or a nursery/creche situation with you not there? Cos if its P&T then cant see the problem just take em down the park later.

Thanks for everyone's opinions. I suppose I was a bit surprised as my other children's preschools all went out unless it was raining and I thought Ofsted was pretty hot on this as well. Will have a think about what to do - thanks for all the quick replies.

Sorry - it's p/t - only 2.5 hours. Can see there's a range of opinion here, which is good. I do think that physical play is quite important for some children and would prefer dd to have this option every day - I do take her to the park and so on as well. Just wanted to see what other people's playgroups did before I go steaming in!

I ahd exactly the same issue with my nursery, said they took the kids out in all weathers and then my dS (^ months when he started - in Jan) did not go outside for 6 months. They said it was too cold for babies! Ridiculous!

I know our local one doesnt do outside play during the winter. At least thats what it says on the Netmums website. Think there are quite a few like that. I would presume that one of the reasons is that the equipment gets really dirty if its wet (which it is quite a lot) but not raining and as most of these are run by volunteers they might not be too keen on having to clean it all IYSWIM.

Mine takes the kids for walks - but don't tend to play outside during the winter as the grass is so wet and muddy. Mind you, part of the nursery burnt down before Christmas and the older ones are now in a community centre in the town centre, so no outside play at all (although they do now have access to a sports hall to run around in)

I work in a pre-school and we don't have any outside play facility... and ofsted are OK with this...
We always have energetic play at a set time as part of our daily routine.
why don't you look up their ofsted report and see how it is..
To be honest I can't see what the problem is?
do you think they don't get any physical activity there?

I think I was just surprised as in my other children's preschools, as I have said, they always had a session with bikes and large equipment every day, for example, bean bags, soft balls. My son attended one that didn't have outside space so they split the session in two and after snacktime went into the other hall and had bikes and large equipment out. So not so bothered if it's outside or not, just that they should have the opportunity to have physical play every day. There was always sand and water available too, even though it was inside. As I said, they do have a climbing frame out, and prams, but I suppose I think that little children should always have the option to pedal a bike, or play with sand and water if they want to. I don't want to overreact, though, as I am happy with the group otherwise, so it's good to get other opinions.