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Original poster

Are all NURSERIES OBSESSED WITH FRESH AIR or is it just mine?????

85 replies

drosophila · 03/12/2006 20:17

DD's nursery is very regimented I think. They obviously have a time in the day when the kids play out door on an all weather surface. I am getting a bit pissed off with this as I think it's too bloody cold some days and the children are not as active as if they were going for a walk. They are just playing with the usual garden type toys.

I get the impression that the woman who runs the nursery has some view about children having to get a blast of fresh air whether they want it or not. Anyone have a similar experience?

DD is getting over a cold and while I think she may be fine to attend nursery I don't think she is ok to spend a couple of hours outside.

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Original poster
drosophila · 04/12/2006 10:21

So do you all dispute the findings of the research I highlighted? Who knows Scandinavian people may have adapted to the environment their ancestors have lived in.

OP posts:
beckybrastraps · 04/12/2006 10:28

Did you look at other factors influencing the transmission of the common cold? I think there probably are some.

I wouldn't curb my children's enjoyment of outdoor play on this one small study. If you have a problem with it, then you should talk to the nursery. Or find another nursery. Or a childminder who likes being indoors. I suspect most people who look after small children encourage them to play outside to let off some steam. I know I do.

Original poster
drosophila · 04/12/2006 10:30

Also if spending time in the elements is so good for you then why do humans spend so much time and energy building shelters? Come on then, buy a tent and some thick sleeping bags and by all accounts you will live longer.

Also you can't even get good all weather clothing for toddlers. Where can I find a balaclava for a 2 yr old?

OP posts:
Twiglett · 04/12/2006 10:31

To quote Billy Connolly

"There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing"

Fresh air is good for them

Even rain is good for them

Staying indoors in centrally heated rooms is BAD for them but very good for the transmission of various viruses

Original poster
drosophila · 04/12/2006 10:31

I just know the Nursery owner is going to be of asimilar mindset to you guys.

OP posts:
Twiglett · 04/12/2006 10:33

Drosophila .. its not even THAT cold here .. We've been out all morning cleaning the decking and have only just come in

my 2 year old is wearing wellies, jeans, a long sleeved t-shirt, zip-up fleece and a coat ... she's too hot

I think you're looking at this wrong personally ... I think I'd be grateful they're not huddled inside

MusicLover · 04/12/2006 10:33

Yea...DD's nursey is the same. I dont mind the fact that they let them play out, as long as they are wrapped up I mean. What does infuriate me is the fact that they have muddy grass & let them play in it!!!! Im forever washing her footwear

hulababy · 04/12/2006 10:34

Our local market has lots of children's balaclavas. Not sure how small they go.

DD had a Peter Storm coat, with a flecce bit inside. This is really good for the cold, and they start in small sizes. We found normal gloves rather than mittens was better for outside play - the cheap magic clothes work just as well in our experience. DD just had normal wooly hats - some fasten under the chin which helps keep them on.

How old is your little one? 2 years? Is she mobile - running around?

julen · 04/12/2006 10:35

Drosophila, balaclava's for 2 year olds (they even do them for baby's).

beckybrastraps · 04/12/2006 10:36

There is a difference between sleeping in the open air and playing outside for a couple of hours surely? I mean, they don't nap outside I assume?

CheesyFeet · 04/12/2006 10:41

I'd rather dd was running around outside in the nursery garden than being cooped up inside with a load of snotty kids. Her nursery has a policy of outdoor play in all but the worst weather. They run around and get rid of loads of 2-year-old energy. It's the carers I feel sorry for - they seem to feel the cold far more than the children do.

Does no good to my washing machine though - that child could look at a pot plant and get covered in mud

Socci · 04/12/2006 10:42

Message withdrawn

Original poster
drosophila · 04/12/2006 11:18

How would you feel if virtually every Friday your DD had a cold and was only better by Wed just in time ot return to Nursery. Before she went to Nursery she had an average number of colds.

I don't know how long they spend outside and this may be the problem. I don't have a problem with fresh air as such I just think a bit of common sense would be good. I am not saying that she should be inside all winter. One day they told me that she was shivering soooo much they took her inside like it was a big deal. Some people are more robust when it comes to cold weather and some are not.

Also I don't think the research I highlighted should be ignored it comes from The Common Cold Centre, at Cardiff University, which is the world's only centre dedicated to researching and testing new medicines for the treatment of flu and the common cold.

OP posts:
Original poster
drosophila · 04/12/2006 11:21

WHat make you think fresh air is good for the immune system? read this - how to improve your immune system

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Original poster
drosophila · 04/12/2006 11:24

I also think that the liklihood of the air being fresh in London is remote.

OP posts:
jomorgan · 04/12/2006 11:26

I personally wouldnt worry as long as ur dd has plenty of layers on and hat, scarf, gloves at what not. I've worked in loads of nurseries and have often thought they dont go outside enough...in a couple of cases at all!

Trust me if its really really cold the staff arent gonna want to stay out with them anyway for that long!

melrose · 04/12/2006 11:27

I wish ours was more like that, plenty of days when it is col;d butgorgeous and sunny they do NOT take the kids out which i think is a shame but I am a believer in a bit of fresh air every day - my DS slept outside in his pram for his daytime naps for the first year of his life!

hulababy · 04/12/2006 11:28

How long are they spending outside? Long periods of time in one go? What are they doing when outside? What clothes is she wearing when outside, compared to inside?

TBH children do tend to get more colds once they start at nursery anyway IME, regardless of whether they spend time inside or outside.

Original poster
drosophila · 04/12/2006 11:29

Jomorgan that's reassuring. My fear is that they are out too much and that they are not active enough. I take DD out every day I am with her except for rain.

OP posts:
Twiglett · 04/12/2006 11:30

Drosophila .. how do you feel about the fact that MOST people think you're not in the right on this one? (just interested .. not being snippy .. its obviously something that bothers you)

Avalon · 04/12/2006 11:30

Isn't your dd just at the age where they pick up every bug going anyway, just by mixing with the other kids?

Twiglett · 04/12/2006 11:30

I think I mean ... does it make you want to convince us more how wrong it is or does it make you want to reassess your own opinion or do you just think feck the lot of you?

Socci · 04/12/2006 11:34

Message withdrawn

foundintranslation · 04/12/2006 11:34

I'm a big believer in fresh air every day. One or both of us takes ds (18 months, not at nursery) out every day except in the worst rain and gales. Sometimes he's had a red nose and red cheeks etc but has never had anything more than a slight cold.

melrose · 04/12/2006 11:36

I echo the colds thing. Every child I know who goes to nursery has a permenant drippy nose! The good side is that exposure to all those bugs now builds up their immune system. Some study done recently showed that kids at nursery are off sick less when they go to school etc.

Do not think that the outside play has much effect. The study you linked to involved poutting feet in freezing water which would lower the body temperature. Not really comparable to playing in the garden with acoat on for hlaf an hour!!

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