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Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

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Original poster

How often does your nursery take the children outside?

31 replies

Summerdays2014 · 09/02/2017 12:52

Hi all,

My 13 month old son has been at nursery since the beginning of January and has yet to go outside to play in the garden. I know that it's cold at this time of year and we've had some rainy days. I also appreciate that he's in the baby room and some of the others can't walk yet. But I'd like him to play outside and get fresh air. When we went to look around they showed us the garden which looked great with a mud kitchen and toys etc. I've sent him with shoes, hat, coat etc each day and the staff know this. I mentioned this at the start and they said that it was bad weather. No one has mentioned anything since.
I'm very happy with the nursery in general and he's settled in really well so don't want to make a fuss. Just wondered what happened at other nurseries.

Thanks in advance.

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FearTheLiving · 09/02/2017 12:54

Mine gets booted out everyday!

badg3r · 09/02/2017 12:55

Mine went outside most days at that age, weather permitting. Are you sure they aren't taking him out and just not mentioning it?

Original poster

Summerdays2014 · 09/02/2017 12:57

I don't think so badg3r. They write down what he's being doing each day. And I really don't get the impression he's been out at all. Maybe I should ask though!

OP posts:

ElspethFlashman · 09/02/2017 12:58

Every day unless it's lashing all day. They have that playground material underfoot though, so no mud.

But still - that is very peculiar.

Babyiwantabump · 09/02/2017 12:59

Every day - he's just over a year . Are you sure they haven't? How do you know if you haven't asked?

LapinR0se · 09/02/2017 13:00

I am in Switzerland and here the nursery must ensure children of all ages spend an hour a day outside, it's a legal requirement. That might 3 x 20 min sessions in the garden, or one big block, or whatever suits the schedule that day.
I think it's a great idea!

Composteleana · 09/02/2017 13:01

Doesn't sound right to me, the EYFS curriculum requires regular (if not free-flow but that's for older children) access to the outdoors. Bad weather not an excuse, the children should be dressed appropriately - where I work we provide outdoor clothing such as waterproof suits and wellies in case parents don't provide or in case the weather turns unexpectedly.

NerrSnerr · 09/02/2017 13:01

Every day here too. They don't write going outside, singing, circle time and story time on their diary sheet every day as they do those daily. Only other activities and toys played with.

SnugglySnerd · 09/02/2017 13:04

Daily, they take the babies out for a walk in the pushchairs and the older ones go out in the play area. They also do Forest School and go for walks to the park, shops etc.

BelafonteRavenclaw · 09/02/2017 13:06

Pretty much everyday. He's 17m now and they used to take him in the pram before he could walk. He loves it, gets filthy and tries to copy the bigger toddlers.

Original poster

Summerdays2014 · 09/02/2017 13:09

Ok I'm definitely going to ask tomorrow. He's never come home with dirty shoes or muddy clothes, but I guess that's not proof!

OP posts:

2014newme · 09/02/2017 13:10

Every day several times plus forest school

NoArmaniNoPunani · 09/02/2017 13:11

At least once a day. They do forest school and have a small farm onsite too

Blueredballoon · 09/02/2017 13:12

Every day here too, apart from in horrendous weather.

kohl · 09/02/2017 13:16

Every day plus forest school once a week.

Original poster

Summerdays2014 · 09/02/2017 13:18

Wow. Thanks everyone. Maybe there are taking him out then if every other nursery does it so often! Also what is forest school?

OP posts:

MissJSays · 09/02/2017 21:07

Hi, nursery nurse here!
We go out 3 times a day, come rain or shine. 30 mins in the morning, 30 after dinner and between 45-60 mins at 4pm.

My manager says there is no such thing as inappropriate weather, just inappropriate clothing.

The children LOVE being outside, and it's good for us because it gets rid of so much energy - without it they end up climbing the walls.

It would be very concerning for me if a nursery didn't go outside, ofsted certainly wouldn't be happy about it.

It is quite possible though that they do go out and it just hasn't been mentioned on the daily sheet.

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 09/02/2017 21:10

Every day, but at this time of year not for long at that age.

Now he's in the toddler room they go out at least once. Once it's warmer the doors will be open and they'll be in and out all day.

CactusFred · 09/02/2017 21:17

Every day unless it's tipping down all day.

MissJSays · 09/02/2017 22:15

Just realised your LO is a baby. Our babies go out 3 times too, but for 10-15 minutes a time! X

Hugepeppapigfan · 09/02/2017 22:23

DD hardly ever went out in baby room but is out all the time in the toddler room.

Gladiatorsready · 10/02/2017 09:24

Everyday here too for everyone including the babies, definitely ask them you just might not be getting told.

BumWad · 10/02/2017 14:05

DS is still in the baby room (hes 20 months but not walking - was prem) I don't think they've been going out at all in the winter months! In the summer/autumn they were out every day.
I'm going to ask my nursery too I didn't realise it was a curriculum thing

Allthebestnamesareused · 10/02/2017 14:08

Mine used to go out everyday and even if it wasn't suitable for muddy play they would go for a walk into town. Used to see their little crcodile of toddlers and double buggies. I was very happy that he probably used to get out and about more there than when he was at home with me his lazy mum!

HerRoyalFattyness · 10/02/2017 14:19

I volunteer in a nursery. We (toddler room) are free flow which means that the children choose where they want to play, including outside.
The baby room takes the babies out 3 or 4 times a day, for 15 minutes at a time, longer if weather is mild and they are enjoying it. The baby garden is sheltered for when it's raining, and they have access to the sensory garden too, so they spend time crawling through the leaves and jingling the wind chimes.

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