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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

nursery not taking babies outside

41 replies

Summerdays2014 · 17/02/2017 18:43

Hi,

A week ago I asked how often your nursery took the babies (my son is 13 months and can walk) outside, and was very surprised when everyone said it was all the time! I said I didn't think my son has been out since starting in January, people suggested he may have been, but it wasn't written on his sheet.

Well, he hasn't been out at all. When I asked they said they try, but it's hard getting all the babies downstairs and dressed and out.

This doesn't sit well with me at all. It was a beautiful day today and I feel sad that my son wasn't outside.

In general I'm happy with the nursery, my son has settled very well, seems happy, is eating, napping and happy with the staff. Would not going out be reason enough to move him? Or would this be an over reaction? It's a small nursery so I usually see the manager whenever I pick my son up so I'll mention it. Not sure what to say though... I hate confrontations and making a fuss. I feel like I should have asked more about this when we looked round...

Thanks all.

OP posts:

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DingyDillDong · 18/02/2017 08:10

Nursery manager here. Babies in my setting are outside every morning. They have their own garden which does make it easier to just open the door and let them out.

We were short staffed on Thursday so i was in numbers in the toddler room (one after babies) and it was a bit of a nightmare getting nine of them all suited up and putting their wellies on but so worth it for what they got out of it.

I would be questioning why they can't go out. Can you email the manager perhaps? They may not be aware of how often they're going out, or rather not and could maybe help them with taking them out and bringing them in.

Some staff just don't like going outside and I have had to give warnings to staff who don't attempt to get the children out.

Loulou2kent · 18/02/2017 08:13

CM here & I agree, fresh air everyday! They should really have the provisions to get the little ones out regularly.

Original poster

Summerdays2014 · 18/02/2017 12:34

Thanks everyone. You're just confirming what I thought, it's not right and I will have to speak to the manager (maybe I'll email as I'm a wimp) I looked around all the local nurseries and I didn't like any others apart from one which had no room on the days I needed. Maybe I'll ask to go on their waiting list of things can't be resolved here... they didn't say they 'couldn't be bothered' just that it was hard with the babies, but that is no excuse. In all other ways I'm happy with the nursery, but it's important to me that he goes outside. We've been playing outside this morning and he loves it.

OP posts:

ACubed · 18/02/2017 12:40

I'm pretty sure thy have to go outside once a day by law, unless there's a hurricane or something!

Original poster

Summerdays2014 · 18/02/2017 12:44

Interesting ACubed, I might look into that. I did consider a childminder, as I knew they would go out more, but all the ones that were recommended to me were full...

OP posts:

ACubed · 18/02/2017 12:47

Yes I work in a nursery and I'm sure the eyfs (early years curriculum) requires one outside trip a day. We have a tiny outdoor scrap of land and march them out in the rain every day

HappyTalking · 18/02/2017 16:38

Firstly the ratio for under 2's is 1:3 so each member of staff shoild only have 3 children at most to dress.
Secondly if it is an upstairs baby room And they are struggling I would question how they manage during fire drills and how often they do them.

Outdoor play is a massive part of the EYFS so I am shocked that they seem to think it unimportant.

My nursery all of the children have outdoor access for AT LEAST 2 hours everyday regardless of the weather. Yes it can take a few minutes to get them all ready if it is raining etc but we see it as a very important part of the day

HSMMaCM · 18/02/2017 16:40

From eyfs framework:

.	3.58.  Providers must provide access to an outdoor play area or, if that is not possible, ensure that outdoor activities are planned and taken on a daily basis (unless circumstances make this inappropriate, for example unsafe weather conditions). Providers must follow their legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 (for example, the provisions on reasonable adjustments

Original poster

Summerdays2014 · 18/02/2017 20:47

Thank you HSM. Wow. I'm really going to have to consider my options now... I'll try and speak to the manager on Monday (or compose an email tomorrow)

OP posts:

Daytona79 · 18/02/2017 20:50

That would be a no go for me my kids nursery takes under 2 out twice a day in pram unless weather very wet and 2-5 got for a walk or into the garden out the back twice a day apart from from very bad weather

How do they expect kids to get vitamin D with no sun exposure

I would move nursery

NeverTwerkNaked · 18/02/2017 20:53

I think it is a bit ridiculous to suggest that either childminders/ nurseries go out more/less. Depends totally on the particular setting not what type it is. All the childminders round me are a miserable bunch who moan about the kids they look after and their parents

I avoided nurseries that had the babies upstairs as it stuck me it would be too much faff to get them outside. At my sons nursery each age group has their own garden accessible directly out of their rooms, as well as a large communal garden. They also have a huge soft play room (slides, tunnels etc) for horrible rainy days.

museumum · 18/02/2017 20:55

When does he move up a room and does that next room go out more?

At the nursery we were at at that age kids moved to the toddling room at about 14mo or walking then moved again at 2 to the 2-3 room.
Our non-walking babies went out for walks in buggies but didn't spend a lot of time in the garden, however the toddlers were out there every day.

Snap8TheCat · 18/02/2017 20:59

Amazing how a nursery thread can still turn in to a CM bashing thread!

Tootsiepops · 18/02/2017 21:00

I must be odd as it really doesn't bother me if my 14 month old doesn't get outside at nursery. It's been cold and wet and miserable over the winter - I'd not go outside in that either

EdenX · 18/02/2017 21:08

It probably is very difficult for each adult to get 3 babies down the stairs in one go - maybe carrying one and trying to encourage/monitor two more going down on their bottoms or fronts. Must be super stressful!

In their defence it has been very cold recently and the non-walkers probably don't enjoy be outside on the cold ground very much. A lot of stress and crying getting them out there and then 10 minutes later half of them are cold and miserable and want to go back in.

QuackDuckQuack · 18/02/2017 21:15

We moved DD to a new nursery and it was a great decision. She settled far quicker than when she first went to nursery as she was used to being in a nursery environment. If you can find one you prefer then I'd encourage you to go for it.

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