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Original poster

Daughter goes on school trip and stands outside freezing most of the day. Complain????

82 replies

FloralFlowers · 02/12/2010 17:59

Hi all

Just like to get some opinions before I go writing furious letters Angry

My 6 year old when on a school trip to the Zoo today to watch a nativity type animal show.
It was 0 degrees but we were advised the trip would still be going ahead, despite the weather.

She was well wrapped up, two layers of everything,hat scarf gloves and ear muffs.

She came home (early!) with wet feet and freezing cold saying she had stood outside and walked around all day despite crying (along with nine of the other girls and two boys) and asking to go inside.

The class trip then came home an hour early, which just added further to her upset as I wasn't able to pick her up.
Do I make a complaint that they were kept outside for most of the trip??

I understand it was a zoo trip, and the weather was unexpected, but if a quarter of the class are crying due to cold (and my daughter doesn't have a tendency to make things up and is pretty honest), would a school normally continue with the trip???

I didn't get chance to speak to other parents as my daughter was one of the few left at the end of the day, so didn't get chance to check the stories out.

What would you do in this instance?????

Thanks all

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Goblinchild · 02/12/2010 18:03

What was she wearing on her feet?
Ask for a breakdown of the events of the day, so that you know how much time she spent outside and not moving to keep warm.
Where did they eat lunch? Were any of the activities indoors?
Write and ask.

scurryfunge · 02/12/2010 18:07

Provided she was dressed adequately I do not see a problem. Wet feet sounds like she didn't dress appropriately.

Original poster
FloralFlowers · 02/12/2010 18:07

She had boots, and took her 'outdoor learning kit' with her, which had wellies and extra socks in.

I asked the teacher beforehand if I should change her shoes, to which she said no, and that if needed, they would change them there as they were taking all the kits.

They saw father christmas indoors and ate in the aquarium, but she said most of the day was spent outdoors.

What made me laugh was that they didn't get to see the pigs because the pigs were put inside because it was too cold!!!

OP posts:
MrsDaffodill · 02/12/2010 18:07

Our school would have continued (and did, last year in the snow). They would have allowed wellies instead of school shoes though - how did her feet get wet?

Other than that they'd expect parents to use thermals, long johns, waterproof trousers, etc, to keep the cold at bay.

Last week they all walked around three miles outdoors when it was zero degrees and a strong wind. I don't think there were any complaints about them continuing.

Goblinchild · 02/12/2010 18:10

You need to check the timings with the adults who were there, and the amount of time spent outside.
Most 6 year olds have a vague sense of time, and attach great importance to their own discomfort.

Original poster
FloralFlowers · 02/12/2010 18:11

Ok, so it is normal for trips like this?

Usually they don't have this trip, it was a new trip that was scheduled last minute, so was just wondering what the general thing would be for the school to do.

Thanks for the replies

OP posts:
EvilTwinsAteRudolph · 02/12/2010 18:12

The trip was to a zoo. Every single zoo I've visited has been mostly outdoors. Sorry, but what did you expect? At least they cut the visit short - that shows that they were thinking of the children, IMO. Sounds like a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't kind o situation - plenty of parents would have complained had the trip been cancelled, and plenty of children would have been upset.

Don't complain to the school - no point. What result would you be looking for?

hocuspontas · 02/12/2010 18:13

Well it sounds like that because a quarter of them were complaining, the school didn't continue with the trip. They came home an hour early.

I bet the three quarters not affected were a bit miffed!

scurryfunge · 02/12/2010 18:13

I think the only question I would ask the teacher would be why your daughter didn't change into wellies and extra socks. It may be that she was given the opportunity but chose not to.

Goblinchild · 02/12/2010 18:14

But getting an answer might still all the possible complaining and conjecture.
OP is taking her daughter's word entirely, which is why I suggested that she checks with adults.

LynetteScavo · 02/12/2010 18:14

Why weren't you able to pick her up if they came back an hour early? Surely they then had time in the classroom until the normal time of school ending? Confused Did they actually ask parent to collect children just because they came back from the trip early?

I would have sent my child in water prof snow boots, but I understand most children don't own a decent pair in this country, so as the teacher I wouldn't have taken inadequately dressed children out on a trip.

Original poster
FloralFlowers · 02/12/2010 18:16

No they came home early as one of the attractions had been closed due to 'technical' problems.

I think I will ask the teacher if the children were given the chance to change into the wellies beforehand as I understood that was what they would do (hence why they didn't change in the classroom).

Thanks for the opinions though :)

OP posts:
Original poster
FloralFlowers · 02/12/2010 18:21

Yeah, I need a pair of those boots, so if you know anywhere that stocks in UK, would be v.grateful!

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 02/12/2010 18:26

Seriously, you didn't want kids out in wellies today! It was bitter.

DD has been wearing these on the way to school

Original poster
FloralFlowers · 02/12/2010 18:36

Thanks for the link for the shoes :)

OP posts:
sageygirl · 02/12/2010 21:11

My kids were both bright red in the face and hands at least were very warm after walking, well, running around like mad things, in the snow. Both were complaining of hats & gloves and gave them to me to carry half way there. Wellies were fine for us - temperature was around zero.

Boots good if you are going to be out for ages standing around but school doesn't even let the infants out - health and safety, they might fall over! At least the juniors were allowed out for an hour to play. My son says he didn't bother with anything but a coat (which a teacher made him put on) but was still far too hot.

Tortington · 02/12/2010 21:13

she'll get over it

PixieOnaLeaf · 02/12/2010 21:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Hulababy · 02/12/2010 21:29

How long in total do you reckon hey were outside?

I think not insisting on boots or waterproof boots/wellies was wrong of the school. They should have insisted all children wore them, not it being optional.

Presumably as it was a zoo you assumed it would be outdoors and she was dressed appropriately - bar the shoe issue?

Without knowing how long it is hard to say.

It does sound a long time and like they needed to seek some warth for a bit if so many children were cold enough to be crying - that i not a normal level of upset ime of school trips.

tropicalfish · 02/12/2010 21:49

It sounds to me to be a bad idea to go on a achool trip to the zoo at this time of year however I suppose the school wasnt to know it would as cold as this.

Desiderata · 02/12/2010 21:53

Bloody hell! If you don't want dd's cards to be marked forever, I'd keep your trap shut.

She'll get over it, and so should you. The comparison to the pigs is ridiculous. They don't get to wear clothes.

ostracized · 02/12/2010 22:51

FloralFlowers - strange post for me to read because my dd (also 6) is going to the zoo tomorrow to see a nativity. Was it London Zoo - this is where dd is going and I assume your dd must have as well unless all zoos do this at christmas. In our case apparently our deputy head managed to get some free tickets and so this is a free "treat" type of trip. Anyway, since reading your posts I have been out looking for snow boots but they were sold out so resorted to thermal socks which dd will wear over tights and inside wellies. Also vest, school t-shirt, school fleece, anorak, gloves, hat and obviously trousers. I too am a bit worried she might end up with frostbite on her toes as wellies can be kind of freezing.
Anyway, understand you are upset but maybe just ask what happened re. wellies and say that next time on such an occasion, kids should wear them from home?

sparkle12mar08 · 03/12/2010 10:26

Those are lovely boots MrsZ but the price is shocking - that's one hell of a lot of money for something that might only be worn for six weeks in a year, and will only last one year because they grow so quickly. As for the ones on Lynette's link, hahahahaha, I couldn't afford that in a million years! Wellies and thermal socks can cost less than £8. I do wonder about some of the posts about clothes etc on this site, it's like you all live on another planet Smile

OP, call the school and enquire nicely by all means, but the others are right, it's really not one to be that miffed about.

goingroundthebend4 · 03/12/2010 12:12

dd has the first one Mrs Z linked to wears when its wet and cold to just not in the snow though do confess to getting netrual colours so ds3 could ahve after