Childcare clothes - How to keep him warm?

[Karma1387]

Just looking for advice on how to dress my toddler and baby for their new childminder.

She is mainly based outside with some unheated cabins for them to sleep in and play/eat in and the garden.

Obviously weather has been super crap recently so I am wondering the best way to dress them both to keep them warm when spending so much time in the cold but in a way that isnt going to hinder play or make the childminders life too difficult for nappy changes.

For context toddler is 2.5 but wears size 3-4 kids and baby will be 8/9 months and is still learning to crawl so will be spending the majority of his time on the floor but I dont want to hinder his crawling plus baby still naps so not sure what to send him to sleep in as I imagine its quite cold in the cabin.

Ask her what she’d recommend and what she provides herself.

Mine went to a nursery that was almost entirely outside. We sent them in normal clothes with a jumper in the winter, plus hat, gloves, wellies and a warm coat. They would put them in puddle suits that they provided to keep them dry. For non-walking babies, they’d have them in socks with nappy bags over the top to create a waterproof layer and another thick sock on top (they provided and washed the extra socks).

We have Reima snowsuits that are really warm and waterproof whilst still designed for movement. I buy then from vinted because they're too expensive.

We used snowsuits from Reima and Didrikson. And Ecco boots.

She is mainly based outside with some unheated cabins for them to sleep in and play/eat in and the garden.

This ⬆️ does not sound ideal to me in the winter - my childminder has a double converted garage with an air heating and air con system it’s warm in the winter and cool in summer. That sounds very chilly 🥶

I am worried about it being cold especially for the youngest which is why I want to make sure they have the right outfits to keep them warm.

I personally wouldn’t be sending them if it was me, it doesn’t sound brilliant for a British winter and thinking ahead here, when they end up sick with chest infections etc it’ll cause you a headache as they won’t be able to go and then you’ll miss work. My kids are also miserable if they’re cold and were worse when they were little.

Have you considered any alternatives or was this the only setting available? If it was the only one available - I’m guessing this could be the reason why sadly.

Unfortunately the Nurserys are just too expensive for 2 kids and there are only 2 childminders in the village and the other is full and not many childminders have space for 2 children as their ratios are so small.

It’s a massive shame they aren’t starting at Easter when the weather will have improved as they’d have got used to the setting in the better weather.
you can always go on a waiting list for alternatives but I hear what you’re saying about the cost of nursery V the childminders.

The only other childminder didnt even offer a waiting list and honestly when they can only have 3 kids its just so unlikely for them to get 2 spaces come available at once.

Id much prefer a normal nursery but £5 per hour after funding at a childminder vs £10 per hour and the extra fees for the funded hours just makes it unaffordable.

Our kids went to a forest nursery that was outdoors in all weathers (unless severe weather conditions like snow or storm!)
they would wear thermal base layers, joggers, t shirts, sweatshirt or hoody, water proof layers on top with waterproof gloves/mittens, hats and wellies. And I’d send 2 outfits in with them as spares in case they got too wet!
people are so dramatic about the weather, when kids do this all the time in much colder countries!

id also ask the childminder what she suggests

Ask the childminder. At our nursery they spend 2-3 hours outside in the morning and they provide the outdoor clothes. No idea what my toddler wears!

This is the kit list we had

Wow i'm amazed they supply the outdoor clothes! Our current nursery we supply everything but a couple of hours outside broken up through the day is very different to being outside for 8-10 hours and eating and sleeping outside so I feel a bit nervous about making sure they are warm enough.

What's her plan for when its hailing it down?

Wow thats a lot of stuff! I didn't anticipate having to spend so much 🙈 but I don't want them cold.

They have a cabin they play/eat in and also one for sleep so I assume she uses those but they aren't heated.

She said she uses her personal living room if it is super bad weather (I assume like snow) but as they aren't allowed on her sofa and its not a huge space I can't imagine she uses that option often as most of the toys etc are out in the cabin.

I would ask the childminder but I would definitely go for lots of layers and separate tops/bottoms rather than snowsuits. Tights, trousers, waterproof trousers, socks, lined boots etc.

Forest nursery mum here - for winter Uniqlo do fleece lined joggers that are great over a pair of base layer leggings. On upper body a merino wool or thermal base layer (not cotton as that gets cold with sweat) and a few other layers including a fleece, body warmers are good for keeping core warm but allowing movement. Neck buffs are good. On cold days a pair of foot warmer heat pads in the wellies.

a fleece snood - Next often have them for kids

Lots of people love forest schools and outdoor nurseries. If anything the kids get ill less often.

I suppose so but mine hate being cold 🥶 there has to be a balance and somewhere warm In the winter is important to me but I appreciate it might not be to others.

Honestly my children are outdoors loads and I’m not someone who thinks children can’t handle a bit of rain. But a crawling baby being based mainly outside? All year round? They’ll need such thick gloves to stop their hands getting too cold on freezing/soaking ground that they won’t be able to actually do anything with their hands once sitting.

You could look on Vinted? I’m sure I got our girls joggers and sweatshirts from George at Asda. Possibly even their thermals from there too, or next…
the waterproof mittens and hats were didriksen I think and they lasted ages!!

Uniqlo has a range of thermal tops and leggings and fleece lined leggings for kids which are great for underneath waterproofs (and also fairly inexpensive). They also have nice cosy fleeces which might be good for when they are in the cabin or for underneath a puddle suit when it’s very cold. Jo Jo Maman Bebe does a good fleece lined waterproof hat. Next do knitted snoods which are cosy but much easier than scarves.

I think the baby is 100% my biggest concern. My toddler is wild and will probably love it if he is wearing enough clothes. But the idea of my 8 month old on the cold floor makes me really sad I have to admit. I feel like she may find she is having to hold him a lot 🙈