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.

God, how miserable.

Presumably she's looked after babies before and knows what she's doing.

babies kept outside all winter because childminder doesn’t have enough room in her house and doesn’t want them on the sofa? OP I know you said your options are limited but this sounds miserable for them. I wouldn’t do this

Not allowed in the sofa? They’re not dogs. It sounds like this childminder doesn’t want children in her house so just shoves them outside all day. It doesn’t sound great. The baby will get freezing in winter, forest school is more for older pre schoolers and provides learning opportunities, not for babies who are vulnerable to the weather.

Ask the childminder.
Given it's her setting, she'll surely know what is suitable.
If she can't tell you, then I'd rethink.

Why did you think people on Mumsnet would know better than the person. You are paying?

Because people on mumsnet is a wider group who all have different experiences and children and likely dress their kids in a variety of ways so its helpful to see what other people use?

I am also veey nervous about them being outside all the time so I want as many ideas for keeping them warm as possible.

Is that okay?

It sounds like a lovely idea for summer and I’m sure they will love it. The fleeced lined tracksuit above sounds like a good idea. The part that puts me off is the fact they aren’t allowed on her sofa, couldn’t she just throw a cover on it?

Why can’t she heat the cabins? A wall heater would be fine. It’s one thing being outside and running about but being cold inside is miserable.

Why aren’t they allowed on the sofa?

She doesnt use her living room unless it is really really bad weather. I think its newish, Not sure about a cover but the impression I got was she doesn't use her main house unless she really needs to as everything is in the cabins now.

I assume as the cabin isnt huge she rarely shuts the doors as they just have free access to the garden from the cabin. So not much point heating it with the doors open.

She doesn't really use the main house as she has the cabins and everything in the cabins. Think its a newish sofa so when they do have to use the main house she blocks thw sofa off as I don't think she wants it trashed (totally understand)

Forest school for older toddlers, mmm ok, babies, would be hard no from me and my kids were always outside when younger.

The CM must be freezing as well as the children. I can't see how she passes ofsted tbh.

I’m sorry but I don’t think this is acceptable, in January when it’s absolutely freezing the childminder expects babies to sleep in an unheated shed with doors wide open? Toddlers are one thing but I don’t think this is at all suitable for a baby. I’m really sorry I know you have limited options but I’d seriously consider a longer drive for a ‘proper’ nursery or childminder for your 8 month old.

editing to say, how can she cook for these children? Are they at least getting a hot meal??

Our daughter attended a 100% outdoor nursery in Sweden until this August, she just wore merino wool base layers, then normal clothes on top, so jogging bottoms, t-shirt and jumper, then she had a puddle suit on and wellies. If it was particularly cold she had an insulated waterproof puddle suit and insulated boots. Her puddle suits were seperate top and trousers to make going to the loo a bit quicker.

They had insulated cots for the babies when it was nap time and they wore sheep skin lined waterproof romper thingies when they were awake.

I am providing a packed lunch for him.

I can't think of a more stupid place to send your child to be honest. Why would you want them outside all day in the winter?

Is there no other option within a 30min drive? This really doesn’t sound good for a baby, least your toddler can tell you if they are miserable and cold. I feel like I’m being dramatic but this really isn’t suitable. I’m so sorry and you can tell me to shut up but I really think you need to rethink this.

you know those days when it’s freezing and you just want a cup of tea or a hot bath…

Sounds miserable but what do I know!
my dd from quite little was always reluctant to go outside with the childminder and nursery. She did but she took persuasion 😆

This sounds fine for toddlers but not great pre-walkers. How many days will they be there?

For naps I’d send an insulated bed & sleeping bag, imagine you’re camping. Lots of blankets

I don't but I need a full time job and affordable childcare is very limited as are spaces for babies.

The issue is I have no idea where I will be working. The nurserys around us are super expensive or dont have space for babies. We put toddler into childminder as we moved house with the intention of baby joining once I got a job (lots of interviews scheduled so I am hoping within the next month)

I cant afford to put both kids into a proper nursery and not sure I can juggle taking them to 2 different places and getting to work ontime. Would also mean baby has to be in childcare more as my partner can pick them up from childminder but wont be able to if he is at nursery as I will have the car.

He will hopefully only be there 3 days a week. Possibly 4 if DP gets a promotion.

Not sure I would be able to send a insulated bed as apparently they aren't considered 'safe sleep' so I dont imagine they fit the new guidelines same with blankets. But I will buy him the warmest sleep suit I can find.

Luckily toddler doesnt nap anymore so he isnt an issue for sleep.

So having no heat all day on colder months and they will be having a cold packed meal.

Op, this is insane and if it were a parent posting the house is an ice box because they have no money in the meter for heating and fed them sandwiches, that would be neglect. You don't seem to realise how cold its potentially going to be in this garden shed.