Concerned About Outdoor Play in Cold Weather at Daycare

wow, I would not be happy about that. I work at a montessori school and we do not go outside if it's below 32 or raining. We have a big indoor area that we do an indoor recess for those days. I really can't imagine having my class (18m-3 yrs old) going outside in the rain and letting them sit there all wet and cold. That would be a deal breaker for me

I live a little north of you in the central Mass hills. All of my daughters and I go outside year round, regardless of age. I and two of my girls are asthmatic and, although that means we have to be aware and act accordingly, it doesn't stop us (though, yes, it might influence what we do outside).

Sometimes, if the kids didn't get enough outdoor time was when we REALLY had trouble! Chilly kids are fun to dry off & warm up. Cranky kids are just a pain in the butt.

I understand that it can be a little disconcerting but as long as he's dressed appropriately, having a varied day that includes his outside time is in his best interest.

Wow, that seems kind of miserable. My kids' preschool (ages 3-5) goes out if it's over 32. If it's raining but warm enough they have a big outdoor covered space (quirk of the building).

Actually it's better for them to go outside for a bit every day.
It's when we're cooped up inside together in groups where you get more problems with kids passing germs around and indoor allergens (dust, dust mites, dry air, etc).

"The babies who nap in sub-zero temperatures":

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21537988

When I had my preschool, I did request to parents that they provide weather appropriate clothing-- unless it was storming, we were out ! My son's preschool went one better-- rain pants, rain boots and raincoats were kept at the school for each child. So, they had on their regular clothing, their warm layer (a fleece jacket usually or ski jacket) and the waterproof layer. The kids do get warm running around and playing too. I'd talk to the teachers about maybe implementing a policy that requests parents bring those things, or just tell them that you will be bringing those items yourself and you would like them to ensure your son is fully dressed for the weather before heading outdoors. I made sure my son's rain pants were loose enough to fit comfortably over what he wore. I think with your son's health issues, this waterproofing is the best option given their curriculum of having time outside. Being proactive will set your mind at ease and make sure your son can participate. I'm surprised they haven't taken it on themselves to invite parents to bring those items...

ETA: I should add that here, in Portland, it rains a LOT. I garden in the rain, we walk and hike in the rain...if we never got out in the rain to play, we'd miss a lot of outside time. My preschoolers went out in the rain to play in puddles with sticks and stomping, collecting buckets of water, and we even had fun observing a mild hailstorm from the covered porch. It passed in a moment and it continued to rain steadily after that. Rain happens.

Where I live in Canada we don't keep children inside at school unless the temperature is below -20 F (yes, minus 20, not 20). It is up to the parents to ensure that the children are dressed appropriately for the weather. Children do need to get outside and play in fresh air every day. I would be quite pleased that they are taking the kids out, and I would make sure he has the proper gear to stay warm and dry. Since the staff need to be outdoors with the kids, you can't have some kids stay inside.

My kids and I go outside everyday, even if it's cold, 15. It's good for you! We even play in the rain......and I'm known for bringing towels to parks so they can play on the slide. We wear appropriate clothes and have great fun.

Does your child enjoy his outside time?

I would be happy they are going outside. Now that you know what their rules are, you can make sure you send in appropriate clothes. If it were me, I'd pick up an extra pair of snow pants and leave them there for cold/wet days.

I am the opposite of you. I hate it that my daughter's preschool is always having them play inside due to "bad" weather. I am a true believer of dressing for the weather and getting out every day. Go to an outdoors gear place and get your son awesome winter gear and rain gear. And super warm waterproof boots. Get him smartwool socks. They are the warmest. He will stay warm and have so much fun playing in puddles, building things in the snow, etc. Snowsuits are warmer than separate pants/jackets. REI and Lands End sells some great gear for kids. Fleece pants underneath as well as a warm top and a fleece jacket (for under his rain/snow gear), waterproof mittens, etc. Your son will have a BLAST. (We used to live in Alaska and the kids went outside EVERY day unless it was below 20 below zero)

Of course you have to do what is best for your child and your daycare should respect your wishes. Proper protective clothing that is weather appropriate and a dry change of clothes are very important.
From another perspective, we grew up in Alaska and played outside all winter in sub-zero temps. My sister-in-law just posted a picture of my niece, rosy cheeked, smiling and playing out in the snow in Alaska at twenty below. She was bundled up from head to toe. Different strokes for different folks.

They should be checking that the kids are staying dry and changing clothes/hats/mittens if they are not. Bit I HATED that my son's daycare did not take them out when it was less than around 35 degrees. The local Waldorf took them out if it was above 15 and I thought that was WAY better. I don't think that 30 degrees is in any way dangerous to them for an hour during which time they are supervised. My son's preschool took them out in the rain - they stayed under the overhang if it was a downpour or in the woodchips (out no grass) if it was just damp/drizzling. We always had a change of clothes at the school and he had snow clothing and boots there for winter.

@ Jessica - when it goes up to 50 here in the winter we get excited and wash the cars :)

If your son has wheezing that is exacerbated by the cold I would discuss a plan with your pediatrician.

Here in Maryland, the Office for Childcare (a division of our Maryland State Dept. of Education) states children should be permitted outdoors rain or shine as long as it is above 35 degrees. So it is normal practice to have children (who are properly clothed) outside in rain. That being said, I still wouldn't be too keen if my 3 year old was sitting in wet clothes for who knows how long. Is it possible that you offer to have extra dry clothes on hand on these inclimate weather days so your child can still participate in outdoor activities? I don't suffer from asthma but one thing I do know is that cold air will help the lungs, at least that was the case when I was dealing with many (many many !!!!) nights of being up with croup with my oldest. The freezing cold air cleared her right up and she slept so much better once that cold air was in her lungs....again not a doctor, nor do I play one on tv, just my experience. :o) Good luck!

are you sending the proper outdoor clothing for him? snow pants will keep him dry in the rainy cold. I would send him boots, waterproof coat and snow pants. and make a point of saying "I know you go outside each day and that is fine but I need YOU to make sure he is bundled up properly. snowpants and coat on, boots on and gloves / hat on, buttoned and zipped. If that isn't able to happen them my son is not allowed outside. I am sending in what he needs so I EXPECT him to be dry when he is back inside. If they say they don't really have the manpower to do that then you need to check to see that they are within the state guidelines of caregivers. It is their job to care for the children and part of that is making sure they are properly attired for the outside play. it is ridiculous that the teachers are taking him outside in the cold in the rain. I can see a walk in the cold but not getting on playground equipment that is cold and wet. its just stupid on there part as they will have wet, sick kids all winter long.

why not just get good weatherproof outerwear for your son?
khairete
S.

I would not worry. Ours go out in any weather and seldom wear coats.
If it is freezing, I usually shove a coat at them. They can be wet from play for a long time. Doesn't bother me if it doesn't bother them.

I had problems with wheezing and cold weather and the solution that truly worked was to go out in it and play HARD. That was the way I outgrew it somewhat.

Do not be afraid of cold, damp weather. Embrace it!

Once it reaches a certain temperature in MD, they don't go outside. They go on the side of caution, so my kids are inside a lot in the winter. I'd have a problem with them outside in the rain and cold no matter how old they are.

While it's very typical for any school or preschool to have a cutoff temperature below which the kids stay indoors, I've never seen 15 degrees as that temp. Around here it would be more like 35-40! I can see playing outside in ever-cold New England at lower temperatures but only if it's dry. -Below-freezing temps PLUS wetness equals (1) ice to slip and fall on and (2) kids getting way too chilled, way too fast. The preschool should recognize that a wet kid is much colder, much sooner than one who is just outside in dry, cold weather.

I am very surprised they let them play in the rain -- not because rain is bad per se. I'm mostly surprised that any school would not be worried about injuries. If the kids are playing on any type of play equipment, the school should be thinking about its liability if a kid slips and falls off a wet play structure, or slides off a wet swing while swinging, etc. I'm not a nervous-nelly mom -- in fact I help run challenge courses where kids are doing VERY adventurous things on equipment -- and one of our mantras is "Wet equipment is slippery equipment," period, and we don't run our challenge course even if it's sunny but the equipment is still wet from the previous day's rain. (Not saying the preschool should do the same--but they can dry off their plastic play equipment the next day, and we can't dry off a whole obstacle course!)

If the school persists, you might talk with other parents and see if they are really aware that these kids are going to be taken out even on a day that's below freezing and wet as well. You might find that approaching the school administration with a group of concerned parents will be more effective than just addressing it by yourself. I would be concerned too.

I would not be happy if my DD was cold and wet for a long time. It's one thing to have the kids out and, darn, it's starting to sprinkle. It's another to have them out when it is raining. 15F? Seriously? That's below freezing.

I'm scratching my head because none of the facilities I've had DD in ever spent time out in the rain. Why? So the kids get soaked? DD has been in a daycare, a private preschool and a public elementary school. Indoor recess/playtime at each if it was below freezing or raining. Snow they will still go out in, but you see snow on the ground and can send boots and gear.

Do they not change the kids into dry clothes?

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-hypothermia

I would tell the director that you are overall happy but very surprised at the guidelines. And I would also find out what the guidelines are for other schools and centers in your area as a baseline. If you know that the preschool won't allow kids out in the rain, what is the reasoning for the daycare to do so?

That's about the age where the kids need to be outside to get a change of air in their lungs. Fresh air can clear up health issues faster than a lot of medication.

If your child has issues with asthma, perhaps you should get an inhaler or some other type of medicine for him for the colder months to help him with breathing. It sucks but it will help him in the long run.

Get your son some good winter weather clothing and let him play.

My son used to play in -15 weather when we lived in Quebec and I had to drag him in because he didn't want to come in. I also knitted him a helmet cap for his head so that only his eyes were out, scarves, mittens and slippers for school.

He will be okay.

the other S.

PS Mommas of the newer generations are not used to their kids being out in the elements or playing with others on their own. I grew up in New Jersey and I recall walking to school in snow and rain as the buses only serviced kids outside of the town. We loved it when we got a snow day because the buses couldn't go.

Just to give you a point of reference, my son's preschool (3 - 5 yrs) will go outside if it's above 20, never when it's raining. I would be concerned about his clothing being wet, but I think 20 is a good cut off. Approach them with your concerns, it wouldn't hurt.

In Oklahoma child care regulations we are required to go outside EVERY day. Specifically EVERY day.

Here's a link to our rules and regulations book just in case you don't beleve me.
http://www.okdhs.org/NR/rdonlyres/C###-###-####-C005-45D1...

Section 22. Outdoor safety and play equipment
(c) Playground safety.

(1) Children play outdoors daily when weather conditions do not pose a significant health risk.

My licensing worker specifically said "Hail, cloud to ground lightening, high winds that could break tree limbs or cause debris to fly through the air, sleet, tornado warning. She also said if she came by to do an inspection at our playground time and we were not outside we would be in violation of the rules and regulations and could be instantly closed and our license revoked regardless of the outdoor temperature or weather conditions if they were not a health risk as she had stated above.

Heat was the same, if the area was under a heat warning then the kids were to go outside in the morning and could possibly stay inside for the rest of the day. BUT if we were confused we could call the main office and ask.

She also stated that if a parent said "I don't want my child to go outside today, they aren't feeling well", or "they have a runny nose so I don't want them to go outside" then we were obligated to tell that parent we would be going outside and if kiddo was too sick to go outside then they were too sick to be allowed in child care, good bye see you tomorrow).

**************************************************
Section 25. Care of infants, toddlers, and two-year-olds

(e) Program

(4) Infants and toddlers spend time outdoors daily when weather permits.
(Repeat what is written above)
****************************************************

Your child care center is obeying their licensing laws. They can be closed down if they do not follow their regulations. If they don't take the kids outside they can pay a hefty price. Every child care center and home center in your state has the same rules to go by.

IF another center takes risks and doesn't follow the rules and regulations then what else might they cheat about? I would want to take the kiddo to a place that followed the rules.

What can you do to make sure your child is properly being taken outside? Call your local child care licensing office and ask them if they'll send you a rules and regulations booklet so you'll have one for yourself.

You can also ask them if they'll discuss the outdoor play regulations a bit with you so you can understand their laws a bit better. This way you'll be hearing it from the horses mouth and there won't be any misunderstanding.

15 degrees??? Wow! I would not want my daughter in preschool playing outside in 15 degree weather, or in the rain, or with wet pants! I do live in Arizona though. So we have heat conditions that usually prohibit outdoor play in the summer rather than cold conditions in the winter. I think over 105 and they are not allowed to play outside (same for Elementary School). This Friday my daughter's class is planning a parachute day outside at preschool and it is supposed to be in the low 50's. When I saw that, in the back of my mind I wondered if they will proceed with the activity come Friday when we get our "cold front". I was thinking the kids are going to be cold! Yeah, the mentality of a desert girl. I seriously cannot imagine playing in 15 degree weather.

I get taking them out but not to play in the rain in close to freezing weather and not for an hour 2x a day!

My son is also 2.5yrs old. Their cutoff at his daycare is 25deg. And they NEVER go out in the rain!! I don't mind him being out in the cold if they make sure they put his hat, gloves, and coat on. I agree, good for them to be outdoors. But in daylight, before the temp drops and it gets dark (in my opinion, no need to be running around in the dark at that age) and definitely not in the rain. They could arrange the younger ones go outdoors and hour earlier and the older kids go out later. A light pretty snow would be ok if it meets the 25deg temp cutoff. I would discuss with the director for sure. You are no off base at all!!!

1) Get a Doctor's note from your Pediatrician, per his Asthma that is affected per temperature and weather. I have Asthma, so I know what you mean. Yes, cold weather can trigger it or make it worse.
So, get a Doctor's note, to give to the Daycare. They would then need to follow the Doctor's orders.
- I once went on a trip, during winter time. It was very cold where I went. AND my Asthma, got VERY bad. I ended up having to go to an ER while there. It was not fun. At all. And my Husband and I had to go and find a pharmacy, even if it was on a Sunday, to get my inhaler prescription.
My Asthma did not get triggered because I was out in the rain or cold and wet. It was simply, because of a combination of the cold air AND weather even if I was not, playing IN it, outside. And even though, I was dressed in full winter gear and warm clothing.

2) MOST all daycare/preschools, 'require' that the kids also have an extra set of clothing, on site. So that, if a kid's clothes is soiled/wet etc, the child can change into dry clean clothes. And the dirty clothing is sent home. That same day.
Does your Daycare do this?
If not, just take an extra set of clothing to your son's Daycare, put it in a bag and label the bag AND his clothing, with a Sharpie pen. Hand it over to the Daycare, and it should be kept in his cubby etc. and tell the Daycare that his extra set of clothing is to be used, per situations if/when he gets wet or his clothes dirty beyond normal comfort or weather.

I have to tell you, I think that is purely ridiculous. It is recommended that kids get at least one hour of outdoor play per day even if it is cold, but 15 degrees? Come on. Do any of us want to be outside for an hour in 15 degree weather. I think not! They should also be inside on rainy days, and shouldn't be playing outside in the dark! Don't they have a motor room or something of that nature they can use instead at those cold, rainy, dark times? I would totally complain and work on getting this changed. I would be appalled if my daughter's daycare operated in this way.

the outdoor rules do vary for the climate you live in.. my sis in law lives in dallas.. her kids do not go outside if it is below 35 degrees.

my friend in Alaska.. told me her kids go outside for recess unless it is below zero...!!..

but in florida.. they often don't go outside cause it is too hot..

in elementary school in Michigan.. kids go out if it is above 20 -- if it is between 15 and 20.. they go out depending on the wind chill.

they do not go out in the rain. as they would be all wet and track mud everywhere.

I would clarify the policy on outdoor time.. I would be ok with them outside in a light summer drizzle.. but not int he cold dark December rain.