Outside time

bcbuzzafsu · November 2013

Is it reasonable for me to expect that DS should have outside playtime everyday, weather permitting of course, at day care? Outside time is "scheduled" everyday, but sometimes when I pick him up they didn't go outside because:

Not everyone brought a jacket
It's too dark/cold/shady on the side of the building the play area is on
They didn't get around to it today

My son loves to play outside and as we live in the deep south, we can swing it all year long. I was upset enough about this that I went and took a pregnancy test to rule out crazy-pregnancy-brain. I'm thinking of moving him someplace else, but I don't know that a new place would be any better. I just hate the thought that some days he never gets to leave the same room. Am I being nutty? FWP, I know.

ETA: He is 16 months old.

mb314 · November 2013

I expect that my son plays outside everyday, weather permitting. I don't think you are being unreasonable to expect it. I don't specifically ask if he plays outside everyday, I just assume that he does.

I live in the south too, and I don't think being in the shade is a problem this time of the year. It's not that cold.

I would say something to the director. If the excuse is not everyone has a jacket, is there a way that the kids that do have jackets can go outside (splitting the classroom up)? Or can parents be asked to always have a jacket on hand September - May because weather can change suddenly?

jf198400 · November 2013

We also have outside time twice everyday. It is part of their schedule and is only skipped if there is extreme weather or a schoolwide special event at that time.

jlaOK · November 2013

I think that kids definitely need outside/play time. Our daycare doesn't go outside below freezing, above 100 degrees, and on rainy days. They have a gym, however, and so the kids will at the very least go in there and run around.

MNmama7112 · November 2013

I think if the kids are getting outside most days, then it's not a big deal they stay in the other days. But if more often than not they're inside (and not for weather-related reasons), then I'd probably take issue with that. Especially since it's scheduled into the day. That might've been a reason that parents chose that specific daycare, so I'd make sure they're following through on what they said they offer your kiddo. But like I said, an occasional missed day here or there wouldn't bother me as long as they're getting outside most days.

cedenton · November 2013

I'd talk to the director about it if it's infrequent enough to really be an issue. Part of the reason we just changed daycares was because the playgrounds were out of order at the old one and they didn't know when they'd be fixed. They did sometimes still just go outside.
The new daycare told me there was an hour of outside time EVERY DAY unless it was pouring rain. Apparently they lied and I am annoyed. Monday it was 15 minutes. I have a feeling it has to do with the infants/young toddlers makeup of the class. He'll be changing rooms in a few months so I'm debating just waiting to see what happens in the next room.

bcbuzzafsu · November 2013

Thank you ladies! I'm going to talk to his teacher today and if she is not taking him outside to play maybe he could go with the older group.

Sophiasmummy · November 2013

Here, we are required (by the ministry that does licensing) to go outside 2 hours a day. Typically broken up into an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. Of course staying inside during extreme heat/cold and rain. We go outside even if the children are not dressed appropriately (although we do try to find spare clothing in the centre whenever possible to supplement). Even when its hot/cold out we try to get out for at least a few minutes. So yes, I do think daily outdoor time is a reasonable expectation.

emberlee3 · November 2013

In many states, outside time is required as long there is no inclement weather. In my state, that is rain or temperature over 95 or under 30 F (including heat index/wind chill).

mamaHippo23 · November 2013

I think their excuses sound pretty lame and show that going outside every day is not really a priority. I think it's unfair to both the kids and staff to stay inside when they don't have to. When I worked at an early childhood center, I practically counted the minutes until outside time because teachers need the fresh air too and we want the kids to run around and get their insanity out. I can't believe the teachers at his daycare don't mind keeping the kids inside all day with all that crazy energy.

Samiantha101 · November 2013

Yes, outside is absolutely necessary. My dd's room goes outside twice a day, weather permitting. If the weather doesn't allow it, they go to the gym. I absolutely would expect my daycare to have plenty of outside time permitted daily.

dizzycooks · November 2013

I Find it really funny that it seems common that many of your kids don't go out if its under freezing. Our kids go out anytime it's above 10 degrees with the windchill. Twice daily, between 30 and 60 minutes each time. We are expected to send appropriate clothing. I would imagine if someone was missing something they would lend them a coat for the day and make a note on their chart. I absolutely this all the kids (minus infants) should be outside daily.

LoCarb · November 2013

Yes, outside time should be daily weather permitting. The teachers need to have a schedule instead of 'not getting around to it' and ask parents to leave jackets in cubbies in case temperature drops during the day. They sound like BS excuses.

Karla CS · November 2013

dizzykates said:

I Find it really funny that it seems common that many of your kids don't go out if its under freezing. Our kids go out anytime it's above 10 degrees with the windchill. Twice daily, between 30 and 60 minutes each time. We are expected to send appropriate clothing. I would imagine if someone was missing something they would lend them a coat for the day and make a note on their chart. I absolutely this all the kids (minus infants) should be outside daily.

This sounds insane to me! But that's because I'm in CA, and a 'cold' day for us is under 50

.

I definitely agree, the kiddos should be going outside. To use the excuse of some kids forgetting jackets only serves to punish those that did. Our center always has backup clothes - they're definitely not anything you'd want to keep or voluntarily dress your kid in, but they serve their purpose.

PseudoMama · November 2013

We just switched daycares and one of the things that made me mad about the old one was that during a really great weather week they didn't let the kids out on the playground all week except for once. Really, really sad IMO. We just switched daycares. I think the staff was too lazy. No excuse.

MagickalNarwhal · November 2013

Our licensing requires outdoors time as well. It's totally not unreasonable to want it and I agree those reasons are a little ridiculous.

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