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12/27/00
Question 53
Dear Preschool Teacher,
I teach in Head start. Now that the weather
is getting colder, parents don't want their children outside. Our
policy is to take them out every day unless it is raining or bitterly
cold. I thought there was a certain temperature to go by but no one
seems to know what it actually is. I had a very irate parent call and
our coordinator told her we don't take them out below 30 degrees, but
we do. I asked our former Director and she said we take
them out unless they have pneumonia or chicken pox, in which case
they wouldn't be there anyway. Is there an article or something I can
share with parents showing them that going outside doesn't make them
sick?
Out in the cold
Dear Out in The Cold,
If you are licensed, there is probably
a regulation stating when to go outdoors. Here in Ontario,
Canada, children are required to go outdoors for 1 hour in the morning
and in the afternoon. At my center, if it is below zero we use
discretion in deciding about going out. If it is sunny and snowy
but cold, the kids enjoy the outdoor time. If it is windy and damp,
they just cry, so we do an alternate gross motor activity.
What we tell parents who
complain about winter playtime is that it is a licensing requirement
and if the child is well enough to be at the center they must
participate in all activities and that the fresh air is good for
children and it gets them out of the classroom where, in fact, all the
germs hibernate since the heat is on and the windows are closed!
We also tell parents their
kids eat, participate and will sleep better with fresh air and
exercise. However, if a child has been off sick and returns with
prescription medication
we often agree to keep the child indoors for a day or two.
We all know that you don't get sick
playing outdoors, but with lots of clothing and the long dressing
process in group care, kids do get overheated and sweaty which
can lead to chilling.
By the way, an hour
outdoors is often too much in the winter so we include the dressing
time as part of the hour!
So, pray for snow and sunshine and everything will be a lot easier!
Shelley
"Ask The Preschool Teacher
Staff"
Dear Out in The Cold,
My advice to you is to check with your state
licensing
department. I know that in my state, children go outside
everyday unless it is raining or the weather forecast calls for a
"winter weather advisory" due to extremely low temps or wind
chill factors. I am not sure what the exact degree is in which
the children must remain indoors - fortunately it never really gets
that cold where I live! Our policy stated that "children
will be going outside everyday, and if they are "too sick to go
outside, then they are too sick to be at school." I suggest
you check with your state regulations in order to make a policy for
your
program. Good Luck!
Jill
"Ask The Preschool
Teacher Staff"
Dear Out in The Cold,
I also work for a Head Start program, but I
have not heard them say we have a lowest temperature that we
will take them outside. However the public schools do have a low
temperature for their children. I believe the temperature for
them is 32 degrees. In my room we can't take them out every day
at all, but we have a gym where we have large motor play. Tell
the parents that going outside actually kills the germs that make them
sick. They are worse off if confined indoors for long periods of time.
It doesn't hurt the children to spend 5 minutes outside if it isn't a
low wind chill.
The best source for the information would be
your licensing agency. Or maybe a pediatrician could be invited
to a parent meeting.
Jackie
"Ask The Preschool
Teacher Staff"
Dear Out in The Cold,
We
have the same policy at the center that I work at. We are a private
center and we always take the children outside unless it is raining or
very cold.
The parents know this and they need to
be sure that their child has a warm coat, hat, mittens, snow pants and
boots. I don't know myself if there is a specific temperature that
should be used, but I think my son's elementary school goes by a 14
degree or below rule where this is when they stay inside.
Lisa
"Ask The Preschool
Teacher Staff"
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