At What Temps Do You Require...?

[daycarediva]

sweatshirt?
fall jacket?
winter coat?
shorts/summer gear?
water play gear?

I am adding specific temperatures to my parent handbook and sending out a revision notice. 40* here this AM and unable to do our morning circle/outside even though it's a messy craft day because two kids are in shorts and tshirts.

[Blackcat31]

I don't require any type of clothing based on actual temps. Most my parents are pretty familiar with the seasons here and how kids should be dressed.

Most of our seasons require a jacket in the morning but not later in the day. (Unless it is winter). My parents all bring their child in layers so their child can uncover or cover up as necessary.

Most also keep a lightweight jacket or sweatshirt in their child's basket too.

Honestly, as a parent I would be SUPER turned off if my child care provider actually listed temps in which I am suppose to bring a jacket or not.

I totally understand why you are wanting to do this and I get how inconvenient it is when ONE kid and how they are dressed effects the entire routine but this is where I think the verbal communication needs to come into play.

Tell the parents we do circle and craft outside, please bring a jacket tomorrow or your child won't be allowed to participate. I think talking ot them about this is a much better alternative than having to spell it out in your handbook. I don't know, that just kind of comes across as a bit nit-picky and micro-managing IMHO.

[daycarediva]

I know it sounds that way. I really do not know what else to do. I have talked to the parents, told them what is required, etc until I am blue in the face. I may not list actual temps, but require them to keep a spare sweatshirt here starting in fall and then send another notice saying Ok winter wear everyday now?

Here is my problem:
dcb #1 comes underdressed everyday, he has been here since infancy, and it has ALWAYS been this way. (Like onesie in winter, covered up in an infant snow suit) He has had flip flops on in late fall, and last year I ended up buying him a pair of snowpants because I finally came to the realization that he didn't have any. He is almost the same size as my younger son so that has helped me enable Mom. Money is NOT an issue, but I now have too many kids to be juggling this. It is an occassional problem with 3 other parets. She actually SAID to another dcp yesterday at drop off "Oh don't worry, ****** has extra sweatshirts that will fit him." I had to say in front of three parents that No, I actually don't and if it's cold enough to have a sweatshirt on they need to come wearing one.

Today Mom came dressed in dress pants, heels, long sleeve dress shirt & blazer. Dcb had on tank top, shorts and flip flops. (It was 45*!!!) Mom commented on how chilly it was out and I had to say Oh I bet DCB is pretty cold. We go outside in about 20 minutes, Im not sure he will be warm enough, do you have a coat in the car? (no, of course not)

It isn't my responsibility to be supplying coats, hats, gloves, etc. I DO have what my kids have outgrown last year in case something is TRULY forgotten.

(sorry for the book)

[Blackcat31]

I know it sounds that way. I really do not know what else to do. I have talked to the parents, told them what is required, etc until I am blue in the face. I may not list actual temps, but require them to keep a spare sweatshirt here starting in fall and then send another notice saying Ok winter wear everyday now?

Here is my problem:
dcb #1 comes underdressed everyday, he has been here since infancy, and it has ALWAYS been this way. (Like onesie in winter, covered up in an infant snow suit) He has had flip flops on in late fall, and last year I ended up buying him a pair of snowpants because I finally came to the realization that he didn't have any. He is almost the same size as my younger son so that has helped me enable Mom. Money is NOT an issue, but I now have too many kids to be juggling this. It is an occassional problem with 3 other parets. She actually SAID to another dcp yesterday at drop off "Oh don't worry, ****** has extra sweatshirts that will fit him." I had to say in front of three parents that No, I actually don't and if it's cold enough to have a sweatshirt on they need to come wearing one.

Today Mom came dressed in dress pants, heels, long sleeve dress shirt & blazer. Dcb had on tank top, shorts and flip flops. (It was 45*!!!) Mom commented on how chilly it was out and I had to say Oh I bet DCB is pretty cold. We go outside in about 20 minutes, Im not sure he will be warm enough, do you have a coat in the car? (no, of course not)

It isn't my responsibility to be supplying coats, hats, gloves, etc. I DO have what my kids have outgrown last year in case something is TRULY forgotten.

(sorry for the book)

I 110% gree that it isn't your job or your responsibilty to supply the kids with the correct clothing.

...and YES! I would absolutely require them to keep extra clothing that is seasonally appropriate at care. If they aren't dressed for the season or the weather, really do NOT feel badly about either turning them away at the door (especially if you have already discussed this with them) or calling them and asking them to run a jacket by or come get their child.

Once you give the issue back to who it actually belongs to, you will see a change in behavior guaranteed! I have called a parent at work before and said "We are going outside and Jimmy isn't dressed right so could you come pick him up since I can't take him outside without a coat and all the other kids are waiting to go. See you in a few minutes."

It is amazing how they never ever forget to bring enough layers or correct clothing after that.

[MaritimeMummy]

sweatshirt?
fall jacket?
winter coat?
shorts/summer gear?
water play gear?

I am adding specific temperatures to my parent handbook and sending out a revision notice. 40* here this AM and unable to do our morning circle/outside even though it's a messy craft day because two kids are in shorts and tshirts.

Honestly? I use my judgement. And I trust that the parents use their good, common sense as well.

My parents, since my "scattered" parent has left, have all been extremely sensible with dressing their children. Like, now it's getting very cold in the mornings but really warms up in the afternoons. My parents dress their kids in a fall coat or a warm hoodie, pants, and sneakers. They usually bring a pair of sandals for later in the day when it's nice. and I always have a pair of shorts in their box.

When it gets cold, I just ask them to bring hats, mittens, a sweater, and a spare pair of socks for their bin to keep here, and they will bring snow pants and a coat every day. In the summer, they leave summer apparel swim suits for water play. But it has happened where it's unexpectedly rained during daycare hours and then cleared off, but it's been so soaking wet outside and none of the kids came prepared with rain boots, so we don't go out. It's within reason...I understand things happen, and I don't force kids to go out if they aren't properly dressed.

[Country Kids]

I don't have temps I require clothing at but a good look at the weather-. It still doesn't work!

Its the inbetween seasons that throw my parents off. Like now where we are between summer/fall. Its in the 90-100 in the afternoon here but cool in the mornings. I have children arriving with winter parka's on and shorts! Another one had on heavy leggings and a winter coat and another one heavy sweats.

Its cool, not cold!!! We change after morning play outside and luckily we still have shorts to change into but next week I will be putting all the winter clothing on them as that is what will be in their cubbies. Suppose to be hot still next week.

A very light sweater/windbreaker would work but usually by 8:00 its warmed up quite a bit so they don't even need those. It really astounds me-