When to Go Outside

[Unregistered]

We never have a problem going outside but this year and for about the next 4, I will have kinders. With the time they leave for school and the activities I'm doing in the morning we aren't getting our outdoor time. State regs. state an hour a day outdoor time while in care.

I'm also participating in our states STARS program and with that I have to do a curriculum. I do a curriculum anyway but before I didn't have to rush through it to get our outdoor time.

Here's how my schedule will look:

6:30-8:00=arrivals (Free Play)
7:30=SA breakfast time (they have all arrived here by then)
8:00=Preschoolers breakfast time
8:20=SA to bus
8:30-11:00=Preschool
11:00=Start lunch, washing hands, watch an educational show
11:30-11:45=Eat lunch
11:45=Wash Hands/head for the bus
12:00=Get on the bus

Now at 12;00 we could go outside for an hour but......my kinders are getting no outdoor time! Possibly 15 min at recess-

So anyone have any suggestions on how to fit in an hour of outdoor time in the morning while everyone is here?

[blandino]

You could play outside during AM free play. Or Do some of your activities outside. We do art/circle time outside sometimes.

[itlw8]

You have 2 1/2 hours of preschool and 1/2 hour of lunch prep. 2 1/2 hours of what ? all teacher directed curriculum" That is too much. Your outdoor time should be in that 3 hour block of time. do your lunch prep ahead so all you do is heat it and serve. They do not need to watch tv every day.

Lots of learning goes on outdoors also.

[Unregistered]

You could play outside during AM free play. Or Do some of your activities outside. We do art/circle time outside sometimes.

I have kids arriving though up till 8:00 so they still wouldn't get their outdoor playtime. My one kinder some days won't be here till 9:30.

Also, we have no covered area so doing activities would be hard when we get lots of rain here. Poured all day on Sunday to the point we were getting flashflood warnings.

[SilverSabre25]

I would include outdoor time in the 2.5 hour preschool block. Personally I go for an hour of outdoor time in the AM and an hour in the PM as well, in good weather.

[itlw8]

and you go out again after nap

[Unregistered]

You have 2 1/2 hours of preschool and 1/2 hour of lunch prep. 2 1/2 hours of what ? all teacher directed curriculum" That is too much. Your outdoor time should be in that 3 hour block of time. do your lunch prep ahead so all you do is heat it and serve. They do not need to watch tv every day.

Lots of learning goes on outdoors also.

No, not all teacher led but when we do projects and such it does take awhile! Art projects, reading, puzzles, games, etc. takes awhile when you don't want to rush through them.

Believe me-I'm all about being outdoors! I'm fighting our STARS program because we have to have a 12 month curriculum which includes anything we do outside! I have set up an entire classroom outside also. I'm the old school of just let them play (inside and out) but the STARS program wants adults interacting constantly.

Also, I don't always serve a "heat it and serve" type lunch. So by the time I prep lunch, wash hands, bathroom time/diaper changes, yes a 1/2 an hour has gone by.

[Unregistered]

My SA (including kinders) get off the bus at 3:45. They come and have a snack and are picked up by 4:15. All my kiddos but one are gone by 4:30.

I also forgot that this year on Wednesdays the Kinders will be picked up at 11:00 for school because of earlier release day and back by 2:45. That is the one day afterschool would work.

[blandino]

I have kids arriving though up till 8:00 so they still wouldn't get their outdoor playtime. My one kinder some days won't be here till 9:30.

Also, we have no covered area so doing activities would be hard when we get lots of rain here. Poured all day on Sunday to the point we were getting flashflood warnings.

I don't bunk licensing regs mean that each child needs to get 1 hour. I think it means that you, as a daycare, are outside for an hour. If a child comes during the last 15 min of my outdoor time, they only get 15 min of outdoor time that day.

[Unregistered]

I do preschool from 9-10 including craft and outside from 10-11.

I do all the prep work ahead of time so preschool is circle time, short lesson, and a craft. If Rey need more time on their craft they can do it after lunch before nap.

[spud912]

I mean this in the nicest of ways , but it sounds like every suggestion people give you have a reason why it won't work. It's almost as if you would rather stay inside and do the preschool activities , which is understandable ....it sounds like you truly enjoy that aspect! However, I personally think outside time in this age group (or any for that matter) is more important than anything education related! Besides, there are sooo many educational experiences outside your children are missing out on !

From the sounds of it, you need to save up or do what is necessary and get your outdoor space to be compatible with children. First, I would invest in a canopy of some sort (either store-bought or built) for inclement weather. Second, I would invest in things that can be used for your preschool lessons....perhaps a picnic bench (or two depending on how many children you watch), maybe a playhouse, build a cheapo "mud" kitchen, a sand/water table (or bins filled with sand and water on a table or stand). Ikea also has the art easels for $15....I would just put a sealant on the wood. All of this can be built by you or purchased on Craigslist for very little investment. You can create centers outside and then just continue your preschool lessons outside. I actually prefer sensory play and arts and crafts outside....less mess to clean up! Games are also great for outside. Instead of counting bears or something similar, you can count rocks....there are endless possibilities .

Plus, one of the most essential learning areas for young children are their large motor skills. They won't utilize these muscles that much inside...they need space to run and be active!

I hope I helped!

[itlw8]

Yes it means you provide a minimum of 1 hour it does not mean you wait to have everyone do the 1 hour. As far as heat and serve I mean if you make a casserole you do it the night before and pop it in the oven. meat loaf? it is ready to go I the oven to bake. If I am going to sauté chicken breast it is cut into chunks and it takes 5 minutes to sauté while the veggies heat.

Check again your STARS I thought they were about developmentaly appropriate practice. If so they so not want you leading the activities the whole time. Yes you are to be involved. following their lead , providing materials to build on what they are exploring, asking questions, answering questions but not leading the majority of the time.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

You have 2 1/2 hours of preschool and 1/2 hour of lunch prep. 2 1/2 hours of what ? all teacher directed curriculum" That is too much. Your outdoor time should be in that 3 hour block of time. do your lunch prep ahead so all you do is heat it and serve. They do not need to watch tv every day.

Lots of learning goes on outdoors also.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

No, not all teacher led but when we do projects and such it does take awhile! Art projects, reading, puzzles, games, etc. takes awhile when you don't want to rush through them.

Believe me-I'm all about being outdoors! I'm fighting our STARS program because we have to have a 12 month curriculum which includes anything we do outside! I have set up an entire classroom outside also. I'm the old school of just let them play (inside and out) but the STARS program wants adults interacting constantly.

Also, I don't always serve a "heat it and serve" type lunch. So by the time I prep lunch, wash hands, bathroom time/diaper changes, yes a 1/2 an hour has gone by.

I rotate through math activities and one of those is puzzles. We do that after breakfast in the morning time. You could do that as a wrap up activity to the end of free play. Read to them during meals if you need to cut corners. Do art projects outdoors or put a time limit on them for the morning time and those that aren't finished can complete them later in the day. Games can be done outdoors. Prep lunch before the day begins if you can.

[spinnymarie]

Maybe you could split the hour in half? I'd try a half hour around 8:20, when some kids are going outside for the bus anyway, and a half hour before lunch. Maybe 8:15 - 8:45 and 10:30 to 11:00. Kids could finish up some of the preschool activities before lunch if they needed, and your preschool time doesn't get cut into quite as much.