First Winter with Daycare

[jenboo]

I'm still very new to winter and this is my first winter with the daycare.
I'm getting ready to send out a winter newsletter and need help.
When do you stay inside?
What clothing and shoes do you require?
Do they bring everything daily or do you require them to leave everthing?
I need all our tips!!

It gets cold here (low teens) but we dont get tons of snow.

Also, I will have 10 kids under 2 . What do you do with the infants and non walkers when there is snow or the ground is wet??
Thanks!!

[nothingwithoutjoy]

I'm still very new to winter and this is my first winter with the daycare.
I'm getting ready to send out a winter newsletter and need help.
When do you stay inside?

Only if the weather report says it's dangerous to be outside. We go out in almost everything; just vary how long we stay out.

What clothing and shoes do you require?

Snowpants and coat, or snowsuit (preferred). Hat, good waterproof mittens, boots. I like kids to wear wool longjohns, wool socks, and neckwarmers, too, but those are suggestions, not requirements.

Do they bring everything daily or do you require them to leave everthing?

I prefer for them to leave stuff if they can, because it means far less forgotten items.

I need all our tips!!

Spend a lot of time up front teaching kids to get on as much as they can by themselves, so over time, you're just finishing up, not dressing everyone. Teach the order of how things go on most efficiently. Have big kids help littler kids.

It gets cold here (low teens) but we dont get tons of snow.

Also, I will have 10 kids under 2 . What do you do with the infants and non walkers when there is snow or the ground is wet??
Thanks!!

Wool blanket on the ground, or tarp, and then wool blanket. Or a wading pool on top of the snow. Adult wool socks on top of babies' socks, shoes, snowsuit, or whatever, for extra warmth. Walks, with nonwalkers in strollers. Toddler sleds, with babies bundled up in a blanket, with bigger kids pulling them around the yard. Naptime while you're outside (I have even set up pack-and-plays on top of the snow for a nap).

[jenboo]

Only if the weather report says it's dangerous to be outside. We go out in almost everything; just vary how long we stay out.

Snowpants and coat, or snowsuit (preferred). Hat, good waterproof mittens, boots. I like kids to wear wool longjohns, wool socks, and neckwarmers, too, but those are suggestions, not requirements.

I prefer for them to leave stuff if they can, because it means far less forgotten items.

Spend a lot of time up front teaching kids to get on as much as they can by themselves, so over time, you're just finishing up, not dressing everyone. Teach the order of how things go on most efficiently. Have big kids help littler kids.

Wool blanket on the ground, or tarp, and then wool blanket. Or a wading pool on top of the snow. Adult wool socks on top of babies' socks, shoes, snowsuit, or whatever, for extra warmth. Walks, with nonwalkers in strollers. Toddler sleds, with babies bundled up in a blanket, with bigger kids pulling them around the yard. Naptime while you're outside (I have even set up pack-and-plays on top of the snow for a nap).

Awesome! This is very helpful!

[childcaremom]

I do the same. I don't have under 1s so no advice for infants. My current group is all between 15 mos and 2 years and we go out all the time, twice a day, year round.

I specifically ask for 2 piece outfits (no one piece outfits). I require at least 3 pairs of mitts here each day. No scarves. Boots are pull on style: no velcro or zippers. Stuff can go back and forth but it is best left so it isn't forgotten. I call for pick up or turn away at door if they aren't prepared.

I don't lay anything on the ground. We go out in all weather and the kids get wet. It may mean that we shorten the length of our outdoor time but we always go out.

[Ariana]

I have a lower ratio so I am not too picky about suits. Any full suit will do. Hats that fit over the ears (cannot tell you how many times parents bring stupid cutesy hats that sit on top of their heads ). Neckwarmers, mittens that are waterproof and have thumbs. If a child has a tendency to pull their mitts off I ask the parents to buy long elbow length mittens for them. Suits etc go back and forth but I have lots of spares if something is forgotten.

I am in Canada so we stay inside if it is colder than -17C for kids under 2. This year my kids are over 2 so I will likely go out to -21C no idea what that is in farhenheit.

For non walkers I usually sit them in the snow with shovels and pull them around on a sled and encourage them to crawl around. I do not take infants under a year.

I also bought a large shoe rack that I can place over my furnace vent to dry the clothes so we get out more than once.

[jenboo]

I do the same. I don't have under 1s so no advice for infants. My current group is all between 15 mos and 2 years and we go out all the time, twice a day, year round.

I specifically ask for 2 piece outfits (no one piece outfits). I require at least 3 pairs of mitts here each day. No scarves. Boots are pull on style: no velcro or zippers. Stuff can go back and forth but it is best left so it isn't forgotten. I call for pick up or turn away at door if they aren't prepared.

I don't lay anything on the ground. We go out in all weather and the kids get wet. It may mean that we shorten the length of our outdoor time but we always go out.

Why two piece outfits instead of one?

[mommyneedsadayoff]

Why two piece outfits instead of one?

Maybe for potty training?

I live in ND, so we go out as much as possible but high winds and high wind chills are pretty much the only thing that prevents outside time.

As others said: Snow suit, warm coat, gloves, and hat. If I have very little infants, outdoor time is scheduled during morning nap. For slightly older infants, I do socks on the hands and since I only take one or two at a time, they get a little more one on one time while we explore the winter wonderland

Temp wise really varies by area. It can be 15 degrees here, yet a great dya to be outside, but it can also be 40 degrees and cloudy with wind, so it is miserable and cold out. I just use my own body temp to regulate. I dress myself similar (if not a little cooler as I run hot), so if I am cold, they are cold and it's time to go in.

[finsup]

I'm still very new to winter and this is my first winter with the daycare.
I'm getting ready to send out a winter newsletter and need help.
When do you stay inside?
What clothing and shoes do you require?
Do they bring everything daily or do you require them to leave everthing?
I need all our tips!!

It gets cold here (low teens) but we dont get tons of snow.

Also, I will have 10 kids under 2 . What do you do with the infants and non walkers when there is snow or the ground is wet??
Thanks!!

We're in Maine so it gets pretty cold, and lots of snow. I don't have a temp that we go by though.the wind chill is the biggest factor. Parents know I don't *want* to keep them in, so if I do, it's justified .

I provide everything gear wise. Nothing gets lost or forgotten this way. It's theirs for the season. They will need to send anything they want them wearing home with them though. I do snowsuits for the 2 and under, regular winter gear for the big kids.

There has never not been a time where I haven't had an infant here . Actually, my two infants just turned 1 within a month of each other and this is my "oldest" group yet. I have the non walkers and infants in the wagon or sleds when the ground is too wet/cold/snowy.

[Puddleduck]

I'm in Ontario, Canada and I'm a total wuss when it comes to cold weather. We go out till -10 but stay in when it's colder than that or if I think the snow is too high. Ive spent a lot of money on indoor gross motor toys to make up for it, so the kids still get lots of exercise.

[Boymom]

I'm in Ontario, Canada and I'm a total wuss when it comes to cold weather. We go out till -10 but stay in when it's colder than that or if I think the snow is too high. Ive spent a lot of money on indoor gross motor toys to make up for it, so the kids still get lots of exercise.

-10!!!!!!! I would simply DIE if I lived up there :: The coldest it gets here is about 25*F and that's beyond cold to me!

[childcaremom]

Why two piece outfits instead of one?

I hate one piece.

I find it easier for kids to learn to put on their own outdoor stuff if it's two piece. If they need my assistance it is also easier for me to do it this way. Also I find one piece suits tend to ride up the arms, or the legs, or both.

[Puddleduck]

Sorry! -10 meaning 14 Fahrenheit

[jenboo]

I hate one piece.

I find it easier for kids to learn to put on their own outdoor stuff if it's two piece. If they need my assistance it is also easier for me to do it this way. Also I find one piece suits tend to ride up the arms, or the legs, or both.

ah ok!! thanks

[Blackcat31]

-10!!!!!!! I would simply DIE if I lived up there :: The coldest it gets here is about 25*F and that's beyond cold to me!

-10.... ::

[LysesKids]

-10!!!!!!! I would simply DIE if I lived up there :: The coldest it gets here is about 25*F and that's beyond cold to me!

I think her -10 is celsius not Fahrenheit . In the states I'm not sure any provider takes kids out in that weather except maybe Alaska