First Winter with Daycare

[Blackcat31]

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

-10C is 14F

We go outside in temps much lower than that.

If you Google "coldest places" you get this:

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/photos/7-of-the-coldest-places-in-the-world-to-live/international

(I live in a neighboring community) its not unusual for temps to stay below zero here most the winter.

Other than the arctic circle and a couple high spots in the mountains, MN is COLD
-60F actual temp in 1996.

I posted a picture of my car thermometer last year reading -45F actual temp.

Most places arent like this and I totally understand acclimating to the areas we live in (whats cold to one isnt to another) but I do take my kiddos out (infants too) almost all winter. We dress smart and just get used to it.

[daycare]

-10.... ::

That's colder than my FREEZER

[TheMisplacedMidwestMom]

In the states I'm not sure any provider takes kids out in that weather except maybe Alaska

I am in Alaska, but only on my second winter. We went out today and it was low double digits, not nearly as bad as it sounds. If it continues to be anything like last winter, there is little wind and that is AMAZING. Coming from the midwest where even 35 could be downright miserable because of the wind.

[Josiegirl]

Great advice already but want to add a tip I got from here for little ones who do NOT keep their mittens on....put their mittens on, then socks over them, THEN put on their coats. It was a livesaver last year for my 1 yos.

Question....how do you take out infants too young to sit up? I'll have a 3 month old, I'm thinking a front pack carrier?

[Blackcat31]

Great advice already but want to add a tip I got from here for little ones who do NOT keep their mittens on....put their mittens on, then socks over them, THEN put on their coats. It was a livesaver last year for my 1 yos.

Question....how do you take out infants too young to sit up? I'll have a 3 month old, I'm thinking a front pack carrier?

Under 6 months, I use a front carrier or sling under my coat.

Over 6 months and I use the stroller or an exersaucer.

[Unregistered]

I take kids one and up. We go out once a day in winter. I'm in the upper Midwest. Under 20, even under 25 we don't go out. I live in a protected valley so not much wind if any. That makes a difference.

I won't do snow suits! Ugh! I do boots, mittens, hats, coats. A scarf is great too. We play on the driveway, deck, and sidewalk. They can dump snow onto the driveway or I do. They run around, they get fresh air, they discover snow. It's all good!

Did I say I hate snow suits? Ugh! Less wet stuff when we get back inside too. If I have a non-walker they are in a stroller. Sometimes I do take a 9 month old. Or they may just be a later walker.

Clothing can stay or go back and forth. I am one who keeps extras here. I have extra hats and mittens.

[Max]

I also live by BC

Our past provider required a set of snow pants to be left at DC for the winter and kids were supposed to come with everything else each day (boots, jacket, hat, gloves).

It worked well, I loved it and plan to use that plan when I open my DC. The stuff we were supposed to bring daily, we already needed to put on my son each morning anyways (no attached garage) to keep him warm.

She had extra gloves too in case anyone forgot or had mittens instead of gloves and it was wet snow.

[Play Care]

For my non walkers, I use the stroller. I stay on our driveway while the walkers play in the snow.

We are not out that long so they don't mind. Also, I can cover the whole stroller with a blanket to keep wind and cold out.

Easy, they still get fresh air, and they don't get too cold and wet. happyface

[jenboo]

I also live by BC

Our past provider required a set of snow pants to be left at DC for the winter and kids were supposed to come with everything else each day (boots, jacket, hat, gloves).

It worked well, I loved it and plan to use that plan when I open my DC. The stuff we were supposed to bring daily, we already needed to put on my son each morning anyways (no attached garage) to keep him warm.

She had extra gloves too in case anyone forgot or had mittens instead of gloves and it was wet snow.

I don't trust my parents with this. It was 30° at drop off yesterday and kids came jackets. They have jackets here but that drive was freezing. They were so cold when they came in. They finally are starting to show up with socks on.

[Ariana]

This thread makes me laugh :: Y'all are so spoiled living down there in the sun and warmth

[Blackcat31]

I also live by BC

Sort of... You technically live in northern Iowa... just kidding but you are still a couple hours/a few hundred miles south of me.

Your weather tends to be about 2 weeks behind us..

This thread makes me laugh :: Y'all are so spoiled living down there in the sun and warmth

:: You are still south of me

[Boymom]

-10.... ::

Uh uh! That's way too cold for this Texas gal! I seriously get mad when it's "cold" here. I would much rather be in 100 degrees than 25 degrees!

[Ariana]

:: You are still south of me

Not by much! Lol. We will be cold together this winter. It is supposed to be a doozy

[debbiedoeszip]

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.

I'm in Canada too (southeastern Ontario) and I'm having an issue with the daycare kids being brought under-dressed. We don't have snow yet and might not until January, but it's still pretty cold (-5C to 5C most mornings). The kids are being brought in rubber boots and windbreakers, and it's just not warm enough for the amount of outdoor time at daycare. I'm thinking of getting some outdoor wear from Value Village (or some other thrift store) for them to wear until their parents can be persuaded to get some winter gear of their own.

Two of my daycare families don't spend a huge amount of time outside so for them this is fine, and my other family is from Cuba and still isn't quite understanding what Canadian climate is all about (the footwear they bring for their 12 month old are glorified slippers, not even proper shoes let alone winter boots). All of the families can afford proper clothes but just aren't understanding what is needed when autumn is more like winter.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

I have noticed parents underdressing kids in the past...I think a lot of it stems from the fact that they're outside themselves just long enough to get from the car to the house, and spend the rest of the day in an overheated office, while we're outside for hours. I make a big deal about the difference in my handbook and in change-of-season emails.

Also, I expect and use snowsuits for much of the year when there is no snow. Before the snow, we use them for warmth. After the snow, we use them to keep dry in the freezing cold mud. (That's the only time I prefer two pieces: in the early spring, we shuck our winter coats and wear bib snow pants over sweaters a lot of days.)

I love the one-piece Hanna Andersson snowsuits. When I first had a toddler arrive in one, I was appalled. They seem so flimsy and not warm. But she was always cozy warm, and it was so easy to put on, and it was so easy to move around in. I was lucky to always be able to find one used for my daughter, and this is the first year (at 7) that they are too small for her. That combined with wool longjohns was a perfect solution for us. (But here in MA, we have warmer winters than some of you are talking about!)