At What Age Do You Let Dc Kids Outside W/O You?

[Autismworld]

I've been banging heads with a daycare mom lately. She feels it should be okay for me to let her child (almost 3) to play outside without me. I've explained many times that I do not let any child outside alone at that age. She also has an almost 5 year old, who I will let outside with other older kids when I am not also out there. She allows her chldren to both play outside alone at home and because of that feels it should be okay here.

At what age do you allow daykids to play outside without you being out there 100% of the time? Do your thoughts change if the yard is fenced or not??

Thanks!

[Blackcat31]

For me it depends on the maturity level of the child. Although I feel almost 3 or even new 3 is too young. But it also depends on who else is outside and as you said whether there is a fence or not. I have video/audio survelance (sp?) and a fence on 3 sides so I am okay (as are the parents) with kids who arent SA being outside without me...dependant on above factors. Youngest I have ever let out...3 yrs old. I have a 6 yr old I do NOT let out without me for behavioral reasons so again it all depends on many factors.

Sorry I was not much help was I?

[DCMomOf3]

Before I had my fence, never outside without me. Now that I do have a fence I"ll let my SA out every once in a while as long as I can always see them from my sliding glass doors. When on the rare occasion I do allow it, the door is open and we have an ongoing dialog.It's only when I have kids eating/sleeping that I've allowed it.

[newtodaycare22]

My licensing laws say that school aged kids may be out alone, in a fenced in yard only (meaning 5 and up). Personally, I would want to be there no matter what the age. You never know what they are going to hurt or what mess they'll get into

[melskids]

here they HAVE to be school age (kindergarden or higher) to play outside alone.

[DCMomOf3]

I also wanted to welcome you to the board!

[DCMom]

Around 3, but it depends on the child.

I say that because, I have a 3 year old right now who is going through a phase where I can barely let out of my sight inside the house let alone outside! ::

I have a full walkout basement, with windows that I can see the entire backyard so I can supervise pretty closely from inside.

[laundrymom]

here they are allowed to at 7 yrs with signed perm from parents by the state,.. but my personal rules is NEVER. we are all together at all times. period.

[Autismworld]

Thank you for the Welcome. I am in MN and haven't found any concrete rule regarding this.

[DCMomOf3]

does this help? Maybe not...

Subp. 2. Outdoor play space. There must be an outdoor play space of at least 50 square feet per child in attendance, adjacent to the residence, for regular use, or a park, playground, or play space within 1,500 feet of the residence. On-site supervision must be provided by a caregiver for children of less than school age when play space is not adjacent to the residence. Enclosure may be required by the agency to provide protection from rail, traffic, water, or machinery hazard. The area must be free of litter, rubbish, toxic materials, water hazards, machinery, unlocked vehicles, human or animal wastes, and sewage contaminants.

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=9502.0425

Also, i think in MN the county rules will be more specific. Have you checked your county site?

[Blackcat31]

I am in MN and my licensor says "You need to be within sight and/or hearing of them at all times and the outside with or without a provider is left up to the provider and parent to collectively agree on."

I think she is basically saying it is our responsibility to provide a safe environment to a child at all times so it is up to us to use our best judgment and commuicate together with the parent since she can find no hard concrete rules in this area either.

[countrymom]

5 and older here, anything under then you need me outside or with my odds.

[Missani]

I am in MN and my licensor says "You need to be within sight and/or hearing of them at all times and the outside with or without a provider is left up to the provider and parent to collectively agree on."

I think she is basically saying it is our responsibility to provide a safe environment to a child at all times so it is up to us to use our best judgment and commuicate together with the parent since she can find no hard concrete rules in this area either.

Funny, Blackcat, because I know that "within sight and/or hearing" line is posted in the rule book regarding SAs and other things, but my licensor uses that EXACT EXACT phrase. I do live in MN, but I live completely on the other end of the state from you, so it is not the same licensor. Maybe it's a licensing line that they learn or something. ::

[momofboys]

I didn't let my own kids play outdoors until they were over 5 & that was with me checking on them a lot & basically joining them to play after they were outdoors for a short time on their own (@ 10 min). DCK I wouldn't let outdoors on their own but then I don't have a fenced in backyard.

[angelpayne24]

yea sure the parent says its okay at age 3, but i bet as soon as that child gets hurt she is going to blame you for not being out there keeping an eye on the child. id say age 7 and up and never alone, my children go out as a group or not at all.