Winter Temperatures

[gbcc]

What is everyones opinion on going outside. The regulations say we have to go out weather permitting daily. No other guidelines. Today is a half day which means a full house. I would like to send them outside but not sure what the cut off is. The rule is they must have hats, scarf, gloves, boots, and snowpants or stay inside. It will be around 15 today.

[mac60]

I would not go out, and if it was my child, I would not want them to go out. We never go outside during the winter. Our outside times are May thru September. After that, we are inside only, unless we have an unusually mild fall. There was a time that I did let the older preschoolers go outside to play a little in the snow, but the time I had involved in getting them ready, and the few minutes they played outside then wanted in because they were cold, and the mess I had in my family room from the snowy clothes and boots, not worth the hassle at all, so I quit doing it.

[gbcc]

LOL! I did not send my son today! He has asthma and I felt it was too cold. Some of the parents brought snow stuff for the older 2nd and 3rd grade children. I don't have to help them and they are allowed to play outside on their own. I hate the cold though so I am a bad judge of if it is too cold! We live in NY so for the most part we are all used to it, except me!

[originalkat]

Schools are cancelled Here...

It snowed here and schools are cancelled so I only have one here today. Happy Friday!!! We wont be going out today because we dont have winter gear but if the kids had snow boots etc... I might take them out for a little while to play in the snow.

[momma2girls]

Here in Iowa we have bad winters!! I do not allow daycare children to go outside in the Winter at all!!! We do go out if temp. is above 60 degrees out!!

[safechner]

I wouldnt send the kids out side. It is not worth to let the kids get sick. I normally take the kids outside around 45 temp but the problem is, the parents dont put coats on their kids so we are stuck to stay indoor. Sometimes, my husband said what are they thinking! ::

[Persephone]

When I worked at the daycare center we always said that if it was below freezing we couldn't go out. So under 32 we stayed in. (Or over like 95). We would play outside in the snow if it was over the 32.

That said I would give anything to take my son outside to let him run!! It's 19 here. Even last week when it got in the 50's (very odd!) it was too wet to go out in the yard. We don't have a drive way so that was out.

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

I think it's too cold...they stated the wind chill would be sub zero today. If they do go out, I wouldn't let them past 10-15 min. at a time. It's FREEEZING!

[Carole's Daycare]

I live in MN, where below zero winter temps are not uncommon. Right now it is -16 , with a high of 14 anticipated. My school agers are allowed to play outside after school from 15 above and up, as long as the wind chill isnt bad and they are dressed appropriately. They come in when they get cold. I only take my preschoolers out on the warmest days here. If it gets in the 20's we go for it. I do try to at least get them outside for 20 mn or more once a week, weather permitting. Snowsuits and boots are difficult to maneuver in, and once they fall in a big snow pile they are pretty much ready to quit. This year I had a couple of relatively warm periods but we still couldn't go out because I had a mom who couldn't afford snowpants and boots after buying her cigarrettes. Then my other parents were actually upset at me because their kids couldn't play outside. They grow them tough here! . In fact, a few parents went and found secondhand and donated snowpants, boots, hats and mittens so if someone forgot I'd have no excuse. My licensor would be very perturbed if I did not go out at all, no matter how much I personally despise the cold, being a transplant to MN from Virginia.

[gbcc]

When I worked at the daycare center we always said that if it was below freezing we couldn't go out. So under 32 we stayed in. (Or over like 95). We would play outside in the snow if it was over the 32.

That said I would give anything to take my son outside to let him run!! It's 19 here. Even last week when it got in the 50's (very odd!) it was too wet to go out in the yard. We don't have a drive way so that was out.

Where are you located? It was 60 on Monday and now today 15! That is crazy. I am having the same problem though, everything melted, it was nice enough to go out but too muddy!

[Pammie]

My handbook states that we spend some time outdoors each dry day when the temperature is between 45-95...parents are responsible to provide appropriate clothing for the day's weather.

[momma2girls]

I would not go out, and if it was my child, I would not want them to go out. We never go outside during the winter. Our outside times are May thru September. After that, we are inside only, unless we have an unusually mild fall. There was a time that I did let the older preschoolers go outside to play a little in the snow, but the time I had involved in getting them ready, and the few minutes they played outside then wanted in because they were cold, and the mess I had in my family room from the snowy clothes and boots, not worth the hassle at all, so I quit doing it.

I am totally with you there!! I remember about 4 yrs. ago, it was about 40 some degrees out, and I allowed all of theolder children over 4 go out- I had to get 3 children all ready snow pants, mittens, hats, etc.. it probably took about 20 min. or more to get everyone ready, and they were out for 5 min. they said they wanted to go in, they were too cold, that was the end of that one!!!!!! Then I had a huge mess of wet coats, mittens , hats, snowpants, laying all over- I got snow all over everywhere!! IT just is totally not worth it!!!

[momma2girls]

I live in MN, where below zero winter temps are not uncommon. Right now it is -16 , with a high of 14 anticipated. My school agers are allowed to play outside after school from 15 above and up, as long as the wind chill isnt bad and they are dressed appropriately. They come in when they get cold. I only take my preschoolers out on the warmest days here. If it gets in the 20's we go for it. I do try to at least get them outside for 20 mn or more once a week, weather permitting. Snowsuits and boots are difficult to maneuver in, and once they fall in a big snow pile they are pretty much ready to quit. This year I had a couple of relatively warm periods but we still couldn't go out because I had a mom who couldn't afford snowpants and boots after buying her cigarrettes. Then my other parents were actually upset at me because their kids couldn't play outside. They grow them tough here! . In fact, a few parents went and found secondhand and donated snowpants, boots, hats and mittens so if someone forgot I'd have no excuse. My licensor would be very perturbed if I did not go out at all, no matter how much I personally despise the cold, being a transplant to MN from Virginia.

Hi fellow midwesterner!!! We come up to Minneapolis area once a yr.
We are coming up in March to stay for 3 days!! I can't wait!! Hopefully the weather is warmer for both of us, and the roads are great!!! We already had to cancel once due to your 17 inches of snow during Xmas break!!!

[Persephone]

Where are you located? It was 60 on Monday and now today 15! That is crazy. I am having the same problem though, everything melted, it was nice enough to go out but too muddy!

Southern Indiana

[momofboys]

PErsonally I think 15-20 degrees is too cold to be outside & not worth the effort. I know my own son would NOT be happy to be outdoors no matter how much I bundled up. My policy is that it has to be over 30 degrees, realistically closer to 40 before we will play outdoors. I take the windchill into factor also. At my older boys' public school it has to be above 32 for them to be allowed to have outdoor recess.