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I have a question my son who is 4 goes to a preschool where the teachers set the time to go outside. He is supposed to go out in the afternoon on Mon, Wed, Fri and the mornings on Tues and Thurs. The teachers are not taking the kids out, weather permitting they should be out there every day. My child is constantly being put in time out for moving in his chair when he doesn't get the opportunity to exhert his energy. Can anyone tell me if they are required by law (weather permitting) to take the kids outside in Charleston SC?
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Have you discussed your concerns with the teacher and/or director? I have no idea what the laws are in SC, hopefully someone on this forum will be able to help you out there but in regards to not being able to go out when the contract or handbook says they are is something I would talk directly to the teachers or director of the preschool about.
Eliminating the time the kids can run and be crazy is so rediculous...especially when a child is clearly showing that he needs that large motor time by being so wiggly!
The fact that they are giving him a time-out for behavior that is a direct effect of them not doing something promised is also something that would have me upset!
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Hi,
You may want to ask them why they aren't doing it first. My guess is that they are having a hard time getting their staff to take them outside. It's a really common thing going on now in preschools, centers, and elementary schools. The adults don't like dealing with the kids outside because it's SO much harder to keep them from fighting and harming themselves or others when they are outside. The level of supervision they need to avoid serious harm is most likely so high that the preschool really can't afford to enforce it or find staff willing to do it for the little amount of money they make.
You can find out if they are required to by contacting your state licensing. I don't know if preschool is the same as center care in your state. You may also want to consider really talking to the staff and finding out why they aren't doing it. If it's because it's too hard to manage the kids outside then maybe start a parent support group that raises funds for them to hire additional staff or lobby the school to raise rates so they can have more adults outside with the kids.
In addition, administrators cite a "fear of lawsuits if children become injured, a concern over children's safety from strangers around school grounds, and a shortage of people to supervise the children during recess"Comment
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I think they are required to have a certain amount of time for "exercise" but not necessarily outdoors.
I prefer to let them play outdoors as they really need it.
I have to admit that I don't like more than 20 out there at one time. When we have full enrollment we stagger playtimes so that there aren't so many out at once. 8-10 is a good group and can be supervised well by 2 staff members.Comment
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Outside
Thanks everyone and yes I did go to the director she was not aware of the children not going outside and said something to the teachers. They are supposed to be able to go outside and play every day now. But yesterday that did not happen I'm really not a happy camper. I've gotten several of the parents together on this issue and we have all voiced our concerns. Now i feel like the teacher is just not doing it to be spitefull.Comment
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If the situation is not being addressed AND changed, I would seriously consider moving my child to a new facility. It is obvious the director has no control over the teachers if they were told to do something but are still not doing it.
I would also be concerned about the treatment my child was receiving by a caregiver who is acting out of spite.Comment
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Even with you pressing the director and the director pressing the staff... in the end they HAVE to tell you WHY they aren't doing it. The staff can come up with many reasons why... which is most often that they have kids there that don't have the clothes/gear they need.
That's the number one "get out of jail free card" so see if that is it.
The most likely reason is that the staff knows it's easier to have them inside then outside.Comment
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It's odd to me that teachers think it is easier to keep them indoors than out. I much prefer outdoor play to indoor play.....much less management issues for me.Comment
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It depends on how much work it is to get them dressed and what they have outside. It depends on the temperature outside and shading.
It also depends on the layout of the playground and what "fighting" and climbing equipment they have.
If everything is easy then yes. If there's any part of it that puts the staff out... then no.
The Center close to my house used to have the kids outside every day. No we rarely see them during peek outdoor times (ten to eleven a.m.) They have crappy climbing equipment, crappy toys, and a really really crappy layout. They also have many poor kids who have outdoor gear that simply doesn't fit or work.
It has to be EASY for the adults to get the adults to do it.Comment
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I prefer outside play as well but I can see Nannyde's point. I'm set up for outside play and it works well. There is nothing they can get into and enough toys that there are few fights. I also have great walkers and they all love outdoors. I've had kids in the past that hated outside and whined for cartoons constantly.Comment
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