How Long Are Children Allowed To Play Outside In Cold Weather?

[rachel_ksr]

Okay, here is the situation.

My two year old son goes to daycare in Michigan. This morning it was 45 degrees and he is just getting over being sick. All the children were outside (from ages 2months-4years) from 8:00am-11:30am. Is there any rules for licensed daycares regarding time spent outside when it is cold out?

[Michael]

When Weather Permits - Daycare

Every State has differing standards. Most indicate that a child shall be provided opportunities for outdoor time each day that weather permits. In our opinion it appears that the caregiver is given the option of "what's best" when it comes to time being spent outside. Make sure that a caregiver is always present when children are outsite even in an enclosed area.

In Michigan this state requirement most notably applies:

(b) Indoor and outdoor play, except during inclement or extreme weather, or unless otherwise ordered by a health care provider.

(Editor) It does not appear that 45 degrees is too extreme but 2 1/2 hours seems a little long at that temperature.

R 400.1914 Daily activity program.
(3) All of the following developmentally appropriate opportunities shall be provided daily:
(a) A balance of active and quiet play, group, and individual activities.
(b) Indoor and outdoor play, except during inclement or extreme weather, or unless otherwise ordered by a health care provider.
(c) Early language and literacy experiences throughout the day accumulating for not less than 30 minutes.
(d) Early math and science experiences.
(4) Television, tapes, and movies shall be limited to not more than 2 hours per day and to programs designed for children's education and/or enjoyment. Other activities shall be available to children during television/movie viewing.
(5) Programs/movies with violent or adult content, including soap operas, shall not be permitted in child-use space while children are in care.
(6) The use of electronic devices and computers by children in care shall be suitable to the age of the child in terms of content and length of use.
(7) The caregiver shall, for children with special needs, work with the parents, medical personnel, and/or other relevant professionals to provide care in accordance with the child's identified needs and learning supports.

As always, you can contact your state's licensing agency at:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Michigan Department of Human Services
7109 West Saginaw, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 30650
Lansing, MI 48909-8150
Phone: (517) 241-2488
Toll Free: (866) 685-0006
Fax: (517) 335-6121

[albertson]

Parents and Guardians Forum

hi;
I think we can live children to play seeing the weather climate.There is no any rules for licensed daycares, may be some children effect the cold and become sick by playing and some children will not.
===================================================
albertson
Addiction Recovery Nevada

Addiction Recovery Nevada

[Unregistered]

Cold weather rule

No there is no rule-but COMMON SENSE should ring a bell-GOOD GRAVY----does this provider not have any? Time to get a new provider. WOW- ! My rule of thumb is-if it's 32 we don't go OUT-The air temperature has to be BELOW freezing in order for frostbite to develop on exposed skin. But skin can freeze within 30 minutes-no matter what age-but come on-children play in the snow-and don't "feel" the cold like we adults do-TIME FOR A NEW PROVIDER-and report them!

[Unregistered]

I found this about Minnesota

A licensors opinion-

Winter is upon us and the temperature is sure to drop as only
Minnesota temperatures can. Providers often question
whether they are required to bring children outdoors during
the winter months. The answer to this question begins in
MN Rules 9502.0415, Subp.1: Activities and Equipment –
General Activities:
Day care activities must provide for the physical, emotional,
and social development of the child. The environment must
facilitate the implementation of the activities. Activities must:
A. be scheduled indoors and outdoors, weather permitting;
B. be appropriate to the developmental stage and age of
the child;
C. include active and quiet activity; and
D. contain provider-directed and child-initiated activity. Although there is a lot of debate about “weather permitting,” even conservative estimates encourage outdoor activities if the weather is above 20. Outdoor air is fresh and humidified; time outdoors stimulates appetites, decreases stress and aggressiveness and deepens sleep at nap and bedtime.
While no child should be out in dangerously cold temperatures, with
appropriate dress and attention we all benefit from being outdoors.

[Unregistered]

Hello,
I moved to USA from Russia 3 years ago, and I have a 4yo child. As you know Climat in Russia is colder then here.
In your post, Im very much surprized about kids being out for such a long time, coz mostly we face an opposite problem - nobody thinks that being out enough is important for growing kids. While In Russia they really think that going out (at least twice a day) is a MUST when you have a child. So, I can only wish my kid to be out a lot here also, but I can only dream...the maximum they do is up to 30 mins
Yes, 45F is pretty cold weather, but also, in my opinion, american parents dress kids very strange, and never according to weather during cold time (in my eyes). coz the lifestyle here is an "always driving" style. Just pay your attention to what your kid is wearing during cold time and you can avoid a lot of problems with colds.

what also kills me,,,they never ever here get any fresh air inside,,,the air is always stuffed, looks like they have no idea that the rooms should be aired out from time to time.

Sorry if my post hurt somebody. its just my look.

[Unregistered]

Same problem

HI

I have the same problem with my daycare that I work at and my child attends. My child is 2 and also has a cold. The director of the daycare says we have to take the children out if it is not below 32 degrees. She seemed irritated when I told her I didn't want my child outside in that weather. This is at 9:30 in the morning. Why can't they get their outside play in the afternoon when it is 50 degrees or warmer. By the way, we live in Alabama. Thanks.

[tymaboy]

On my website I have a PDF that both the Child Resource & the CACFP gave me to go by what is suggested for outdoor play. It is located at the very bottom of the page.

[Unregistered]

How long are children allowed to play outside in cold weather?

I have a licensed home care..7-8 kids, at least one parent would like their child indoors..could be cold and cough or just recovered from sickness.
I have to be inside and outside frequently...very frustrating...30 mins s=of outdoor time should be good till 45 degrees and especially if the child is properly covered.
What do you guys think?

[Heated]

Too Cold for Outside Daycare Play

I think your instincts are good when it comes to time outside when it is cold. The child that the parents want inside because of a cold or flu should stay home if you can not monitor inside and out at the same time.

[Unregistered]

In my state, we have to take them out until colder than 10 degrees. I am sure in every state it depends on the specific licensing specialist a provider has, here it does. Some specialists say 20 minutes, 30 minutes or to walk to the mailbox. Not to doubt you, but are you sure it was from 8:00-11:30am. That does seem like a long time. In our state, there is no real time limit.

I remember mentioning about a parent not wanting their child out b/c they were getting over bronchitis and I was told "if they are to sick to go out, they are too sick to go to daycare." I make my policies according to me and my parents. I am never rude, but I will ask my specialist to show me in the codes. There are times a provider has to break a code (when there is only 1 provider and it is very cold (like 10 degrees), but not under the code temp (must be colder than 10 degrees) and there are one or more kids getting over being sick or starting to get sick). If the child/ren is not sick enough to warrant them to go home, we keep them.

[Michael]

When is it Too Hot or Cold for Outside Daycare Play

We posted a new article on the weather question at:

https://www.daycare.com/news/daycare_and_weather.html

[Unregistered]

outside 2 hrs

I work at a Day Care and were not to be outside longer than 1/2 hr no longer. shorter if the weather is colder. I at least take my kids outside just so get the smell off my mom always said. I want to go in before they do LOL
I think they are just lazy teachers don't want to do anything just talk I'm sure. I would be looking for a new day care.

[heyhun77]

I have to say that here in ND if we stayed inside when it was 45 or less we'd never get to go outside for at least half the year. With the appropriate gear kids can go outside every day for at least a short period of time. We go out as long as the windchill is -10 or higher. Of course we're not out for long periods of time at that temp but it's good for the kids to get some fresh air and move their muscles and don't forget all the active movement time they are getting as they put on snowpants, boots, coats, hats and mittens. Last week we ended the week in the high 20's above with snow melting slightly and we were out at least 3 hours each day enjoying the nice winter day. I know that climates differ but even the kids in Alaska go outside each day, they just wear the appropriate clothing for the weather. As someone else typed, a lot of parents dress their kids in "driving" clothing and don't always think about playing outside. As for kids with colds being outside, fresh air is good for everyone. It's even advised to open your windows in the winter to bring in fresh air. I do this most days during nap time for at least 10 minutes.

[Jewels]

45 degrees wow, thats pretty warm, I bet I would have my kids out for at least an hour most definatly more, But i guess in MN thats super warm, Last week one day it was like 25 and sunny and we were out for a little over an hour, I was sweating pulling the kids around in the snow, I had to take my hat off. I take them out everyday over 20 degrees, friday its supposed to be in the lower 30's and I guarantee we'll be out for quite a while.