Calling all nursery teachers, my son has free access to the outside (fenced and safe) all day?

Question

Whatever the weather is like, is this right and am I being a neurotic mother to worry, what should I do?

Answer 1

I would not worry if it is safe. The teachers are numerous and sensible enough to keep an eye and if the weather deteriorates bring him back in. In any case he will not be the only one there as kids like playing together outside. My children went to a nursery with the same policy and they came to no harm. However if you are very anxious, the best course is to seek reassurance from the staff, and explain to them why you are concerned.

Answer 2

Either the mother or the father - or worse both - live in fear of everything (probably due to the news, or PTA stories of terrible people, crime, drugs, etc.) So the children are blanketed by protection 24/7. I think once 1 bad apple no matter if it's in another country or not scares some parents into action then this story spreads to affect other parents, and ruin the lives of innocent people. The closer to home the more scared they become. The choices with todays fast moving neighbors is ignore them, get to know them before they move again as your moving too. If you do move to suburbia - where you know everyone will be for awhile you really can meet your neighbors and have friendships that last. Can't peg down USA as it's so huge, this is referenced from San Francisco bay area point of view. There are huge numbers of people on the move in California, ties form quickly, but people move often. Relationships are hard to start, if you know you both will be moving soon. As for the treatment of gays and minorities - in fields that involve children - you can never guess how people will react, but I usually plan for the worst, if the Alpha parent of the school, or PTA, is happy then the flock will be too. Sad mental picture but I view people more as followers than individuals or leaders in these cases. You have to know the person before condemning them.

Answer 3

I would hope that a teacher would accompany the child outside. If the weather makes the teacher uncomfortable, then she will know the child is uncomfortable. Little children love to play outside in all kinds of weather. I am a preschool teacher and if it is above 33 degrees they are outside. They still need to be monitored for injuries, example: falling on a toy or hitting head really hard, it is important that a adult is within sight.

Answer 4

Fresh air never hurt anyone. I'm sure that the policy is that at 32 degrees, which is the freezing point they can't go outside. You can ask the preschool for their out side policy. Just dress him in layers and don't forget the mittens and hat. I use to be a preschool teacher and we went outside everyday unless it was 32 or below. Children are usually warmer than the adults on the playground, because children run, play and have fun.

Answer 5

That is fantastic. as a nursery nurse i see this as being great for children as it gives them free choice to go outside or stay inside. This is very rare in nurseries & your son is lucky to have this opportunity. Most nurseries have set times for outside play and the children dont get a choice to stay in or go out. They all have to go out Like it or lump it when they are told.
This is great as it gives children the free space to learn and develop many skills.
Im sure they make sure that the children are wrapped up warm & are doing activities which encourage all aspects of their learning. So its not just a place to let off steam. Children usually spend so much time running around that they dont feel the cold. Its also nice to experience rain as usually children are protected from rain as if it was going to do them real harm. Lets face it its only water & a great learning opportunity to talk about where it comes from while splashing in puddles. Great fun!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

I go to a school where there are no windows, people say it was designed by a person who designs prisons.

I think no windows decreases the amount an individual can think for them selves. The more exposure outside, the more of a unique person your child will become.

There is so much more for a child to explore outside because everything is growing with your child, he or she can discover the same thing in different ways over and over agin. oppose to inside you can only discover things once.

Answer 7

What are you worrying about? The outside is better than the inside. This western, bloated perception of risk is driven by media hype, personal neurosis, fear of litigation and a poor understanding of relative risk.
Kids should be encouraged to get out, eat some dirt to prime their immune systems and exercise. The alternatives include asthma, social phobia and obesity.

Answer 8

Is your child always under the watchful eye of an adult?
If he's outside without a grown-up watching, that's the problem.

Don't worry about the weather. Your child isn't stupid. He'll come in from the rain.

Answer 9

What's the problem?
I am reminded of the story of Chicken Licken.
If the sky falls on his head, will you let us know, please?
(Does he come in for meals? It doesn't matter, I just wondered.) You could build him a tree house - oops! There I go, trying to get kids up trees, dear oh dear, they'll be playing with conkers next ...

Answer 10

I would suggest you cotact your Local Education Authority as it seems to me that the nursery is not providing a broad and balanced education if they are able to opt to spend their whole day outside.