I work at a daycare and the owner requires us to go outside..even in this heat!?

Question

I work at a childcare center and we usually go outside for 1 hour in the morning.

At 3:30pm its my turn again to go outside. Usually I have my own group of 10 but since theres so many kids for the summer camp program I'm with another girl and we have a group of 20 kids.

The kids are able to go in a sprinkler (We put their bathing suits on and everything) But the staff is left to sit outside with no relief from the heat! ((We're usually outside from 10-11 in the AM and from 3:30-6:30 in the PM))...I know this doesnt sound like a long time but when your standing and doing things for kids for 3 hours in 95 degree/humid weather its TERRIBLE.. I get dizzy and terrible headachs.

I'm one of the most laid back people at work - and i usually just go with the flow and do what everybody else tells me to do.

Do you think it would be rude of me to say that I'm only going outside for 45minutes/1 hour in the afternoon?

Answer 1

Girl, those are the 1st signs/symptoms of heat stroke! And once you GET heat stroke, you get it repeatedly and very easily. You won't wait as long to get it next time. That is wrong that she sends y'alls out like that! On days where the temps are like that, see if you can do inside activities or only go out for 1/2 hr. And hydration is the key. I don't know if you're a coffee or a pop drinker, but you MUST drink a lot of water. And I don't want to hear "I do!" I want you to drink a lot, and then double it whether you like it or not! Water is what's going to help you the most. Heck, drink koolaid or lemonade if you have to. But coffee, tea, pop and other caffinated beverages are zapping and dehydrating you. Maybe you don't drink them, I've no clue, but I'm just saying that for every caffinated beverage you drink, you need to drink 1 glass of water to make up for it, and then another to get ahead.

Answer 2

I wouldn't make any declarations of what you intend to do to your boss...after all, this person is your boss and isn't likely to take it well. BUT I would find a quiet time to tell your concerns to the head of the summer camp. Say that you're concerned that the heat makes you (and the other staffers if you can get their input) feel sick and fatigued, and you only want to be able to be your best for the children. If you make sure the head understands that your main concern is the well being of the children you supervise and that you think the heat is affecting your performance with those children, I think you'll get a better response than if you give an ultimatum.

Answer 3

Are the kids outside that long? I had the same problems when I worked at day care. I thought it was much too hot for the kids to be outside for that long in the heat. They were not even allowed to go in for water except once-maybe twice in 3-4 hours! and that was just a sip out of the fountain! (one of many reasons my kids will NEVER be in a daycare)
I think it would be a very good idea to talk to the director about this, but make sure you let her know your concerned for the kids as well as yourself.

Answer 4

I live in the South so I understand what you are saying about the heat, 3 hours is a very long time to be outside. It may be rude to just say that you are only going to stay out for about an hour. Why not explain to your boss and co-workers that you are physically unable to stay in the heat for that amount of time and if you pass out you will be of no use to your kids or co-workers. You may not be the only one who feels that way and it may be the beginning of a better system for outside time in the afternoons.

Answer 5

I'll assume you're in the northern hemisphere given that you are complaining about the heat in July. It's freezing here at the moment in Australia...having a bit of a cold snap.
Check with your state health department regarding children playing outside during certain times of the day (in summer) and whether there are any guidelines as to what temperatures are deemed unsafe for little kids to be outside in extreme heat. You may find that not only do you not want to be in it, but your health authority may suggest that the kids also shouldn't be in it either.

Answer 6

It's not safe for the children as well as the adults to be out in this heat... Maybe in the morning, but not in the heat of the day... I would maybe try and find a better alternative.. If you ask and are still made to go outside bring some ice water with you and get plenty of fluids.... I would worry about the children...

Answer 7

I used to work in daycare too, and l can tell you that you can't leave the other worker outside with all 20 kids, it's illegal due to ratios. You can do two things, either take turns taking the kids (in groups of 10) inside then outdoors, or you can play in the sprinklers with them! I used to water play with the kids in summer, it's fun!

Answer 8

if you can't beat the heat, join the fun! The kids are also out in the heat, mind you, and what are they doing to get relief? Playing in the sprinklers.. I say join them. There cannot be a rule that say that you cannot play with the kids.. you work in a daycare, come on. bring yourself a change of clothes also.

Answer 9

I think you should talk with the other employees and maybe all together you guys could go to the owner/administrator and explain to him/her that you think that is too long.

I operate a home daycare and my general rule is outside 1 hour at a time (unless at the park), and if it's over 85 we don't go out at all (unless we ALL are swimming).

Even if the children are getting wet, 3 hours in that heat is too long. Some children may not want to get wet all the time, and even wet, they could still get dehydrated.

If you tell your boss you refuse to stay out there you may get fired, but if you calmly explain why you don't think it is a good idea to be out there that long, he or she may listen.
Good luck!

Answer 10

As somebody who grow to be a tax preparer final 12 months, we had to flow right into a tax id for daycare centers or the SSN of the guy who grow to be paid to guard them. most of the interior sight daycare centers might grant the mum and dad with in easy terms a letter that gave them the Federal id variety -- yet no longer inevitably a assertion of ways a lot they paid. From the Jcakson Hewitt web site: "newborn Care expenses & service suggestion in case you have a qualifying newborn under age thirteen, a disabled newborn of any age, or a disabled spouse, and additionally you pay somebody to grant guard them together as you paintings, you'll be able to qualify for a tax credit of as much as 35% of your expenses. you ought to grant the IRS with the care service's call, address, and taxpayer id variety (TIN), which could be a Social secure practices variety or an company id variety (EIN). If the service is a daycare center, the TIN is their EIN. If the service is somebody, the TIN is their Social secure practices variety. If the service is a qualified church or non-earnings team and has no EIN, the notice Tax-Exempt could be substituted for the TIN. you ought to shop info of charge receipts together with your information."