Wind chill/outdoor play

[Busy ECE mommy]

Can I get some input as to what guidelines you use for cold temperatures and not going outside to play? I worked in a centre previously, and we said no outdoor play for infants/toddlers if it was colder than -10(including windchill) and no colder than
-13 for preschoolers(includi ng windchill). My cutoff is -12 with the mixed age groupings. I had a parent of an infant arrive the other day when it was -22 windchill and wonder why we weren't outside playing? Obviously I explained it was too cold, but I was at a loss for words. Am I off base here? What temps. do you use for your cutoffs?(especially those with infants/toddlers in the program) Thanks in advance. By the way, all my guidelines are posted online on my website, and in each parent's contract.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Personally those are too high of temps for me. Living in mb, we'd never get outside lol.

My cut off is -20/-21 with windchill. That's what it was in the centres I worked at so just went with it. Yesterday was -26 and I considered going for a walk because we've been inside all week...we didn't go though.

My backyard is sheltered so there have been some times we've been out when it's been a tad hotter or colder than my limits.

[Busy ECE mommy]

@5 Little Monkeys-Wow! I can't imagine a -20 cutoff point! We in Ontario must be spoiled! I guess you guys are used to the colder temps. This parent figured since the elementary schools went out up to -22, that the infants should too. Does anyone know if the Day Nurseries Act specifies an exact cutoff for infants/toddlers?

[5 Little Monkeys]

I hate winter so ideally anything past -5 I'd love to stay in LOL but unfortunately I have to take the kiddies out. If you're dressed for it, it is fine and my group this year loves snow, some years I've had all winter haters so going outside was brutal....they just stood and cried the 20 mins and we'd come back in. What a chore just to say we went out LOL

[AmandaKDT]

My cutoff is a windchill of -25, though yesterday we went outside with a windchill of -27 because it has been so cold that we hadn't gone outside for days (it is back to -33 today). We dress appropriately and stayed out for about 20 minutes. Nice to get some fresh air. My new 1 year old started crying after about 15 minutes, but he is going to have to get used to it! Lol.

[torontokids]

My cut off is -24. I read that once you go lower than -24, kids skin is likely to freeze. My kids are all dressed super warm and I have clear expectations re: winter gear (balaclavas, water proof mitts etc). We went out yesterday when it was pretty cold. We went out for about an hour in the am and 45 mins in the afternoon. They were all fine. I dress for the weather too. I wear snow pants and the whole works!

[Gloucestermom]

My cut-off is -15 to go out and play, but we walk to the bus stop twice a day no matter what the temperature is. There were a couple days this week when it was -30 with the wind chill, and I just bundled them up a little bit more!

[Rachael]

We have been inside all this week - with windchill it's -31. Like others, I gauge it based on the youngest child. If all mine can run around and keep warm, we are more likely to go out on a cold day vs when I have little ones not walking and sitting still in the wagon. The cold gets to them so quite regardless of how well wrapped they are.

My cut off is around -20 with windchill but I will admit if it's -21 with zero wind, we are more likely to out than when the air temp is warmer but there's a biting wind. It's the wind that gets to them faster.

-10 would mean being stuck in for 2-4 months of the year.

[Fun&care]

Typically my cutoff is -15 including windchill, but one year I had all 3-4 year olds and my cutoff was -25ish.

[superfun]

My cutoff is -25 with windchill, but that's only for being outside to play. We typically are outside every day to pick up from school. If it's nice enough, we stay outside and play when we get back. Each kid has snow pants, warm jacket (or one piece snowsuit), neck warmer, hat, waterproof mitts, and warm boots.

[mickyc]

My cutoff is -20 temp or windchill. If the temp is -15 and it says -20 with wind I will go check first to see how windy it is, if not too bad we will go out (my place is windy)!. We have been in all week as well. I have one parent who sometimes comments about us not going out even though it is past -20. She says " it doesn't seem bad" - of course not when you are going from your house to your car to my house. Try playing outside for 30 minutes! Good grief lol.

Personally I think -10 is still warm enough to be going out. Yes its lots of work to get everyone dressed but kids need fresh air as often as they can.

[superfun]

I have one parent who sometimes comments about us not going out even though it is past -20. She says " it doesn't seem bad" - of course not when you are going from your house to your car to my house. Try playing outside for 30 minutes! Good grief lol.



Wow, why would parents want their kids outside in the weather we've been having lately. All my parents have been happy that we've been lucky enough to stay inside while my babysitter walks my daughter home. I wish it could be like this every week, but I know she's just helping out because it's so cold.