School pick up

[kelleyg19]

So I'm in ontario and the weather this week is going to be -22 with windchill. I have to take one girl to school at 1230 which is about a 5 min walk to the school where we then go inside for about 5-10 min then walk 7 min home. After school I have to pick that girl up then walk about 8 min down to another school to get another girl where we then have to wait about 10 min then walk about 15 min back home. So my problem is that I have three toddlers (17 month 22 month and 2 years) that I have to take with me. Today the poor babies were frozen. They had snow suits and all winter clothing on plus a big fuzzy blanket to help keep them warm. So tomorrow with it calling for temps of -22 what should I do to help the toddlers keep warm?

[daycaremom9]

I used to pick up and drop off from school. We are lucky to not get extreme weather here but one winter we did and it was very unsafe to drive to the school with all the children so I created a policy that if I felt it was unsafe to drive the children, I just would not do it. After all, we're in the business of keeping children safe.

[Inspired by Reggio]

First thing I would be doing is making sure they have proper outdoor gear with coats, snowpants and boots and than ensure extra warm clothes for under their outdoor wear so a sweater if needed and warm pants verses 'tights' or something. Than good fitting hats, mittens, scarves to cover as much of the face as possible ~ this is what I require to be here daily all winter long.

Are they traveling in the stroller, wagon or walking?

If they are in the stroller I would bundle them with extra blankets around each of them and depending on the style I would put a cotton sheet that breathes over top of it and tie it in place to help block the wind for them!

If you are in a wagon you can do the same thing with blankets ~ my old wagon had a canopy which was awesome cause I would just roll it all the way down when it was windy ~ but if you do not have one you could make a make shift one with pool noodles or something and drape a 'cover' over the kids as a wind breaker?

I know when I have a non mobile child outside whose idle I will warm up my 'bean bag neck thingies' that is for my back when it is in pain and put that in the stroller with them for some added 'body heat' so to speak.

If they are walking well not too sure other than making sure they have warm clothes and mittens and scarves to cover as much of the face as possible?

[kelleyg19]

I use a wagon. All the kids have snow pants, cost, boats, double mitts, hat and neck warmer. I put their hoods on as well but they take the good off and just have their hat.
Thanks for the idea of making some kind of canopy. Ill see what I can find laying around the house tonight.
I HATE WINTER!!! (I am not a winter person at all, why can't summer be longer).

[sunnydays]

I'm having the same problem...-32 with the windchill is the forecast for the morning!! I plan to wrap blankets around them in addition to scarves and my plastic wind cover that I made from shower curtains. I am thinking of throwing the blankets in the dryer first to make them nice and warm

[playfelt]

Sometimes it is a case of just getting cold and then coming in and doing a proper warm up. The blankets in the dryer is a good idea for the coming in - toss some flannelette sheets in the dryer as soon as you come in. Get them undressed and change socks or shirts if they seem sweaty as those won't really dry out just make them cold. Then curl up on the couch with the warm blankets for a tv show or video - between the padding of the couch and the blankets and them all on the one couch it will transfer heat quickly to them. If you can get them to do some moving/jumping stuff while you are getting the blankets that will get the blood flowing back into the feet.

Consider putting an extra pair of wool socks on their feet in their boots even if you buy and keep them at daycare for going in the stroller. Then no matter what socks they wear you change them out for the warm ones and put their own back on when you get back - take the sweaty ones off (leave the socks in a pile near the register while you are gone so they are warm when you get back. Men's wollen work socks pulled over their hands and up their arms - will come almost to the shoulders on most help to keep mittens on and add an extra layer of warmth. Use headbands to hold the hoods on. Instead of covering our ears, put them around the top of the hood and aacaross their foreheads to protect that area and hold everything in place.

[kelleyg19]

So this mornng I contacted the two parents that require thier child to be picked up from school and told them due to the temp sitting at -24 today that I wouldn't be able to pick up thier kids from school today. The one family was happy anouybthis decision while te other family lost their s**t on me. I'm sorry but I can't control the weather and I'm not going to put three children under the age of 2 in risk of the cold weather.
Would you have done the same thing, or would you have still taken the three toddlers out in this cold?

[Inspired by Reggio]

.... Would you have done the same thing, or would you have still taken the three toddlers out in this cold?

Your business your rules hon ~ i see nothing wrong with having a policy of 'Adult escorted school drop offs and pick ups are available when it is SAFE for the provider to do so ~ however please note that parents of school age children must have a back up plan in place to transport for times when it is deemed by the PROVIDER to be an unsafe (list some examples that are deal breakers).

Personally I feel so strongly about having CHOICE in my program of when and how things unfold with our routine that I chose not to even offer the school age service because of issues like this ~ I do not want to be forced outside in inclement weather or dealing with upset parents because their failed to PLAN for back up care as instructed!

Fortunately I do not HAVE to take my own children to school so there is no reason for me to have to go out on a day like today unless I CHOOSE to .... and yes I have some control issues about being told what to do by a third party which is why in an working scenerio I prefer to either be the boss or be my own boss

[mimi]

We are as strong as our youngest child. I think you did the right thing kellleyg19. It's about safety. Toddlers in a wagon or stroller are not generating any body heat through motion. Perhaps this is something you can add to your policies.

[kelleyg19]

Thanks Mimi. I just don't understand why this dad is getting so worked up.
My sister said about adding it to the policies as well. This afternoon it will be added that if temp and weather is to cold or bad drop off and pick up will not be available.