Cold Weather policy

[kelleyg19]

So after yesterday and the weather being -28 I advised the parents I couldn't do school pick ups.
I am now writing a policy about weather. I am waiting for the local health unit to call me back to give me temps for both cold and hot days and when its okay to take toddlers outside. So far i have what the parents need to bring for summer and winter for their child to safely be outside.
Does anyone have a weather policy? What all did you include in yours? Any suggestions and help is greatly appreciated!

[Sandbox Sally]

I wouldn't do a weather policy if I had to do school pick ups, to be honest. If you're offering this, I think you kind of have to do it, if you know what I'm saying.

In light of the kids being miserable this week in the really cold temperatures, I just changed my weather policy and sent it out to parents. I said this:

• This is Canada, and our weather can vary from one extreme to another. Hence, I feel it necessary to implement an extreme weather policy. Since most of my clients are under age 4 and their little bodies both overheat and lose heat very quickly, I will not be taking the daycare children outside to play on days where the temperature is:
o Above 32 C
o Below -10 C

[cfred]

I think you might be stuck with the school pick up. It's for the very reasons you have concerns that I just don't take school age kids any more.

When I worked in daycare, the cold weather policy (according to Day Nurseries Act) was that kids were kept inside in any weather that dips below -10 degrees (including wind chill). Personally, with little ones, I find that even too cold. I won't take kids out to play if it goes below -5 degrees and I'm very honest about that at intake interview. Especially if the children are very young, it's just miserable for them as they aren't as mobile as an older child. Not being able to move around well in their snowsuits definitely hampers their ability to generate body heat, so they get pretty cold pretty fast. Sooooo not worth it!

For hot weather, I just use my best judgement. If you open the door and are hit with a 'wall' of heat that sucks the breath out of you, don't go out. We'll go out in hotter than 32 degrees depending on what our activity is. If we're playing in the sprinkler that day, in my experience, it's been fine. For regular play with no heat relief, it's pretty miserable.

[Sandbox Sally]

I agree with the high temps thing - it's easier to put on hats, sunscreen, stay in shaded areas and use water play to stay cool than it is for the kids to stay warm in the cold weather, even if they're bundled.

[Inspired by Reggio]

...When I worked in daycare, the cold weather policy (according to Day Nurseries Act) was that kids were kept inside in any weather that dips below -10 degrees (including wind chill). ....

I too use to struggle with stuff like this ~ assuming that DNA required something because the 'centre I worked at did such and such' ... so I bought a copy of the DNA as a new grad and memorized the thing

After reading it ~ which is likely reading a foreign language ~ I quickly realized it was often CENTRE POLICY bosses were telling us was a DNA requirement ... but the reality is there are major differences between the two obviously cause individual centres can choose to make any policy they want as long as it adheres to DNA requirements which is why centres can be so 'different' even though they all governed by the same DNA ... reality is often bosses would tell staff or parents for that matter it was a DNA requirement verses a centre policy because the staff/parents would than assume it cannot be changed and stop 'complaining' about the policy so much ... but in fact there was room for improvement or change to the policy the boss just did not WANT to change it

So in this case -10 is not a DNA requirement ~ that would have been the 'centre policy' where you worked and many do have that same policy across regions because they network just like we do so are sharing ideas and therefore have similar policy about somethings but the DNA actually only stipulates the following ...

(d) each child over thirty months of age that is in attendance for six hours or more in a day plays outdoors for at least two hours each day, weather permitting, unless a physician or parent of the child advises otherwise in writing. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 262, s. 53 (4); O. Reg. 50/91, s. 1.

And if you actually read the 'online version' under the program section back in 2007 when they did some tweaking due to public pressure about things like outside time and NAPPING they have even repealed section C) which use to require children under 30 months of age to spend UP TO two hours a day they basically no longer require you to even try to get that age group outside .... and do not get me started on what they did to trying caregivers hands behind their backs with regards to quiet time

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/reg...0262_e.htm#BK0

[Inspired by Reggio]

BTW ~ I find this resource helpful for backing up my through process if I get a client who might question outdoor practice

http://www.healthunit.com/%28F%28oEp...sPDF/12653.pdf

[BrightEyes]

BTW ~ I find this resource helpful for backing up my through process if I get a client who might question outdoor practice

http://www.healthunit.com/%28F%28oEp...sPDF/12653.pdf

Reggio the link doesn't work, can you please post it again? Thanks!

[Inspired by Reggio]

Reggio the link doesn't work, can you please post it again? Thanks!

Hmm not sure why it is not working ~ it is a PDF from the www.healthunit.com website called

SAFE HEALTHY CHILDREN
A Health and Safety Manual for Childcare Providers

if you google it you should find it if the link wont work?

http://www.healthunit.com/%28F%28oEp...sPDF/12653.pdf

[kelleyg19]

Thank you everyone for the input. The health unit called me back as well, and he gave me good information as well. I tell (verbally) parents that if its too cold or to hot that we won't be going outside. I want to put in place a written policy so parents can't come back saying that it doesn't say in the contract about it being too cold or too hot to go outside.
I now only have to do one school run and the family understands that if its cold I can't pick up their daughter and actually appreciate me not taking toddlers out in the cold.
I will not be taking anymore school kids because I can't guarantee that the weather will not be below -15. I will continue doing school pick up for this one family because they have no problem with picking up their daughter if need be.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Maybe this link will work better?
http://www.healthunit.com/articlesPDF/12650.pdf