by: scarlett - 12-03-10 13:25
How long do you keep your doors open for children to access free flow inside/outside. eg 2 hours all day etc
At the moment we keep door open fromabout 0930 - 1130 then again 1pm - 5pm ish.
I say it depends on weather as if its freezing then door can be shut but children still able to go out if they wish.
As long as possible during each 2.5 hour session usually. We have a 'free flow curtain' which helps keep the cold out of the building but allows the children free access.
by: Tiggy
I've seen a lot of nurseries recently. Very few are able to offer free access to outside spaces. What if just one child wants to go out? A member of staff has to go out with them, meaning one less inside, so you always need to have one more staff member than the ratio says is the minimum. I must have been to 20 nurseries in the last year and not a single one offered free-flow.
by: Dons
The culture back in New Zealand is free flow in nurseries. I have had trouble getting my head around here that the children go outside when the adults are ready. I am now i a position to change that in the nursery I am in. If only one child wants to go outside you need to look at how the environment is set up as I have always had several children outside.
by: scarlett
we are doing well then!!
staffs attitudes and parents wishes are something to consider. I still go along with if its freezing then the room temp inside should be maintained which is impossible if the door is open. Good idea about curtain!
Outside play is all well and good and yes the children are out as much as they want, regardless of how many are out at one time, there is always someone there with them.
The only downside is that I have had yet another complaint this weekend from a parent who is 'sick of her child having a wet coat and wet trouser bottoms' because my staff haven't had the time at the end of the session to change 18 children's trousers.
It seems the more youbend to Ofsted rules, the more complaints we get!
RE: RE: Outside play - 02-04-10 14:08by: stormgirl
How old are the children? From about age 3 onwards they could take responsibility for changing themselves. If you promote your outside policy, and ensure parents know you will be outside whatever the weather, because it is important for children's learning and development- Parents can then take responsibility to provide welly boots and trousers that fit into the welly boots.
We provide rain macs as an extra layer for children who don't have very waterproof coats, and encourage the children to stand under the shelter or go inside if they are getting realy wet. Because most have the responsibilty of changing themselves they adhere to this pretty well :)
by: scarlett
kaz, mmmm weve had similar this last couple weeks too.
Im actually coming back to the old view about having "playtime" outside.
Yes there are benefits to outside play. but at home i wouldnt keep my door open all day, it would be freezing, and heating bills astronomical.
Thinking maybe, if children come in 1/2 hour before session ends then that might give time to sort children out for parents. At the end of the day parents pay fees. if they dont like it they go elswhere.
by: kaz
Stormgirl I can see where you are coming from but children changing themselves isn't practical in my setting. I would have at least half a dozen children changing their outfits every ten minuites and another half a dozen wondering around half clothed! I think scarlett may be right in that we need to shorten free flow and get the children sorted before the parents arrive. Unfortunately this means that the children who are not wet or need sorting will have to some in too.
Ofted have got involved with the complaint so I am waiting to see what they suggest.
by: stormgirl
We have 48 children, and generally come in about 20 minutes before we expect the bulk of parents (some stay for extended day). Most staff support those children getting changed, while those who have finished getting changed (or who avoided getting wet in the first place!) get to have storytime. I think once the children are used to the routine & taking responsibility for themselves it seems to work ok. Might be more difficult if you have toddlers though (allow more time)
by: Karine
as a parent, assessor and Iv I wholeheartidly expect my child to sometimes in winter be a little cold and wet! - I have also taught my 3 year old to change her own trousers, jumpers should she need to and put back in her own bag!
It is the parents who need to be educated - the children need support from parents to do the basics like taking off and putting on clothes - nurseries also need to make this part of their learning curve for children - as this will help them as they go into infant schools etc., children need help and support to learn self-help skills after all this is what i look for in a nursery or pre-school - rather than Education education education everyone is focussing on - self help, social aspects, and learning through play - Play being the operative word and yes children will get wet, mucky and dirty, its how settings support them and ensure parents understand the ethos.
by: scarlett
Karine you sound like a very switched on parent. Unfortunately most parents do not have your view. It is difficult to "educate" parents as they see it as you telling them how to bring their children up, or the state interfering with parental views. If parents do not like the way the nursery operates they change nurseries, I know, it has happened to us.
by: Karine
Thank you for your reply Scarlett.
When i go around doing workshops for settings, one of the areas i highlight is how you inform parents of your settings ethos right from the start. My aim through the workshop is to get the settings to undertake an open evening, prior to parents even wanting to join their child into the setting. Parents are then provided with information about the play experiences that their children will receive to include the benefits of outdoor play and your outdoor policy. We also ask settings to show approved photographs of outdoor play, linking in very basically to the EYFS (as some parents may not want to sit through whole EYFS theory etc.,)
We also ask parents to help support their childs personal social and emotional development - an area of this is to empower their children to undress and dress from an early age.
Parents are also informed that they will be asked to read and understand the policies and procedures for the setting and when they join they are asked to sign that they are in agreement and fully understand the ethos of the setting - one of which includes free flow and the benefits of outdoor play in all weathers.
How does the saying go....No such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!!
This has worked well now in many a setting and they rarely have parents who leave due to lack of understanding of their operational procedures in line with the EYFS.
I dont like to use the term Educating parents as parents have different levels of understanding and values - but informing them of the settings ethos, particularly benefits of learning through play has been an essential essence that have worked for many a pre-school and nursery setting.
Just inform (not educate), show and provide examples and they may then see and understand.
by: scarlett
Thank you Karine, yes maybe I could look at what we tell parents about when they come and visit/sign up. Only problem is in this economic climate we dont want to put any one off. We wouldnt have a parents evening for one parent (as in private nurseries children/customers come in dribs and drabs not en block like a nursery school) but I could do a better induction I agree. Thanks
by: Karine
Sorry scarlett I was not meaning to sound critical, hopefully I did not come across that way. Trouble is even if it is only one or two at a time, if they are not properly inducted and misunderstand the ethos of the setting and eYFS thats when trouble begins.
But i wish you all the best.
by: scarlett
? no I didnt think you came across critical. i agreed with you, i need to put in my induction with parents how we offer the free flow.
by: Mel
I am interested in offering our children free flow but how would you do it when you have 3 months to school age as the little ones need outdoor time as well