No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!
As the weather is changing we thought it would be a good idea to write a blog on how we address the colder weather at Great Wood Farm.
All weather experiences help to support children’s overall holistic development. We will still go outside regardless of the weather, we will ensure that the children are dressed correctly, the children can still have just as much fun in the rain, wind or snow and it allows plenty of learning opportunities and discussion points. It also allows for more risky play and problem solving activities. As well as improving mental health, physical health, improving sleep as well as the sensory experience of exploring all weather conditions. This may include our Forest School sessions or going out and exploring the garden, there is nothing better than sliding down the mud mound in the rain or jumping in the biggest muddy puddle that you can find (talking from experience), it allows children to build resilience through all-weather experiences. We have shelters in the garden and Forest School base camps as well as a repurposed grain silo with a wood burner to enable breaks from the weather. We closely support children to ensure that well-being levels remain high in all weathers.
Below, I am attaching a video that we made of the different layers that we would advise children has with them to prepare for the coldest weather days. We recommend a base layer, extra top layer, extra trouser layer, a jumper, neck warmer/snood , fluffy socks, fleece lined waterproofs, wellies, hat and gloves (where possible waterproof gloves).
In our entrance we have a welly swap shelf where parents/carers are able to take some used wellies or donate some sued wellies that their child no longer wears.
We also have a 10% discount code for The Warm Welly Company who sell neoprene insulated wellies. The code is GWF10 .
Car Safety
I know that now it is getting colder especially in the mornings and evenings you want to wrap your child up warm to get them to the car, however, it is important to know what is suitable for children to wear in car seats.
Guidance below helps with this;
You do not need to dress your child in lots of thick layers to keep them warm in the car. Lots of layers or heavy clothes will prevent the car seat harness from holding your child’s body firmly and safely. To work in a crash, car seats must be snug, and if the straps are not tight enough they could slip down during a crash. It is safe for your child to wear thin layers in their car seat, if it is cold use a blanket over the top of the harnesses to keep your child warm. The car can get very warm so put a loose blanket on the top of your child that can easily be pulled off if the car gets too warm.
The lullaby trust states that ‘babies that get too hot are at a greater risk of SIDS ‘. The lullaby trust also advises that you ‘remove any hats or outdoor clothing such as snowsuits and coats once the child is in the car, the best way to check if the child feels too hot is to feel their tummy or the back of their neck, if the skin feels clammy or sweaty they are too hot and a layer should be removed’.
You must check the tightness of the harness on every car journey, to check the tightness of the harness you should be able to place two fingers on your child’s collarbone and no more, if there is movement her you must tighten the harness and check again.
Outdoor Sleeping
Over the colder months, where possible we will still sleep the babies outdoors in our outdoor sleep hut. We ensure that the children are well layered and that they have extra blankets available when needed, it is so important that again children are sent to nursery with appropriate clothing for sleeping in, no child should be sent to sleep with a hood on. We have a thorough risk assessment and procedures in place to enable this.
Better Sleep data states that sleeping outdoors means the air helps the children sleep better, deeper and longer. This also leads to less illness as children who sleep outside spend less time in dry, recycled air, which can allow flu, virus and common cold to spread to children easily. As well as improved learning: As children sleep outside they sleep longer and more serenely leading to better learning levels.