DD (26 months) is starting preschool 2 full days a week next week. I was asking about sunscreen and the woman mentioned that recess is only 30 minutes a day. I was kinda surprised that they only go outside for 30 minutes in a full 8 hour day! We live in CA, so most days are great for outdoor play.
How much time does your toddler get outside per day at their daycare/preschool (assuming it's appropriate outside weather!)
45 votes
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
Depends on the weather! Sometimes it's most of the day (even lunch time), but since we have winters that are up to six months long, if it's a snowy day - but warm enough, 30 minutes would probably be max.
I'm surprised it's only 30 minutes in CA!
pineapple / 12053 posts
@Mrs. Pen: Ok, I just read a sample schedule and it's almost 2 hours broken up into 4 30-minute sessions. maybe that's what she meant by recess is 30 minutes?
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@birdofafeather: Ahh okay! that's how our center was. It was three outdoor times, each about 30 minutes. So that makes sense. Also, half of the outdoor play area was covered so that aided in sun protection.
Maybe just make sure she has a good sun hat?
honeydew / 7235 posts
Right now - none - because it's too cold and there is still snow everywhere. In the summer though they get out in the morning for about 30-40 minutes and then after nap/snack they get outside again for another 30-40. We are asked to apply sunscreen before we drop them, then they reapply after nap
nectarine / 2262 posts
I'm really interested in this. We toured a daycare (would be for our infant) and I asked how often they take the infants outside!! I think they thought I was crazy, lol. But we live in south Florida and it's sunny and warm all year! It's hot in the summer of course, but even in the summer it's fine in the morning. So we'll see, haha.
grapefruit / 4110 posts
1.5 hours in the morning, 1.5 hours for non papers and then another 1.5 hours in the afternoon from 3:30-5:00. We live in great weather so all of the schools are big on outdoor time. Most are garden schools and outdoor learning is stressed.
GOLD / eggplant / 11517 posts
I don't really know! But I know they go outside every day. I just don't know how long they stay out there.
pomegranate / 3438 posts
They go outside 2 or 3 times a day. We are in CA too. On Fridays during the summer they also do some water play.
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
1 hour every day if the weather is nice. If the weather doesn't permit, they go to the gym.
I was pretty sure this was required by the state so I looked it up, and it is, though not the amount of time.
"An opportunity for outdoor play shall be extended to children of all ages who are in care more than three (3) daylight hours; provided, however, for agencies where outdoor play is prohibitive or dangerous, as determined in the discretion of the Department, unoccupied indoor space providing fifty (50) square feet per child is acceptable."
She goes 9-3. After care goes back outside again for 30 minutes, I believe.
kiwi / 506 posts
I was thinking that O spends a lot more than that outside ... But when I factor in meals and nap time and the 1.5 ish hours of "school" they do each day (she's in an in home daycare) ... It probably really comes out to 1-2 hours max. You're probably right that she meant 30 minutes at a time, too.
Hope R loves her new preschool!! 
nectarine / 2220 posts
I know they go to the park from 11-12 (pretty much rain or shine), and again they'll go outside if it's nice between waking up from nap time and pickup, so 1-2 hours total.
pineapple / 12566 posts
They usually go outside at least an hour a day if weather permits. In the summer, I think they go out twice per day. They also do outdoor field trips like to the forest or the zoo, or this week they went to the Easter market, so they walked there, probably spent an hour doing activities, and then walked back.
grapefruit / 4066 posts
@hellobeeboston: ugh same! I cannot wait for all this snow to melt. Even if it's mild out, still can't go outside bc of all the snow on the ground.
Usually they get 45 mins in morning and as long as they want after nap time.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
My son attends a preschool at a nature center, they're outside every single day as long as it's above a certain temp/windchill and not full on raining.
Total time at preschool is 2 hrs 45 minutes, they're outside for at least an hour.
honeydew / 7235 posts
@NovBaby1112: maybe this rain will help! Melt melt!!!!! (Ignore the snow tomorrow, :(. )
grapefruit / 4187 posts
This is one thing we love about our daycare. Even in bad weather they take them out and in good weather it's at least an hour!
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
Lots, when its not freezing or pouring rain. They walk the bigger kids to school so that alone is an hour minimum. Then they play outside a lot! Home based daycare though. Different structure.
bananas / 9227 posts
They're out everyday, twice a day regardless of weather (except for when it's raining super hard or hailing). On days when there's a staff meeting (the teachers from the other group takes care of them) they're outside for longer. They also occasionally have their snacks out in the forest. During the spring, they spend 1 whole day outside for Earth Hour.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
When the weather is nice, they usually spend 1-2 hours outside. Usually an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon.
persimmon / 1458 posts
When the weather is nice I think they go out for 30 minutes in the am and 30 minutes in the pm.
persimmon / 1071 posts
@birdofafeather: The daycare I worked at me took the kids out for an hour twice a day... unless it was beautiful out, then we would eat lunch outside sometimes and play outside most of the day.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
Weather permitting 2 times a day. So around 1.5-2 hours. If it is raining, super cold, or too hot, then they play with balls/run around in a hallway.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 1 |
| Posts | 1 | 3 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
23 comments