Outdoor Preschools • Hacker News Board

Re: Outdoor Preschools

#11

Post by vailripper » Thu, Sep 26, 2019, 4:57 PM UTC

cloudytoday wrote: post #2

cool idea. I think we have one here in San Francisco. I just wonder about rain/snow (for some areas) and then naps..where do they take them? But in general I think the kids (and adults) need more outdoor time

There is a lot of gear involved... our son wears long underwear, wool socks, proper rain jacket / pants...and we're in a relatively mild climate. I think that's one of the benefits though - it teaches kids that crap weather doesn't mean you can't go outside and play, you just need to be prepared.

As far as naps - our kiddo doesn't take a nap anymore, so it isn't an issue. Younger classes typically get out earlier, so you could do a nap then. I'm not sure there are any all day outdoor preschools....

Re: Outdoor Preschools

#12

Post by hpratt4 » Thu, Sep 26, 2019, 5:07 PM UTC

blang wrote: post #4

We have outdoor preschools in Seattle, but because of how licensing works, my family can't use them. Outdoor preschools can only run for 4 hours usually 9:30-1:30, instead of full day, which is really what you need if you have two working parents.

Do you happen to know what the licensing problems are? My family is in exactly the same boat; I'd love to be able to complain constructively to DYCF about which of their rules is responsible for preventing us from using a program like Fiddleheads.

Re: Outdoor Preschools

#13

Post by seanmcdirmid » Thu, Sep 26, 2019, 5:08 PM UTC

vailripper wrote: post #11

cloudytoday wrote: post #2

cool idea. I think we have one here in San Francisco. I just wonder about rain/snow (for some areas) and then naps..where do they take them? But in general I think the kids (and adults) need more outdoor time

There is a lot of gear involved... our son wears long underwear, wool socks, proper rain jacket / pants...and we're in a relatively mild climate. I think that's one of the benefits though - it teaches kids that crap weather doesn't mean you can't go outside and play, you just need to be prepared. As far as naps - our kiddo doesn't take a nap anymore, so it isn't an issue. Younger classes typically get out earlier, so…

That is exactly what we would need for our son if we sent him to preschool in southern China (maybe not the rain jacket) simply given the lack of indoor heating (we will wait till he is older).

Re: Outdoor Preschools

#14

Post by seanmcdirmid » Thu, Sep 26, 2019, 5:09 PM UTC

pbhjpbhj wrote: post #5

xwdv wrote: post #3

This is nice if you live in a nice cool place with a magical shady forest full of wonders, but in most places kids will be in sweltering heat with the sun beating down on them all day putting them at risk for melanoma. I hated recess because of this, I just did not see the allure of being outside.

Most towns have woodlands of some sort, don't they? I mean, globally. Sure there are desserts ...

Not to mention “living outside” is the norm in Southeast Asia (well, you aren’t in a forest at least).

Re: Outdoor Preschools

#15

Post by JohnJamesRambo » Thu, Sep 26, 2019, 5:17 PM UTC

This is such a completely fantastic idea. It would expose kids to exercise, sunlight, allergens, and germs. All things scientific theories like the hygiene hypothesis and vitamin d as a marker of outside exposure are telling us are vital to making a healthy child.

Re: Outdoor Preschools

#16

Post by JJMcJ » Thu, Sep 26, 2019, 5:19 PM UTC

JohnJamesRambo wrote: post #15

This is such a completely fantastic idea. It would expose kids to exercise, sunlight, allergens, and germs. All things scientific theories like the hygiene hypothesis and vitamin d as a marker of outside exposure are telling us are vital to making a healthy child.

> sunlight

Skin cancer, much?

Maybe in Norway this makes sense.

For fair skinned people in lower latitudes, maybe not.

Re: Outdoor Preschools

#17

Post by JohnJamesRambo » Thu, Sep 26, 2019, 5:21 PM UTC

JJMcJ wrote: post #16

JohnJamesRambo wrote: post #15

This is such a completely fantastic idea. It would expose kids to exercise, sunlight, allergens, and germs. All things scientific theories like the hygiene hypothesis and vitamin d as a marker of outside exposure are telling us are vital to making a healthy child.

> sunlight Skin cancer, much? Maybe in Norway this makes sense. For fair skinned people in lower latitudes, maybe not.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2380751/sunscreen-sun-exposure...

I try to share this article as much as I can. It’s likely much of what we think we know about sun exposure is very wrong.

Re: Outdoor Preschools

#18

Post by JJMcJ » Thu, Sep 26, 2019, 5:22 PM UTC

JJMcJ wrote: post #16

JohnJamesRambo wrote: post #15

This is such a completely fantastic idea. It would expose kids to exercise, sunlight, allergens, and germs. All things scientific theories like the hygiene hypothesis and vitamin d as a marker of outside exposure are telling us are vital to making a healthy child.

> sunlight Skin cancer, much? Maybe in Norway this makes sense. For fair skinned people in lower latitudes, maybe not.

Let's not forget cataracts, which are much more common in equatorial regions, even among people whose skin pigment helps protect them from skin cancers.

Re: Outdoor Preschools

#19

Post by ThomPete » Thu, Sep 26, 2019, 5:22 PM UTC

My oldest kid was at a Danish outdoor pre-school. They wouldn't be in execpt for taking nap. Other than that they were outside come rain or shine.

Re: Outdoor Preschools

#20

Post by blang » Thu, Sep 26, 2019, 5:27 PM UTC

hpratt4 wrote: post #12

blang wrote: post #4

We have outdoor preschools in Seattle, but because of how licensing works, my family can't use them. Outdoor preschools can only run for 4 hours usually 9:30-1:30, instead of full day, which is really what you need if you have two working parents.

Do you happen to know what the licensing problems are? My family is in exactly the same boat; I'd love to be able to complain constructively to DYCF about which of their rules is responsible for preventing us from using a program like Fiddleheads.

I think it's this:

https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=110-300&full=tr...

>(6) Licensed outdoor play areas must be enclosed with a fence or barrier that is intended to prevent children from exiting and discourages climbing. If the outdoor play area is enclosed by a barrier that is not a fence, the barrier may be a wall constructed with brick, stone, or a similar material.

For some background a co-worker's wife works at one of the outdoor preschools and said that in order to be full time you have to have a fence in play space next to the indoor school.