The outdoors and field trips are an important extension of each classroom.
Daily active outdoor play is essential for the health and well being of young children. As a central part of the program, all children will go outside when weather, air quality, and environmental safety conditions do not pose a health risk as determined by local weather advisories. Children who are too ill to participate in outdoor play during a day should remain home.
All children should be dressed appropriately for the weather. Teachers and the Director consider temperature, humidity and precipitation, wind chill factors, and weather advisories when deciding about the suitability of outdoor play on a given day. Children typically play outside unless prohibited by active precipitation or local weather advisory. The length of outdoor play is modified to best meet the needs of the children during extreme weather conditions.
Active Play
When weather conditions prevent outdoor opportunities for large-motor activities, the program provides similar activities for active play inside. Indoor equipment meets national safety standards and is closely supervised.
Appropriate Clothing & Sunscreen
All children should be dressed appropriately for the weather. In very cold weather children should come to school with hats, gloves or mittens, and layers to protect against cold. In hot weather children should dress comfortably and bring sunscreen with UVB and UVA protection of SPF 15 or higher for sun protection (see medication administration for permission to apply sunscreen to children). The playgrounds have ample shade where children may choose play with minimum sun exposure.
Insect repellent
Parents may choose to send insect repellent for use when conditions warrant. The center complies when public health authorities recommend use of DEET-based insect repellents due to a high risk of insect-borne disease. At that time parents are strongly encouraged to send repellents containing DEET for any child older than two months. Staff apply insect repellent no more than once a day and only with written parental permission (see medication administration).
Fields Trips
Field trips are a component of the education program therefore teachers will be taking children over three years old on short trips from time to time. Parents will be notified prior to any field trip. Any and all times that teachers take children outside of the fenced in playground, they take along child emergency cards, the daily attendance book, and a first aid kit. In cases when field trips are scheduled away from the Hampton site a specific signed permission form for each child will be required. These specific permission forms require the date, time, location, and purpose of the trip as well as the signature of a parent or guardian. Signed permission forms are kept in the child’s file for the duration of the school year. Field trips require greater supervision and transportation, therefore, parents are invited to accompany the children. In accordance with North Carolina law, appropriate child safety restraints are used at all times for children. With written permission, children ride in the cars of parents/families in approved safety seats.
Note: Art is a large part of our curriculum. We also venture out of the classroom to explore nature and our community.