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How often do kids in day-care centers get outside?

I read a rather alarming study on the Children & Nature Network Web site about the disconnect between day-care centers and outdoor play. The study, which included 34 child-care centers in the Cincinatti area, noted that kids between the ages of three and six in day-care centers aren't getting outdoors enough due to a number of factors including: parents didn't send a warm enough jacket; kids were eating the bark chips (!); teachers didn't want to stand outside in the cold weather; kids wore flip-flops to school. If one child had innapropriate clothing, like flip-flops or no coat, then the entire class had to stay inside.

At my son's preschool they will go out for half an hour (it's only a 3-hour morning program) unless it is raining because there isn't a covered play area. In the winter we send him in rainboots, mittens, hat and warm jacket, and the teachers will take the time to make sure each child is bundled up.

How about your child's day-care center or preschool? Do they get outdoors, even in the cold weather, for some active play?

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