Colds and Outdoor Play


What causes a cold?


A cold is not caused by exposure to cold air, dampness or being outside.

A cold is a viral infection.


How is a cold spread?


When a child coughs, the virus in their saliva is sprayed into the air and breathed in by other children. Colds are also spread by touching - the virus goes from skin to skin.


Why are colds common in the winter time?


The cold weather means that children spend more time indoors with the windows shut. Germs spread more easily in the cosy, warm environment. Research shows that children are more likely to catch a cold if the heat is turned up.


How can we prevent the spread of colds?


  • Wash hands frequently, especially before eating food and after going to the toilet.

  • Kissing on the mouth spreads germs. Kissing on the forehead or on the cheek will not spread as many germs.

  • Children should be taught to cough or sneeze into their elbow not their hands.

  • Children must have access to fresh air. Sunlight is known to kill viruses.

  • Children should be going outside even in cold, damp weather. Research shows that winter weather will not worsen any cold symptoms. It is harder for germs to travel in fresh air.

  • Fun and relaxation! Stress makes everybody more vulnerable to infections. Research shows that people under stress are more likely to experience a cold than people who are stress free.

  • SMOKING – BABIES AND CHILDREN LIVING WITH SMOKERS ARE MORE PRONE TO CATCH COLDS AND HAVE MORE DIFFICULTY GETTING BETTER. SMOKING IN THE CAR IS VERY BAD FOR YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS.

Other benefits of playing outside


Physical activity and energetic play provides exercise, encourages co-ordination and helps children develop physical skills.


The Children’s Play Council has done some research that shows that children who have easy, regular access to outdoor, energetic play:


  • Are better at physical tasks e.g. doing up a coat, neat hand writing and so on.

  • Are fitter and are more able to keep up with their friends in the playground at school.

  • Are less likely to become stressed and anxious.


RESEARCH ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND CHILDREN’S LEARNING HAS PROVED WITHOUT ANY DOUBT THAT PHYSICALLY ACTIVITY INCREASES THE FLOW OF BLOOD TO THE BRAIN, THIS HELPS THE CONNECTIONS IN CHILDREN’S BRAINS TO GROW AND MULTIPLY AND TO WORK MORE EFFECTIVELY.


Wet Wet Wet

It has been proved that children learn better as a direct result of physical exercise. Physical exercise has been proven to help children concentrate, to be more alert and to have improved scores in their school tests.


In order to keep warm outside children need:


  • Layers of clothing – vest, t-shirt, fleece, hat, socks and/or tights
  • Waterproof boots or shoes
  • Waterproof, warm coat
  • Scarf and Gloves
  • Clothing that is labelled with their name


Where has this information come from?


The National Children’s Bureau highlights number 195 Colds: How they’re spread and How to Prevent Them by
Dr Karen Sokal-Gutierrez M.D., M.P.H.
Infections in Medicine 11: 235-242 1994
www.medicalplanet.com
The Family Encyclopaedia of Disease
www.kidsmatter.uk.com


Playground

We hope all this information helps you to understand why we expect, and encourage, your children to play outside whenever possible!


Rachel and Margaret McMillan knew all this was true back in 1914 when the nursery was first open – we are just following in their footsteps!

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Our Inclusion Policy


  • At Rachel McMillan Nursery we welcome all children.

  • This policy complements several of our other policies including our Equal Opportunities Policy, Behaviour Policy and Admission Policy.

  • These policies all embrace inclusive educational practices as well as a commitment to combat all forms of discrimination.

  • Children with disabilities and special educational needs are positively welcomed into our nursery.

  • In keeping with Borough policy, children with particular needs are given priority for admittance.

  • We aim to ensure that all our children have the same entitlement to the curriculum.

  • Meeting individual needs, working towards continual progression and raising achievement underlie this policy as well as being an overall aim of our nursery.

  • All members of staff work towards this goal.

  • We believe firmly that we cannot achieve this without a commitment to working in partnership with mums, dads and carers.

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What does the Governing Body do?


  • The Governing Body is responsible for monitoring and evaluating our nursery’s performance.

  • It is responsible for all aspects of the nursery’s administration including the appointment of staff, the delivery of the curriculum, the management and control of the budget and the implementation of the Development Plan.

  • The Governors give advice and support to the Headteacher and the nursery staff.

  • The Governing Body is made up of representatives from teachers, support staff, parents, the Local Authority and the community.

  • If you want to tell us anything about your experience at the nursery please contact any of the staff or the parent governors.

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What is Child Protection and Safeguarding?


  • Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility staff, mums, dads and carers.

  • Protecting children from harm, physical or emotional, cannot be separated from policies that aim to improve children’s lives as a whole.

  • Three pieces of legislation (Section 11 of the Children Act 2004, Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 and Every Child Matters) place a duty on our nursery to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in everything we do.

  • Staff are trained to be familiar with the roles and responsibilities for the protection of children.

  • The Governing Body ensures that appropriate procedures are up to date and in place.

  • The designated member of staff responsible for all aspects of child protection is the Headteacher.

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