Outdoor / Indoor Policy for Gross Motor Play

Partial-day preschoolers will have 30-60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. Full day children receive 90 or more minutes. This is achieved through Playground and Gym time, as well as Music and Movement time.
Children attending Brookline Sprouts Child Care shall play outdoors daily when weather and air quality conditions do not pose a significant health risk. Time planned for outdoor play and physical activity depends on the classroom and weather conditions.
Activities shall include structured play (led by teachers and other staff) and free play (not led by an adult).
Staff will use the outdoors as an extension of the classroom. This is done by:
- Planning outdoor lessons, activities, and walking trips.
- Incorporating gross motor skills practice (skipping, jumping, throwing, catching, kicking, balancing, stretching, etc.) into lessons, routines, transitions, and other times throughout the day.
- Staff will take advantage of “teachable moments” to talk with children about the importance of physical activity.
Adults will take an active role to help children stay active during indoor and outdoor free play time, including verbally encouraging children’s activities, and when appropriate, joining in with children’s activities to encourage more movement.
The Center will provide a variety of toys and equipment, in good condition, both indoors and outdoors, to help encourage children’s physical activity.
Staff will have opportunities to participate in Continuing Education related to physical education and activities in child care regularly.
Outdoor play will never be revoked as a punishment in order to manage challenging behaviors. If children appear overheated or overextended, they will only be removed from play for a few minutes to “cool down.” (Children with challenging behaviors will be redirected to another activity rather than sitting out all together, such as moving to the slide from the balance beam.)

Dress to Promote Indoor/Outdoor Gross Motor Play

Children shall be dressed appropriately for the weather, including wearing appropriate seasonal clothing and footwear, so they can participate fully, move freely, and play safely.
Child care providers will inform parents, caregivers, and families that children need to be dressed appropriately for the current weather conditions to play outdoors. Appropriate clothing items (such as hats and gloves) will be provided when available.
Children should wear clothing appropriate for the current weather and activities:
- Snow: heavy coat, waterproof boots, hat, and mittens.
- Different temperatures during the day: layers of clothing.
- Footwear should provide support for running and climbing. Examples of appropriate footwear include sneakers, gym shoes, and other shoes with rubber soles that enclose the feet and will not come off easily.
- Examples of inappropriate clothing and footwear include:
  - Footwear that can come off while running, or that does not provide support for climbing (examples: flip-flops and clogs).
  - Clothing that can catch on playground equipment (examples: clothes with drawstrings or loops).
  - Clothing that does not protect children from the current weather conditions.