SNOW DAZE!

I have no idea why we British are surprised when it snows! 

Let's be honest, unless it's Christmas Day when you can actually put money on the Met Office saying it's NOT a 'White Christmas', wintery weather can hit at any time. Not only is March snow fairy common, but sleet in August isn't unheard of!

However, we never seem prepared for it.
Nationally, the infrastructure isn't there. Some counties rely on farmers clearing the smaller roads, many councils wait till the last minute to grit the main routes, and no one knows whose responsibility the pavements are!

It countries used to snow there are standard understandings - clear your own path and the pavement in front of your building, grit the same area for safety. Councils own snow ploughs and many other vehicles have then fitted when needed. Even in Scotland there is a fleet of snow ploughs waiting to make routes passable. South of the border it slowly dwindles until even a small amount of snowfall brings life to a halt!

On a personal level, individuals seem to have varied ideas on how to cope with sub zero temperatures. This morning I passed people in skirts and high heels making slow progress to a freezing bus-stop. I saw children heading to the train station in a school blazer and black shoes. I watched children arrive at school in warm cars dressed in jumpers and school trousers, with no coat  for break time or lunchtime play outside.

In Forest School we had tears, as a few children had great nylon overclothes to keep the mud at bay, but nothing more substantial underneath. Others had no gloves, and arrived at school with hands already scarlet from the cold.

Layering up always sounds like the actions of an explorer or skier heading off to the mountains. If you are lucky enough to have such specific clothing that is great - if not - you can still pile on the clothes!

There is plenty of advice out there for 'What to wear in Cold Weather:

But, in the way that local Governments departments do not like to invest in gritters and now ploughs that will only be used a few times a year, most parents do not want to spend a fortune on ski-wear for children who will grow out of it. So how do you ensure your child is cosy and dry?

Start with a base layer.

Instead of, or as well as a vest, put on a T-shirt, if there isn't a long-sleeved one a short sleeve one will still add insulation to the body. 
A jumper, a thin one, followed by a thick one. At Chartham we don't insist on uniform for Forest School, so whatever will fit!
Trousers - with leggings or tights underneath - for boys or girls! I know an awful lot of motorcyclists of all genders who swear by wearing tights as a base layer!

Socks! 2 Pairs! Or wear one and send in another to wear over the top with wellies.
Gloves - these are tricky, as as soon as they are wet they add to the problem! I have known children arrive with plastic gloves UNDERNEATH their wooly ones, and children arrive with marigolds over the top of their gloves!! I've even seen sandwich bags held on with hair ties!!!
Hats and scarves are definitely a bonus.

THEN think about what to go on top. If there is rain or snow then something waterproof is very useful - but not always warm - hence the layers first.

Finally - if there is a chance your child will still end up with damp socks, wet gloves. or a sodden bottom from sitting in the snow/puddles, make sure there is something warm and dry to put on afterwards!

The idea of Forest School started in Scandinavia, where it is much colder than the UK, and it still thrives there. For instance, Finnish children are out in snowdrifts for longer than 2 hours and explore, learn, and enjoy the experience daily. For them, investing in quality ski wear is worth the effort and expense as the children will use it a lot. Here in the suburbs of Canterbury, we're unlikely to wading through drifts of snow for weeks on end! However, we can still be prepared to keep children warm and happy when the weather springs a little taste of an arctic winter on us!

Now I know, because I had EYFS with me this morning, that younger children are easier to do this with! Their outdoor clothing is fairly easy to find, but it becomes more tricky as they grow. I also know that older children frequently have their own ideas about what they wear... Therefore layering up of their own clothes - even if it's stuff that is a little too small, or has a hole here and there, or still has that paint stain from crafting - means less hunting around.

For those of you who are into a bargain:
Charity shops often have either old snow suits or cheap fleeces/hoodies.
Aldi and Lidl frequently have waterproofs, and fleecy wellies, in their central aisles.
Amazon has a lot of waterproofs at a range of prices.

Hand-me-downs, second-hand, sale items, or swapped with other parents, it doesn't matter where the clothing destined for the mud kitchen, the Dig Pit, or snow-covered Kent comes from!

What matters is a warm and dry child!