GO OUTSIDE WHEN IT IS "COLD"

These past few days, some of the classrooms have been colder than the outside! Tell your providers and their families, when the sun is shining, put on a coat and take the children outside!
(ERS scores for this in several items.)
Here is some advice from Southern Early Childhood Association:

The coldest time of the year is upon us, which means it's time to think about cold weather safety. Since we don't often experience extremely cold temperatures here in the South, it's a good idea to review and update your cold weather safety policies each year. Below are some guidelines that will help you keep the children in your care safe when temperatures fall:

Before children head outdoors to play in cold weather, make sure they are dressed adequately. Layers are especially helpful in snowy conditions since the outermost layer can be 'peeled off' and replaced if it gets wet.

As a rule of thumb, dress older infants and young children in one more layer of clothing than would be worn by an adult in the same conditions.
Put babies to sleep in warm one-piece sleepers as opposed to covering them with blankets, which create the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. If a blanket must be used to keep the infant warm, it should reach no higher than the baby's chest and should be tucked securely around the crib mattress.

If you notice that a child in your care is suffering from frequent winter nosebleeds, recommend to the parents or guardians that a cold air humidifier be used in the child's room at night. Saline nose drops may also help keep the nose moist and prevent nosebleeds. If severe or persistent nosebleeds occur, the child's doctor should be contacted.

Keep skin moisturized. Many pediatricians recommend bathing infants only 2-3 times per week during their first year. More frequent baths can dry the skin, especially in the winter.

Help keep cold and flu cases to a minimum with frequent hand washing and by teaching children to sneeze or cough into the bend of his elbow if a tissue is not available. Children over 6 months should be immunized against the flu virus each year.

The sun's UV rays can cause a sunburn even in the winter, especially when they reflect off of snow.
Cover any exposed skin with sunscreen before allowing children to play outside.