There are so many footwear options out there, some of them being very cute and trendy. Cute or trendy does not always mean practical though, and it is important that the footwear children wear while in child care be practical.
In Ontario, The Child Care and Early Years Act is legislation issued by the Provincial Government which governs how child care centres operate within the Province. The Act states that children who are in child care for 6 or more hours in a day must have at least 2 hours of outdoor play time, weather permitting. This means that footwear for children attending a child care centre needs to be outdoor friendly.
It’s very helpful to take your child with you when you go shoe or boot shopping, to ensure that the footwear you purchase is easy to put on and fits your child properly.
Shoes that have velcro instead of laces allow children to more easily put on their own shoes, giving them a sense of confidence and independence. They are also much easier for Educators to help children put on, saving valuable time!
Sandals that have a covered toe and heel strap, allow children to play safely outside during warmer months, without their toes being stubbed or run over by speedy wheels. The back straps, or heal straps, allow children to run, jump, and make quick turns without their sandals falling off or twisting.
Crocs, or similar shoes, are very popular footwear for children during warmer months. They are a handy shoe for times when children are playing in water because they are easy to clean and they dry quickly. However, during outdoor play times without water, Educators have anecdotally reported higher rates of children tripping and falling while wearing Croc like shoes, due to the front of the shoe appearing to catch on paved surfaces.
Winter boots should be waterproof; wet boots quickly lead to wet and cold feet, and no one wants to be outside in the winter when their feet are wet and cold. Winter boots should also be tall, so that snow pants can be pulled over top of them to keep snow from getting inside the boots.
It can be very expensive to buy footwear for growing feet. Consider looking at children’s consignment shops for used footwear at a reduced price, as well as online options for gently used children footwear.
Keep smiling everyone : )