'It affects the whole day': Regina daycares limiting time outdoors due to smoke
CTV
Regina YMCA Childcare Centres are limiting kids' time outdoors due to the wildfire smoke.
Regina YMCA Childcare Centres are limiting kids' time outdoors due to the wildfire smoke.
“It affects the whole day,” said Harbour Landing YMCA Director of Childcare Kelly Kuntz.
A heavy haze remained over Regina Tuesday as more than 600 wildfires burn across Western Canada.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) highest air quality index for the city showed a seven, or moderate.
“Any air quality seven or greater, we don’t go outside at all,” Kuntz said. “Up until then - any sort of air quality – we keep children who suffer with asthma or another breathing ailment indoors.”
But keeping kids indoors poses a tough situation for educators as the YMCA tries to have them outdoors as much as possible.
“Outside is a very big part of [our] programming,” Kuntz added. “It’s proven to lessen behaviors and give kids added health benefits.”
