Regina daycares limiting time outdoors due to smoke [Video]

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.”

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