This year we’ve already had temperature records broken in May and it's likely that we will continue to have more extreme weather events. We thought it might be useful to pull together some information and suggestions for hot weather protocols.
What does the law say?
In England there isn’t a maximum temperature for workplaces. The Health & Safety Executive have an information sheet (here) which says that the employer has a responsibility to keep the temperature at a comfortable level and to provide clean and fresh air.
Ofsted don’t mention room temperature and the EYFS only has one reference to ‘unsafe weather conditions’ in section 3.83 which is referring to access to outside space. The new Sleep guidance does mention a recommended room temperature of between 16 and 20oC. (see here).
The DfE published a blog last year called ‘how we deal with hot weather in schools and other education settings’ which you might also find useful (see here)
Is heat an issue?
If all settings had air-conditioning then this would be less of an issue but we know that this isn’t the reality and actually, although people often claim that this is how hot countries deal with the heat this isn’t really true and many settings around the world deal with these types of temperatures on a regular basis.
It’s also worth remembering that most families don’t have air-con at home and for some children being in setting is the safest place for them, even more so when they are coping with extremes of temperature. You also have an important role to play in supporting and educating parents on how best to help their children safely navigate hot weather.
However, heat stroke and heat related illness is a real issue and young children are particularly susceptible.
This information from the NHS covers the difference between heatstroke and heat exhaustion: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/
This information from the Red Cross sets out how to support a child with heat exhaustion (heatstroke is a medical emergency and you should call 999 if this is suspected): https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid-for-babies-and-children/heat-exhaustion
So what can we do to keep everyone comfortable and still learning?
Review your building
As part of your Climate Action Plan you should be considering the impact of more extreme weather and so you may have already reviewed your building. There are some relatively simple steps you can take such as:
- Adding heat reflective film to your windows. We found this blog about the benefits but it is written by a supplier! Solar Control Window Film: Does It Work? | Lustalux · Lustalux
- Reviewing blinds/shutters/curtains and using them strategically through the day. Keeping blinds and curtains closed can block out a large amount of heat and the general advice is to keep them closed along with windows while the sun is on them, opening them when the sun has moved or ideally in the early morning/evening.
- Use of fans or air conditioners. Obviously you need to be very mindful about placement of fans or other units, risk assessing them and any cables needed.
- Consider turning off any unnecessary electronic equipment and even lights! They all add heat even if it’s quite minimal.
- In the longer term (and if you have permission from the building owners) you could look at adding shaded areas alongside the building to reduce direct solar impact.
Review your garden
The more greenery the cooler the area will be, unfortunately hard surfaces and artificial grass are not good in the heat even though they might be useful when it’s wet in the winter! If you have a forest area which is naturally shady this might be your coolest place.
If you have plastic or metal play equipment and/or astro turf you will need to risk assess these and monitor the surface temperature of them.
Adding shade which allows you to be outside for longer will be a big help if you have a hot building. Most of our own settings have had permanent canopies added in the last few years to create outside classrooms. These are great as they allow children to be outside in all weathers including heat. We’ve been able to secure grants for some of these from local councils or other organisations so it’s worth considering if you have the room.
Change your activities
- Keep really active play to early morning and plan other calmer activities for the hottest parts of the day.
- Encourage your staff to enjoy water play! This is where they have an advantage over workers in other sectors – they can plan activities that help to keep them cool as well as the children. When it’s hot we often ask parents at our settings to send in water appropriate clothing (such as rash vests) or at least a change of clothes, then get creative with all the ways you can play with and learn from water! Be careful about using hose pipes and make sure that you discharge any standing water in them away from the children as they can get very hot.
- Think about your snacks – hot days are a great time to get the children eating fruit with a high water content (melons/watermelon, strawberries, cucumber and even tomato are all in this category). Obviously you still need to encourage them to drink water.
- Consider ice play but again risk assess to ensure that you avoid ice burns.
- Have lots of gentle activities available to keep attention without the need for running around in the heat.
Keep your staff happy
Do you have a uniform and do you allow staff to vary it when it’s really hot? Be particularly mindful about footwear and risk assess suitability for the activities that staff are undertaking (some settings allow open-toed shoes or Croc style ones in 'sport mode' - others take the view that these aren't safe enough).
Increase their breaks and ensure they have access to cold drinks – the odd ice lolly always goes down well too!
Ask them what they want to do. Closing the setting and lying by a pool probably isn’t a practical suggestion but they might have ideas of ways to use the building and outside space or small tweaks that would help them.
Model good practice with parents
Having a strong sun protection policy which is enforced, along with rules on covered shoulders and hats will help get children and families into the habit of using them, along with understanding why they’re so important. (You can purchase our sun protection policy and parent agreement here).
Think about where and how you store your lunchboxes. Do you ask parents to keep food safe to eat with ice blocks / water bottles? If you use a lunchbox trolley make sure you are storing it out of direct sun.
We have some social media slides that members can download and share on their platforms highlighting these areas (see Activities and Resources in the members area here: PATA (UK) - Members Area).
You can also share the ‘Summer Spectacular’ activities from the same folder. There are some that would be particularly suitable for hot weather days.
Overall extreme weather is something that we are dealing with on a much more regular basis and that includes heat. Helping practitioners to be comfortable and confident, as well as supporting children and families in all situations is what our sector does best!
