Heatwave Guidance: Helping Nurseries Keep Children Safe and Cool in Extreme Heat

As the UK experiences more frequent and intense heatwaves, early years providers face growing pressure to adapt their environments and routines to keep young children safe. Nurseries must balance the developmental benefits of outdoor play with the serious risks posed by extreme temperatures, particularly for under-fives who are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and dehydration. Practical measures include adjusting daily schedules to avoid peak outdoor exposure between 11am and 3pm, ensuring constant access to shaded areas, and increasing fluid intake throughout the day. Indoor spaces should be ventilated and cooled where possible, with staff trained to recognise signs of heat stress in non-verbal children who may struggle to communicate discomfort. While safeguarding children from immediate heat-related harm is essential, settings should also maintain a sense of normalcy and joy. Creative indoor activities, water play in shaded areas, and flexible nap times can help nurseries weather the heat without compromising the quality of early education and care that supports school readiness and development.