Nurseries Close or Reduce Hours as Heatwave Temperatures Set to Exceed 37°C

Early years settings across the country are facing unprecedented operational challenges as extreme heat warnings come into effect, with forecasters predicting temperatures exceeding 37 degrees Celsius. The situation has created a patchwork of responses across the sector, with some childcare providers opting for temporary closures or reduced hours whilst others implement modified routines designed to keep children and staff safe from heat-related illness. Those remaining open are introducing practical adaptations including rescheduling outdoor play to cooler parts of the day, creating additional shaded areas, increasing fluid intake monitoring, and adjusting uniform policies to allow lighter clothing. These measures reflect the statutory welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which mandate that providers must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and comfortable whilst maintaining the quality of care and education. For local authorities, the heatwave presents both immediate safeguarding considerations and longer-term planning questions. Cabinet members with responsibility for early years must balance support for struggling providers against the critical need to maintain sufficiency of childcare places for working families. The increasing frequency of such extreme weather events also raises important questions about the resilience of early years infrastructure, particularly in older buildings ill-equipped for sustained high temperatures, and the need for updated guidance on heatwave protocols across the sector.