Extreme Temperature Policy

For Childminding and Early Years Settings — September 2026

Policy Statement:

At Just Little Ones Childminding, we are committed to protecting children from the risks associated with extreme heat and cold.

We will monitor conditions, adapt activities and care arrangements, and take prompt action where temperatures could affect children’s health, safety or well-being.

This policy covers indoor and outdoor environments, sleep spaces, outings, transport, and failures of heating, electricity or water supplies.

Responsibility:

Person responsible for monitoring conditions and making operational decisions:
Jemma Ferriday- Childminder

Alternative person, where applicable:
Dale Ferriday- assistant childminder

Everyone working in the setting must recognise signs of temperature-related distress and report concerns immediately.

Monitoring and Risk Assessment:

  • We will check local forecasts, Met Office warnings and relevant UKHSA Heat-Health and Cold-Health Alerts.
  • We will assess actual conditions at our premises rather than relying solely on forecast temperatures.
  • During extreme weather, indoor temperatures will be checked before children arrive and regularly throughout the day, including in sleep areas.
  • We will consider children’s ages, health, clothing, activity levels and ability to communicate discomfort.
  • Significant concerns, protective measures and decisions to change or suspend provision will be recorded.

Thermometer locations and checking arrangements:
House and Log cabin

Children Who May Need Additional Support:

Babies, young children and children with certain medical conditions may be particularly vulnerable.

We will agree individual arrangements with parents and seek advice from a child’s healthcare team where necessary. This may include children who:

  • Have difficulty regulating their temperature.
  • Need support to drink or communicate discomfort.
  • Have restricted mobility.
  • Take medication affecting their response to heat or cold.
  • Have an existing healthcare plan.

Prescribed medication will not be changed without appropriate medical advice.

Managing Extreme Heat:

During very hot weather, we will:

  • Move activities to cooler areas and provide regular rest opportunities.
  • Avoid vigorous physical activity.
  • Use shade and reduce exposure to direct sunlight.
  • Adjust outdoor times, especially around the hottest part of the day.
  • Encourage suitable lightweight clothing and sun hats.
  • Keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight.
  • Follow our Sun Protection Policy for appropriate sunscreen use.

Indoors, we will:

  • Shade sun-facing windows.
  • Ventilate when outside air is cooler, while maintaining security and safe window restrictions.
  • Balance heat reduction with adequate ventilation.
  • Switch off unnecessary heat-producing equipment.
  • Use fans safely and only in suitable conditions. Fans must not be relied upon to make an overheated room safe; UKHSA advises their use below 35°C.
  • Keep electrical equipment and cables inaccessible to children.

These measures reflect UKHSA guidance for early years settings.

Hydration and Feeding:

  • Fresh drinking water will be readily available to children for whom it is age-appropriate.
  • Drinks will be offered frequently, including to children who may not ask.
  • We will watch for reduced drinking, fewer wet nappies and other signs of dehydration.
  • Babies’ usual milk feeds will continue, with feeding arrangements reviewed with parents during hot weather.
  • Fully breastfed babies who have not started solids do not normally need additional water.
  • Formula-fed babies under six months may need small amounts of cooled boiled water alongside their normal feeds, following NHS guidance and individual advice where needed.
  • Formula will always be prepared at the correct concentration; it will not be diluted to provide extra water.
  • Children with prescribed fluid restrictions or specialist feeding plans will follow their healthcare advice.

Source: NHS guidance on drinks for babies and young children.

Safe Sleep During Hot or Cold Weather:

Our Safe Sleep Policy remains applicable in all weather conditions.

  • Sleep-area temperatures will be monitored.
  • The recommended room temperature for babies is 16–20°C. This is a recommended sleep range, not a universal closure threshold.
  • Clothing and bedding will be adjusted to the conditions and the child’s needs, following relevant product instructions.
  • Children’s heads will remain uncovered during normal sleep.
  • Extra bedding, hot water bottles, electric blankets or direct heaters will not be used to compensate for an unsuitable sleep environment.
  • Babies under six months will have an adult in the same room for every sleep.
  • Sleeping children will remain within sight and hearing, with frequent checks.
  • Where a sleep area cannot be made safe, we will use a suitable alternative that meets supervision requirements or arrange collection if safe care cannot continue.

Source: September 2026 EYFS childminder framework, sleeping arrangements.

Managing Extreme Cold:

During very cold weather, we will:

  • Maintain comfortably warm indoor conditions appropriate to children’s needs.
  • Check heating before opening and respond promptly to faults.
  • Provide suitable layers, coats, hats, gloves and footwear for outdoor activities.
  • Replace wet clothing promptly.
  • Shorten or cancel outdoor activities where wind chill, wet conditions, ice or children’s responses make them unsafe.
  • Pay particular attention to babies and children who are less active.
  • Remove unnecessary outdoor clothing once indoors to prevent overheating.
  • Check paths, entrances and outdoor equipment for ice and other hazards.

Portable heaters, if used, must be suitable, safely positioned and protected against burns and fire risks. They must not obstruct exits or be accessible to children.

We will not use ovens, barbecues or camping appliances to heat indoor spaces.

Outings, Pushchairs and Transport:

Before travelling, we will assess the route, journey length, shelter, drinking water, transport conditions and the needs of each child.

  • Outings and school runs will be adapted or cancelled where risks cannot be managed.
  • Pushchair sunshades must allow airflow. Blankets or similar coverings will not be draped over pushchairs to block the sun.
  • Children in pushchairs will be checked frequently.
  • Vehicle temperature and hot contact surfaces will be checked before children enter.
  • Children will never be left unattended in vehicles.
  • Delays and breakdowns will be managed through our emergency arrangements.
  • If safe transport or collection arrangements cannot be maintained, parents will be contacted promptly.

Source: NHS advice on babies’ safety in hot weather.

Recognising and Responding to Heat-Related Illness:

Signs may include unusual irritability, tiredness, thirst, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating or pale, clammy skin.

If heat exhaustion is suspected, we will:

  • Stop activity and move the child to a cool place.
  • Remove unnecessary clothing.
  • Cool their skin with cool water and airflow.
  • Offer appropriate fluids if they are fully alert and able to swallow safely.
  • Stay with them and seek NHS 111 advice if concerned or symptoms are difficult to manage.

Suspected heatstroke is an emergency: call 999 immediately.

Warning signs include confusion, seizures, collapse, abnormal responsiveness, very high temperature or breathing difficulties. We will not wait for a thermometer reading or assume sweating rules out heatstroke.

We will also call 999 if the child remains unwell after 30 minutes of cooling and fluids. We will not wait 30 minutes where emergency signs are already present.

While awaiting help, we will continue safe cooling and follow emergency-service instructions and paediatric first aid training. Nothing will be given by mouth to an unconscious child.

Source: NHS heat exhaustion and heatstroke guidance.

Recognising and Responding to Cold-Related Illness:

Concerning signs include persistent shivering, cold skin, unusual tiredness, confusion or slow breathing. Babies may become floppy, unusually quiet, sleepy or reluctant to feed.

If hypothermia is suspected, we will call 999.

While waiting for help, we will:

  • Move the child indoors or to shelter.
  • Remove wet clothing and wrap them in dry blankets or towels.
  • Stay with them and monitor breathing and responsiveness.
  • Follow emergency-service instructions.

We will not use a hot bath, hot water bottle or direct heat to warm the child, or rub their limbs.

Source: NHS hypothermia guidance.

Deciding Whether Care Can Continue:

We will not base decisions solely on a single temperature reading or warning colour.

The responsible person will assess whether we can maintain:

  • Safe indoor and sleep conditions.
  • Drinking water, hygiene and food safety.
  • Suitable staffing and supervision.
  • Safe access, outings and collection arrangements.
  • Appropriate care for children with additional needs.

If risks cannot be adequately controlled, we will restrict affected activities, arrange early collection or temporarily close.

Children will remain safely supervised until collected by an authorised person. Any alternative premises must be suitable and permitted under our registration and insurance arrangements.

Workplace temperature guidance does not provide a universal safe temperature for babies or a single maximum temperature at which every early years setting must close. Children’s needs and actual risks will guide our decisions. Source: HSE temperature guidance.

Heating, Power or Water Failure:

If essential services fail, we will assess the immediate effect on safe care, including heating or cooling, drinking water, handwashing, toilets, food storage and communications.

We will activate our Emergency and Alternative Care or Critical Incident procedures where necessary. Unsafe provision will not continue while awaiting repairs.

Communication with Parents:

Parents will be informed promptly about significant changes, required clothing or supplies, collection requests and reopening arrangements.

We ask parents to:

  • Provide suitable clothing and spare clothes.
  • Keep emergency contacts current.
  • Share relevant health advice and changes in their child’s needs.
  • Remain contactable during severe weather.

Any fees or refunds relating to closure will be addressed through our existing contract and Fees Policy, subject to applicable requirements.

Recording, Reporting and Review:

  • Illness, injury and first aid will be recorded and parents informed promptly.
  • Required notifications to Ofsted, our childminder agency or other authorities will be made under the applicable reporting procedures.
  • We will review incidents, near misses and closures to improve future arrangements.
  • This policy will be reviewed annually and sooner if guidance, premises or children’s needs change.

Related Policies:

Health and Safety; Risk Assessment; Safe Sleep; Sun Protection; Adverse Weather; Outdoor Play; Outings; Transport; Paediatric First Aid; Medication; Emergency and Alternative Care; Critical Incident Plan; Fees.

Signed: Jemma Ferriday
Role: Childminder
Date adopted: September 2026
Next review date: 2027