⏱️ 2-minute read

Background

At KidHub, the safety and well-being of children, staff, and families are our top priorities. Extreme weather conditions, such as heat waves or severe cold, require careful planning and proactive measures to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our care.

Purpose

To ensure the safety and comfort of the children and staff by providing guidelines for outdoor play during extreme weather.

This policy outlines our procedures and guidelines for managing extreme weather situations.

By implementing proactive measures and effective communication strategies, we can minimize the risks associated with extreme weather conditions and ensure the safety and comfort of everyone in our care a

Procedure

Heat Wave Procedures

During periods of extreme heat, the following procedures will be implemented:

  1. Monitoring Weather Conditions: Our staff will regularly monitor weather forecasts to anticipate heat waves and extreme temperatures.
  2. Indoor Activities: Whenever possible, outdoor activities will be limited during peak heat hours (e.g. short periods of water play or play in the shade), and children will engage in indoor activities in cool, well-ventilated spaces.
  3. Hydration: Adequate hydration is essential to prevent heat-related illnesses. We will ensure that children have access to water throughout the day and encourage regular hydration breaks.
  4. Sun Protection: When outdoor activities are unavoidable, children will be provided with sun protection measures, including hats, sunscreen, and shade.
  5. Cool Down Strategies: We will implement strategies to help children cool down, such as providing cool towels, offering frozen treats, and adjusting indoor temperatures as necessary.
  6. Communication with Parents: Parents will be informed of any changes to our regular procedures due to heat wave conditions.

Severe Cold Procedures

During periods of extreme cold, particularly when temperatures drop below -20°C, the following procedures will be implemented:

  1. Monitoring Weather Conditions: Our staff will monitor weather forecasts for extreme cold warnings and take appropriate precautions.
  2. Indoor Activities: Outdoor activities will be limited, and children will participate in indoor activities to avoid prolonged exposure to the cold.