☀️ Child Safety in Extreme Heat: What Child Care Providers Need to Know
- Kimberly Kostas
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
As a healthcare consultant living in Massachusetts offering services for child care centers across New England, one of the most pressing seasonal health concerns I see is heat-related illness in young children in the summertime. With intermittent heat waves in the summer time, it’s crucial for daycares, preschools, and summer camps to take extra precautions during extreme temperatures. All New Englanders know that Mother Nature can be a bit indecisive in these parts, so it is always best to be prepared for anything!
This post will walk you through key strategies to keep kids healthy in daycare, with guidance specifically tailored for child care providers who live in areas that experience hot weather.
🔥 Why Heat Is So Dangerous for Children
Children are more vulnerable to heat because:
Their bodies heat up faster than adults’.
They don’t always recognize when they’re overheated.
Their ability to cool down (by sweating) isn’t fully developed.(Source: CDC)
In child care settings—especially outdoor camps or classrooms without strong ventilation—this can quickly become a top health concern in daycare programs during summer.
🌡️ Recognize Signs of Heat-Related Illness
Staff should be trained to recognize early symptoms:
Heat exhaustion: headache, dizziness, nausea, cool/clammy skin
Heat stroke (medical emergency!): confusion, red/hot/dry skin, rapid pulse, loss of consciousness (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)
Post these symptoms near outdoor areas or on staff boards for quick reference.
✅ Prevention Tips from a Child Health Care Consultant
Here’s how child care staff can protect children from heat-related illness:
1. Monitor Outdoor Time Carefully
Follow your state licensing agency's weather safety guidelines.
Avoid outdoor play between 10 AM – 2 PM, when UV exposure peaks.
Use shaded areas or create them with canopies.
2. Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
Provide water every 20 minutes, not just when kids ask.
Encourage water breaks with songs, games, or "hydration buddies".
3. Dress Smart
Light-colored, breathable clothes
Hats with brims for sun protection
Consider a "cool clothing checklist" for parents to follow
4. Keep Indoor Spaces Cool
Close blinds during the hottest part of the day
Use fans, AC, or portable air units
Cool down with sponge baths or misting bottles
5. Daily Health Checks
I often recommend developing a “Summer Safety Checklist” that includes heat precautions. This could include temperature checks and hydration checks.
🧯Emergency Response: Be Ready
All staff should know:
How to recognize heat stroke and respond quickly
When to call 911
Where to find emergency hydration supplies or cooling items
Develop a heat safety protocol as part of your broader childcare illness policy and train all seasonal staff before hot days begin.
📝 Partner with a Nurse Consultant for Support
A child healthcare consultant for child care centers in MA can help your program:
Develop custom heat safety plans
Train staff on early signs of heat illness
Ensure compliance with Massachusetts health and safety regulations
If you’re unsure where to start, I currently offer childcare health consulting services in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to support daycares, preschools, and camps in creating safer environments year-round. Check us out and sign up now at:
📚 References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Extreme Heat and Children. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/children.html
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Summer Safety Tips. https://www.healthychildren.org
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. (n.d.). Weather Safety Guidelines.
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