The Childcare Sector Association has published an overview that allows childcare organizations to check their locations for heat preparedness. The compilation of information comes at a time when Dutch summers are increasingly experiencing extreme temperatures, with all the consequences for the health and safety of young children.
Why heat preparation is essential
Children up to four years old experience heat more intensely than adults. Their body temperature regulation is not yet fully developed, making them more susceptible to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and in severe cases heatstroke. Childcare locations therefore have a special duty of care on warm days.
The Childcare Sector Association points out that preparation for heat is not only about the moment when the thermometer rises. It also concerns structural measures: the layout of the building, having sufficient shaded areas outside, and having protocols in place for extreme heat.
What is included in the overview?
The central page includes, among other things:
- Checklists to systematically review your own location
- Guidelines for ventilation and sun protection
- Tips for ensuring adequate fluid intake in children
- Points of attention for outdoor activities during warm weather
- Signs of heat-related health complaints in children
The sector association emphasizes that every type of childcare location — from new construction to heritage building, from city garden to rural setting — has its own points of attention. What works in one situation is not automatically applicable in another.
What does this mean for parents?
Parents can explicitly ask questions about heat preparedness when choosing a childcare location. Is there sufficient shade in the outdoor area? How is the indoor temperature regulated? What protocol does the location follow during a heatwave?
The Municipal Health Service (GGD) also checks climate control and safety during inspections, but parents would be wise to proactively discuss this topic themselves. During prolonged heat, it is also advisable to pay extra attention at drop-off and pick-up: mention whether your child has already drunk a lot that day or is particularly sensitive to heat.
The full information is available via kinderopvang.nl, the website of the Childcare Sector Association.