Thirteen childcare centers in Assen will close Friday due to forecasted extreme heat. This was reported by the Nationale Onderwijsgids. The closure affects both daycare centers (kinderdagverblijven/KDV) and after-school care (BSO) locations, leaving hundreds of parents to arrange alternative care for their children at short notice.
Heat protocol childcare
The decision to close aligns with the heat protocol that many childcare organizations follow. During extreme temperatures, especially when indoor heat cannot be sufficiently regulated, children's safety and health may be compromised. Young children, and particularly babies, have less ability to regulate their body temperature and face a higher risk of heat-related complaints.
Childcare centers take various measures during heat waves, such as extra drinking breaks, reduced outdoor activities, and closing curtains. When these measures prove insufficient, closure may be the last resort. The choice to close preventively before the heat wave actually hits indicates a careful weighing of risks.
Large-scale closure rare
The simultaneous closure of thirteen locations in one city is remarkable. Heat-related closures usually involve individual locations with specific problems, such as a lack of air conditioning or an unfavorable building orientation. The large-scale approach in Assen suggests that either a single organization operates behind these centers with a uniform policy, or that the forecasted temperatures are so extreme that multiple organizations independently reach the same conclusion.
What does this mean for parents?
For parents with children at one of the closed locations, an immediate practical problem arises. The childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) does not cover alternative care in case of unexpected closure, unless parents have taken out a safety net arrangement with their insurer. Employers are not legally required to grant parental leave for such situations, although many collective labor agreements do provide for this.
Parents can take the following steps:
- Contact the childcare centers for information on the expected duration of the closure
- Call nearby care locations to inquire about available emergency places
- Informally reach out to family or friends
- Discuss with their employer whether working from home or flexible working is possible
The closure underscores the increasing pressure on the childcare sector from climate change. More extreme weather conditions call for investment in better buildings and clear protocols, so that care can continue safely even during heat waves.