The majority of daycare centers (kinderdagverblijven/KDV) in the Netherlands stayed open despite last week's extreme heat. This was revealed by a survey by childcare platform Kiddie. The survey found that 68% of locations decided to stay open, while 22% closed their doors for at least one full day, and only 10% opted for partial-day closure.
Financial incentive to stay open
Unlike schools, daycare centers are commercial businesses, and that factors into the decision to remain open. If a daycare center closes due to heat, parents do not have to pay for that day. However, fixed costs continue to accrue, so closure has immediate financial consequences. Additionally, closure can be poorly received by some parents, so locations do everything they can to stay open.
When must a daycare center close due to heat?
There is no legal temperature limit at which a daycare center must close. However, locations are required to prepare for extreme heat and ensure children's safety.
As a guideline, a maximum temperature of 27 degrees applies in group rooms and 25 degrees in bedrooms. From 26 degrees onward, the measures in the heat protocol must take effect. Some organizations also apply their own, stricter limits in their policy or protocol, which they are also required to have.
Extra attention goes to babies. They cannot regulate their own body temperature and cannot indicate that they are too warm, making them especially vulnerable in heat.
The heat protocol in childcare
Every daycare center is therefore required to have a heat protocol. This protocol describes three things. First, prevention: measures to keep spaces cool, such as sun shading, closing windows, and turning on air conditioning. Second, safe care during extreme heat, with extra drinking moments, sun protection, and adapted activities. Finally, the protocol outlines the steps regarding closure: who is consulted, at what values or temperatures, and when and how parents are informed. The decision to close is made per location and per part of the day.
What helped locations stay open?
Locations that stayed open cited two main things in conversations with Kiddie: the presence of air conditioning and sufficient shaded areas outside. Additionally, they provided extra rest moments and kept children well hydrated. Locations without air conditioning had noticeably more difficulty and were more often forced to take measures or close after all.
What can you do as a parent?
Want to know how your daycare center handles heat? Ask about their heat protocol and check whether the location has air conditioning or other cooling options. Also be alert to an agreed maximum temperature, so your child's safety remains guaranteed.
When your location is closed, you do not have to pay for these hours. You will also not receive childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) for these hours; you must report this change to the Dienst Toeslagen (Benefits Agency) yourself to prevent repayments.