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Weather and extreme heat

Child care providers are required to monitor weather conditions and dress children appropriately for outdoor playtime in the heat or cold.

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Extreme heat

The Heat Index is what the air actually feels like when "relative humidity" (moisture in the air) is combined with the outside air temperature. For example, if it's 90 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) outside with a humidity of 55%, it feels like it is 97°F.

Use the Heat Index instead of just the temperature outside to decide if outdoor play is safe or if activities need to be modified.

  • Check current temperatures

    • Look up your area's current temperature (°F) and humidity level (%).
    • Many cell phone weather applications include temperature and humidity information.
    • You can also find this information on the National Weather Service's heat index webpage by using their search feature in the upper left-hand corner.

  • Find the heat index

    Find the heat index (the number in green, yellow or red) in the chart below (Child Care Weather Watch Heat Index Chart), based on the temperature (°F) and relative humidity (%) in your area.

    Heat Index Chart

  • When to keep children indoors

    The national best practice standard, Caring for Our Children, recommends against taking children outside if the heat index is at or above 90°F due to health risks.

    • For temperatures in the yellow "caution" range, child care providers should consider modified activities and pay attention to children's cues (fatigue, activity level, comfort level) to ensure their safety.
    • For temperatures in the red "danger" range, children should not play outside due to health risks.

Keep children safe and comfortable during extreme heat

Young children are impacted by extreme heat differently than adults because their smaller bodies heat up more quickly, and they have less capacity to release heat via sweating. The suggestions below are things you can do to help keep children safe and comfortable during periods of extreme heat.

  • Offer shade, both outside and indoors. Staying out of direct sunlight and blocking the sun with window shades or coverings inside can dramatically reduce the temperature.
    • WAC 110-300-0145 requires early learning programs to have shaded areas in outdoor play spaces, provided by trees, buildings, or shade structures. 
    • Infants under 6 months must be kept out of direct sunlight, per WAC 110-300-0296.

To make a window shade that blocks the sun, watch a short video at right ➜

Turn off the lights

Lights generate heat. Only keep on the lights you really need, such as those to monitor sleeping children.

Use air conditioning

Use air conditioning to reduce the humidity and cool the indoor air temperature.

    • If there is no air conditioning available, placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan can circulate air cooled by the ice and significantly reduce the indoor air temperature in a short amount of time. Keep fans secure and out of reach of children to avoid safety hazards (such as pinched fingers, fans falling, etc.)

Keep children hydrated

    • Not all children will tell you they are thirsty, so make sure to offer water frequently throughout the day.
    • For infants, during extreme heat events:
      • Offer a few extra ounces of human milk or formula during the day to keep them hydrated.
      • Have families bring in extra human milk or prepared bottles of formula.
      • Water should not replace human milk or formula because it does not provide enough nutrition for infants.

Have families dress children to keep them as cool as possible

  • Thin clothing can help absorb sweat, which has a cooling effect.
  • Light-colored clothing can reflect the sun's rays and prevent heat absorption.
  • Wide-brimmed hats can block the sun on the face and neck.

Keep children cool

  • Use cloths soaked in cool water to wipe children's exposed skin. This can help heat evaporate from their bodies.
  • Incorporate safe water play activities. Have children use a water table (must be emptied and sanitized at least once per day) or mist water from a spray bottle to cool down.
    • Always supervise children during water activities. See WAC 110-300-3500 for specific supervision requirements.
    • As a reminder, per WAC 110-300-0175, 5-gallon buckets cannot be used by infants and toddlers for water play, and wading pools that do not have a filtering system are not permitted in the early learning program space.
  • Limit sun exposure between 11 am and 4 pm.
  • Plan for extra rest time during the day. Heat can make everyone feel tired and resting indoors can help bodies cool off.

Use sunscreen for children 6 months and older

As a reminder, per WAC 110-360-0165, a program's indoor learning space must be between 68 and 82°F. If the indoor licensed space is colder than 68°F or hotter than 82°F, an early learning provider must use climate control devices that are inaccessible to children to bring the temperature within the required range.

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