It's HOT! When to Send Kids Home?

[Nisaryn]

Howdy ya'll, alrighty so I live in South Cali. and we just hit our years heat wave (it 104 on Sat!) and being from TN I'm just NOT used to this kind of heat so I can't really judge when it's too hot to send kids home.

The only reason I'm wondering is because my A/C is acting wacky....it's been getting up to 85 in here by the end of the day. It stays around 77 to 80 during daycare hours. We are hot, sweating, and miserable. My DCPs know that my A/C has been crazy and I've been doing my best to keep it cool (no lights, fans throughout the house, water spritzer, opening windows before 11am etc.). But at what point should I consider sending the kiddies home? It is only 9am here an it's already 79 inside!!!!

[littletots]

Our guidelines are 64°-85°. Popsicle time!

[Crystal]

I would not send them home for this. You'll likely have some very upset parents if you do. Keep them hydrated and as colo as possible.
The only way I would send home due to a lack of A/C is if the power goes out and it is impossible to cool the home.
Otherwise, I would have the A/C serviced right away so you are able to provide the appropriate temps, which would be considered a requirement under CCLD

[Annalee]

Howdy ya'll, alrighty so I live in South Cali. and we just hit our years heat wave (it 104 on Sat!) and being from TN I'm just NOT used to this kind of heat so I can't really judge when it's too hot to send kids home.

The only reason I'm wondering is because my A/C is acting wacky....it's been getting up to 85 in here by the end of the day. It stays around 77 to 80 during daycare hours. We are hot, sweating, and miserable. My DCPs know that my A/C has been crazy and I've been doing my best to keep it cool (no lights, fans throughout the house, water spritzer, opening windows before 11am etc.). But at what point should I consider sending the kiddies home? It is only 9am here an it's already 79 inside!!!!

i am in TN and we have had some hot heat indexes as well this year, but finally starting to feel like football weather the past few days....it is still warm but you can feel the crisp change in the air!

[daycare]

why would they need to go home?

you just need to abide by the heat index

I live in no cal and it was 116 here yesterday and expected to be even hotter today.

we will not play outside after 10am and will only need to send home if we should have a rolling black out that causes us to loose power. If we lose power for more than 1 hour and can not provide a temp lower than 85, then we will send home. I have never had this happen, but would be the only reason.

otherwise, it is my responsibility to keep the kids cool by providing lots of fluids, shade and cool place to play that is below 80 degrees.

[Laurel]

I would not send them home for this. You'll likely have some very upset parents if you do. Keep them hydrated and as colo as possible.
The only way I would send home due to a lack of A/C is if the power goes out and it is impossible to cool the home.
Otherwise, I would have the A/C serviced right away so you are able to provide the appropriate temps, which would be considered a requirement under CCLD

Laurel

[daycarediva]

In NY, it's 88 right now and humid. Water play, fans, lots of water to drink, we had popsicles, did ice painting. None of the kids have even complained of the heat.

[LysesKids]

i am in TN and we have had some hot heat indexes as well this year, but finally starting to feel like football weather the past few days....it is still warm but you can feel the crisp change in the air!

Yep, up here we are pulling out the Orange gear ( shirts etc) ... first game for the Vols is in KY on my birthday... the next 2 weekends after are home games. Time to make extra $$ by doing game day drop-in specials

[Nisaryn]

Thanks yall! I just wasn't sure since I know the schools have closed down a few days before due to the weather. I wasn't sure if I should go by the school day rules or just stick with what I know.

We filled a kiddie pool with about an inch of water and thankfully have a shaded patio we've stuck it out on. Were going to go outside and play in that.

My main problem is that I only have one kiddie old enough to play in it, all my other kids are 6 months and under which is why I worry about the heat so much.

Gosh I miss Tennessee Annalee!

[Thriftylady]

I wouldn't send home either. It doesn't get to 100 here often, but does get in the 90's with high humidity. the only time I ever turn on my central air is when the humidity gets really bad. Get a couple of fans, they work wonders!

[BabyMonkeys]

I would let the parents know and let them make the decision. Things are a little different with preschoolers or infants. I would be ok with my preschooler being hot and playing in water, or keeping cool with popsicles, etc. I would probably pick my infant up if it were much hotter than 80 - 85 max. I'm super sensitive to the heat though.

[Ariana]

I am in Southern Canada and the temps are insane. The only difference is we have basements in Canada that stay nice and cool during the heat waves!

I agree with the others though, just do what you gotta do to get the AC fixed and keep the kids cool and hydrated as best as possible. Kids love eating ice chips!

[Willow]

[QUOTE=Nisaryn;551278]all my other kids are 6 months and under which is why I worry about the heat so much.

QUOTE]

How many under that age do you have?


If you can't have the AC serviced today I'd definitely have at least notified parents if your licensing regs don't require additional action. As a parent I'd be very concerned about dehydration since infants really struggle to maintain a reasonable body temp as it is.

[CraftyMom]

While the infants can't play in the pool, you could always hold them in the cool water for a few minutes, one baby at a time.

[hottie8962]

For little one buy baby mesh feeder and freeze with fruit or baby food.its like a baby popsicle