Extreme heat is no longer an occasional challenge for early childhood education and care services — it is a predictable and increasing risk that directly impacts children’s health, wellbeing, emotional regulation, sleep, and capacity to learn. For educators, extreme heat also affects physical wellbeing, decision-making, and the ability to provide responsive, high-quality care.
High-quality services recognise that managing heat is not simply about comfort. It is a child safety obligation, a workplace health responsibility, and a clear indicator of responsive, intentional practice under the National Quality Framework.
Services demonstrating Exceeding practice moved beyond reactive responses to hot days. Instead, they embedded heat-responsive planning, flexible pedagogy, strong communication and continuous improvement into everyday operations — ensuring children remained safe, regulated and supported, even when temperatures soared.
