To be reviewed March 2010
Extreme Weather Policy and Procedure
Under the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework’s welfare requirement ‘Suitable premises, environment
and equipment’ it states that ‘whenever possible, there should be access to an outdoor play area, and this is
the expected norm for providers. In provision where outdoor play space cannot be provided, outings should be
planned and taken on a daily basis (unless circumstances make this inappropriate, for example unsafe weather
conditions’)
I provide outdoor play space and take the children on regular outings to:
Stay and Play at Dingle Lane
Bookstart Storytime at Allerton Library
Boogie Babes at Dingle Lane
Stay and Play at United Reformed Church
Childminding Drop in (Arts, Craft, Sensory Room, Soft Play, Story and Songs)
Messy Play
Walks
Visits to local parks
Visits to local play areas
In order to ensure the safety and well being of the children I request that parents supply me with clothing for
their children that is suitable for the time of the year and the weather we may be experiencing.
In extreme weather conditions I will risk assess the situation and discuss concerns with parents before taking
children out. Sometimes it may be necessary, for example to collect other minded children from school.
If there is heavy snow then I will discuss with parents about taking the children out in it to play. There are many
learning opportunities from playing in the snow, from construction (building a snowman or igloo), science (snow
and ice melting in changing temperatures) to physical exercise. The children will need to be correctly clothed
for the snow, boots, coat, scarf, gloves etc. They will be closely supervised at all times and we will come back
indoors if any of the children are unhappy or feeling cold.
Below are some of the steps I will take in extreme weather to ensure the safety of you and your child. I would
appreciate you working closely with me to ensure that these steps can be carried out.
1. In the event of a school closure, if it is safe to do so, I will be able to pick your child up. Please ensure
that school have my contact details.
2. My path might be slippy, which would cause users to fall. I will do everything in my power to keep it
safe for use by salting it in the morning. However, I cannot go outside to salt it if I am also looking after
children, so it might get slippy through the day. I recommend parents wear suitable footwear and take
extra care.
3. If you are delayed picking your child up due to the weather, please keep me informed. I will keep your
child occupied and safe until you arrive.
4. If I feel a child might be endangered by going out in the car, we will not go; if I feel a child might be
endangered by going out on foot, we will not go. If this means a child missing school, I will make every
effort to contact the school and the child’s parents for advice.
5. If we are on a walking outing and the weather conditions deteriorate, I will make every effort to get
home safely. If this seems impossible, I will take the children with me to a friend’s house and make
every effort to contact parents from there to reassure them we are safe.
6. If we are on a car outing and the weather conditions deteriorate, I will stop when it is safe to do so and
take advice from the emergency services. I will not leave children alone and I will protect them as
much as possible from the effects of the weather by carrying blankets, coats, drinks, snacks etc in the
car.
7. If children do not arrive in suitable clothes for outdoor play or travel, we will have to stay inside. This is
in direct contravention of the EYFS, which states that I must allow children free access to the outside
area every day. Please pack gloves, scarves, hats, wellingtons, waterproof coats and spare clothes.
8. If my heating goes off during inclement weather conditions, I will make every effort to contact you to
come urgently to collect your children if the indoor temperature drops below a safe level. If you cannot
be contacted I will follow my emergency procedure. I will make sure children are kept safe.
9. I will do all I can to protect your child in hot weather. Please refer to my ‘Hot Weather and Sun Cream’
Policy for details of steps I will take.
If you have any concerns regarding this policy then please do not hesitate to contact me.