During scorching days last summer, Lyndsay MacKay would often find her 16-month-old son at daycare in a diaper, with sticky skin and hair stuck to his head. Upon her arrival, he would be drained, sometimes even dozing off at the dinner table.
Despite the efforts of the caregivers to cool the children down by using ice cubes and popsicles, dimming the rooms, and applying cool cloths, MacKay, a Toronto mother and early childhood education professor at Humber Polytechnic, expressed concern. She noted that the children were still hot, sweaty, and exhausted, barely getting through the day.
MacKay is part of the increasing group of advocates in Canada pushing for a maximum indoor temperature in daycares, likely around 26 degrees Celsius, similar to the standards set for long-term care facilities in Ontario.
Like seniors, infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke due to their higher metabolism, less efficient sweat glands, and inability to communicate when they are overheated.
Dr. Kirstin Weerdenburg, a pediatrician at Halifax’s IWK Health Centre, highlighted that young children may exhibit signs of heat illness like fatigue, flushed skin, irritability, and difficulty walking. It is crucial for caregivers to monitor children’s behavior on hot days as heat-related issues can escalate rapidly.
Educators like Amy O’Neil, executive director of Toronto’s Treetop Children’s Centre, emphasized the importance of maintaining safe temperatures in daycares for the well-being and safety of children. O’Neil installed air conditioning at her center in 2019, underscoring that it is not just a matter of comfort but a critical safety concern.
Despite calls for action and concerns raised by advocates, there has been little progress in implementing regulations on maximum indoor temperatures in daycares across Canada. While some provinces have vague regulations regarding daycare environments, specific temperature limits are often lacking.
Advocacy groups like the Canadian Environmental Law Association have been advocating for legislation on maximum indoor temperatures and funding for retrofitting to ensure the safety of children in daycare settings, especially as summers are projected to become hotter.
The increasing prevalence of wildfires, extreme temperatures, and poor air quality has further exacerbated the challenges faced by daycare operators in providing a safe and comfortable environment for children. Kate Lawes, a daycare manager in Victoria, highlighted the need for caution and proactive measures to protect children from heat-related illnesses and environmental hazards.
As concerns over heat-related illnesses and extreme temperatures persist, stakeholders continue to push for regulatory changes and investments in infrastructure to safeguard the well-being of children in daycare settings.