Criterion HS118#

# Maintain a comfortable temperature in rooms used by children (no lower than 18°C at 500mm above the floor), allowing for fluctuating temperatures for brief periods. If applicable, any thermometers fixed on walls are positioned out of children's reach and no higher than 1500mm above the floor.

Guidance #

How to show you are complying #

You must maintain a comfortable temperature in rooms used by children, (excluding hallways). You need to make sure that the temperature is a comfortable temperature and is at least 18°C at 500mm above the floor. This is important as young children participate in floor-based activities.

Sometimes the temperature might briefly fluctuate below 18°C. Minor temperature reductions for brief periods are accepted but you will need to take action to bring the temperature back up to at least 18°C.

Managing comfortable temperature

If there are signs that room temperature is not comfortable for children, you will need to measure the temperature of these rooms and take appropriate action. 

New Zealand is increasingly exposed to warmer temperatures, which can affect the comfort and wellbeing of children in your service. Children are more susceptible to heat extremes than adults, so it is important to monitor and manage indoor temperatures throughout the year. During summer or periods of high heat, there may be a need to cool rooms to maintain an appropriate and safe temperature. 

Look for common signs that the temperature is not comfortable for children.

Physical symptoms children are too cold: 

• children have cold, red or pale skin, particularly on their hands, feet and face
• any child is shivering or have trouble breathing
• multiple children have a noticeably reduced appetite
• multiple children need warm clothes to stay warm
• children are unusually tired, sleepy or inactive.

Physical symptoms children are too hot:

• flushed skin
• cool, clammy skin despite the heat
• increased sweating
• children are unusually tired, sleepy or inactive
• increased thirst
• heat rash (small red bumps, often on neck, chest, or folds of skin).

Behavioural changes that signal children are too hot or cold:

• children are unsettled, irritable, or fussy
• irritability
• children that typically sleep in the service have trouble resting and sleeping
• multiple children cannot focus or learn effectively
• multiple children find it difficult to regulate effectively.

When checking the temperature, you must check it at 500mm above the floor to make sure it is comfortable at children’s level. One way to check this is by using a portable thermometer.

There is no requirement to regularly measure or record the room temperature. 

If you choose to install a thermometer fixed to the wall, this needs to be out of children’s reach at least 1500mm above the floor. You will still need to make sure the temperature is at least 18°C at 500mm above floor level. 

If you have a thermometer fixed to walls at 1500mm or above and readings frequently dip below 18°C, this could indicate that temperatures at 500mm is lower. Because heat rises, take a measurement at 500mm to check the temperature to help you identify if you need to increase heating in the room. 

Thermometer apps on phones or tablets are not recommended as the reliability of different apps is not able to be verified. Phones or tablets are not devices built specifically to reliably measure room temperature. Accuracy of any purported temperature readings may be affected by the temperature of the device.

Selecting Heating Systems

When selecting heating systems for ECE centres, it is important to prioritise options that do not produce or contribute to indoor air pollution. Recommended systems include:

• flued gas heaters or central heating systems that vent pollutants outside
• electric heaters
• reverse-cycle air conditioning units.

Unflued gas heaters should not be used in ECE centres. These heaters emit significant amounts of polluting gases and water vapour, which can lead to:

• rapid moisture build-up in rooms, increasing the risk of mould growth and dust mite infestations
• adverse health impacts for children, including respiratory issues
• danger of asphyxiation in inadequately ventilated spaces
• exposure to harmful nitrogen oxides.

Using safe heating systems helps maintain healthy indoor air quality and supports children’s wellbeing.