Parents in Greater Manchester have voiced frustration after several nurseries closed early or shut specific rooms due to the heatwave, forcing families to scramble for last-minute childcare. Brighter Beginnings, which operates multiple sites across the region, told parents most of its nurseries would close at noon on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, except for its air-conditioned Chadderton location. The Heatons Preschool and Day Nursery in Stockport closed two rooms from 1pm on Thursday and Friday.
Parents Struggle with Short Notice
One parent, whose child attends a Brighter Beginnings nursery, told the Manchester Evening News: "It's been a nightmare having the nursery closed for half days, we've had to find childcare at short notice, which has been difficult and required time off work." The parent added that they only learned about Friday's closure on Thursday afternoon at 2:30pm, leaving little time to arrange alternatives. "I've seen other nurseries still open, so I'm not sure why some have managed to keep the kids cool but others can't," they said.
A father with a child at The Heatons Preschool and Day Nursery described the situation as "really frustrating when you’re paying an enormous amount for childcare and they don’t provide the service you pay for." He noted that he has no nearby family to help and must work, adding: "I don’t understand why they haven’t installed air conditioning in all the rooms, this isn’t a surprise event and will become increasingly common in the future." He also mentioned that friends with children at other nurseries face similar issues, including one nursery closing early despite having air conditioning in every room.
Nurseries Prioritize Safety Amid Heat
In a letter to parents, The Heatons nursery explained: "This decision was not made lightly. While we have implemented and continue to follow all current guidance issued by the Department for Education, the National Day Nurseries Association, the government and the NHS, we remain concerned about the impact of the extreme temperatures on the comfort, safety and wellbeing of the children in our care." The nursery emphasized that the health and welfare of children is their highest priority and that early closure was deemed the most appropriate action.
Brighter Beginnings directors echoed this sentiment, stating in a message to parents: "Although we have implemented a range of measures to keep children cool and comfortable, the prolonged high temperatures continue to make it increasingly difficult to maintain a safe environment throughout the afternoon. By closing before the hottest part of the day, we are able to significantly reduce the risks associated with extreme heat and ensure we continue to prioritise the health, safety and wellbeing of the children in our care."
Mixed Reactions from Parents
On the Manchester Evening News Facebook page, parents shared varied opinions. One mum said: "My daughter's school finished at 1.15pm and will be tomorrow. To me it makes no sense to have them all walking home at one of the hottest points of the day." Another commented: "Schools shouldn't close people still have to go to work," while a third added: "But if you take kids out of school for holidays you get fined." However, some supported the closures, with one parent noting: "You have the heat from the weather, plus additional heat from all the people in the classroom, which increases the temp as well. As they should, I don't know how anyone is concentrating right now." Another said: "The same people moaning would be the same people moaning if their kids passed out from heat exhaustion and weren’t allowed home."
Government and Union Responses
The Department for Education stated on its website that it does not normally advise schools to close during hot weather. However, the National Education Union (NEU) has demanded government action, with general secretary Daniel Kebede writing to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to request a timetable for installing air conditioning in all schools. Kebede noted that at the current pace, the government's pledge to make schools fit for purpose would not be completed until the year 2246.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Cobra meetings are taking place at the official level to coordinate the response across the UK. Speaking in Milton Keynes, he said: "It is very hot and obviously schools will have to take the appropriate measures, and each school will gauge for themselves the measures that are appropriate. But it is important that we as a government co-ordinate this across the country." Phillipson added that schools are relaxing uniform rules, keeping classrooms cool, ensuring hydration, teaching water safety, and avoiding vigorous activity on the hottest days.
