Minimum Temperature for Nurseries in the UK: What You Need to Know

The minimum temperature for a nursery in the UK is 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit). This guidance is laid out in the Health and Safety Executive’s document “Workplace health, safety and welfare Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992”. This is a guideline intended to provide a comfortable and safe environment for the employees and children in the care of the nursery. However, the specific temperature requirements may vary depending on the age of the children, the type of activities being undertaken, and the time of year.

What steps can I take if it’s too cold?

If you are a worker in a nursery and you are feeling too cold, there are several steps you can take to try to improve the situation. First, you should speak with your manager or supervisor and ask them to take steps to increase the temperature in the nursery. If your manager is not responsive to your concerns or if the situation does not improve, you can speak to your employer about the issue. If necessary, you may also want to contact your Local Authority for guidance on how to address the issue.

If you have complained about the temperature in your nursery workplace and nothing has changed, you should contact the Environmental Health Department at your Local Authority. They will be able to provide you with information on your rights as a worker and can help you to ensure that your workplace is safe and healthy. In some cases, they may also be able to conduct an inspection of your workplace to assess the situation and take action if necessary.

It is important to note that the Health and Safety Executive state that any issues in relation the a children’s nursery should be directed to your Local Authority and not themselves.

Can I get extra clothing or uniform?

If you are feeling cold in your nursery workplace, you may be able to request extra clothing from your employer. This might include a sweater or jacket to help keep you warm. However, your employer is not required to provide you with additional clothing if the temperature in your workplace is within the legal limits.

Children in Cold Environments

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature in a nursery should not be so cold that it affects the children's ability to engage in activities. If the children are feeling too cold, they may be less active and may not be able to engage in activities as effectively as they would if they were warmer. In order to maintain a comfortable and safe environment, it may be necessary to adjust the temperature in the nursery or to provide additional heating to ensure that the children are able to participate in activities without feeling too cold. It is also important to make sure that the children have access to warm clothing and blankets if needed.