Sunshine and Storms: What Summer Now Means for Early Childhood Preparedness

by Janifar Kamal Novo

ICP 2025 Communications Intern

Summer means sunshine, water play, and popsicles for early childhood programs. But these days, it’s starting to mean something else, too: heatwaves that push outdoor temperatures to unsafe levels, storms that come with almost no warning, and power outages that knock out A/C when it’s needed most.

For child care providers, especially those caring for children under five, summer now brings a growing set of risks and a real need to rethink what “prepared” looks like. As the climate shifts, we’re seeing longer stretches of extreme heat, more intense hurricanes, and infrastructure that can’t always keep up. That’s a dangerous mix for children whose bodies aren’t built to handle heat stress and whose routines thrive on stability (CDC, 2022) https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/children.htm. Meanwhile, hurricane seasons are growing more intense and unpredictable, with 2023 tying for the fourth most active Atlantic hurricane season on record (NOAA, 2023) https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/2023-atlantic-hurricane-season-was-4th-most-active.  

The challenges early childhood programs face each summer are no longer isolated incidents; they’re part of a growing pattern. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2024), major U.S. cities are now experiencing an average of six heatwaves per year, triple the number recorded in the 1960s. These prolonged periods of high heat not only put children at increased risk for heat-related illnesses, but they also place significant strain on facilities, especially older buildings with inadequate cooling systems. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Keep-Your-Family-Safe-During-Extreme-Heat.aspx

At the same time, power systems are becoming more vulnerable. Over 80% of major power outages in the U.S. between 2000 and 2021 were caused by weather events, and the number of weather-related outages has climbed by nearly 78% in the last decade (Climate Central, 2023) https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/surging-weather-related-power-outages. For early childhood programs, a power outage isn't just an inconvenience, it can mean the loss of air conditioning, lighting, refrigeration, and communication tools at critical times. 

Storms also continue to have a disproportionate impact on early care infrastructure. For example, Hurricane Helene in 2024 destroyed the two largest child care centers in Burke County, North Carolina, displacing more than 250 children and dozens of staff members (NC Newsline, 2025) https://ncnewsline.com/2025/03/24/when-a-hurricane-washes-away-a-regions-child-care-syste. These numbers illustrate a broader truth: the triple threat of extreme heat, severe weather, and infrastructure failure is becoming a more prevalent part of summer, and it’s placing real pressure on systems that care for our youngest learners.

And the truth is, many early childhood programs haven’t been equipped with the tools or training to answer them. This article dives into the big three risks of summer heat, hurricanes, and infrastructure breakdowns and shares practical, realistic steps early childhood professionals can take to protect their children, staff, and communities. At the Institute for Childhood Preparedness, we don’t just talk about emergencies, we help programs plan for them. Through hands-on, trauma-informed trainings developed specifically for early childhood professionals, ICP equips educators and administrators with the tools they need to stay calm, clear-headed, and child-centered when emergencies happen.

Building Resilience: Strategies for Early Childhood Programs

Building real resilience means planning ahead and equipping staff with tools to respond confidently when emergencies strike.

1. Develop a Heat Action Plan That Works

Heatwaves are becoming longer and more dangerous, especially for children under five whose bodies aren’t as effective at regulating heat (AAP, 2022). Programs should:

• Monitor indoor temperatures daily, especially in poorly ventilated or older buildings.

• Schedule outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day and provide shaded play areas.

• Encourage hydration throughout the day, make it part of transitions and routines.

• Train staff and families to recognize early symptoms of heat-related illness, such as dizziness, irritability, and rapid breathing (AAP, 2022) https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Keep-Your-Family-Safe-During-Extreme-Heat.aspx.

  
  

2. Prepare for Severe Weather Before It Hits

Severe weather events like hurricanes and flash flooding—can disrupt daily operations with little warning. Preparedness begins with:

• Having an updated emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, shelter-in-place options, and a clear communication strategy.

• Practicing emergency drills with staff and children so everyone knows what to do when it matters most.

• Assigning a designated communication lead to coordinate with families and emergency responders (CCAoA, 2023) https://www.childcareaware.org/our-issues/crisis-and-disaster-resources.

  
  

3. Prepare for Power Outages and Infrastructure Strain

Extreme heat can put pressure on electrical grids, leading to power outages that cut off air conditioning, refrigeration, and lighting. Programs should:

• Invest in backup power solutions, such as portable generators or battery-operated fans.

• Keep emergency kits stocked with child-focused supplies: flashlights, batteries, water, snacks, blankets, diapers, walkie-talkies, a radio, and first-aid materials.

• Maintain printed contact lists for families and local emergency services (PEMA, 2022) https://www.pema.pa.gov/planningandpreparedness/Documents/Emergency-Preparedness-for-Child-Care-Toolkit.pdf.

  
  

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Climate effects on health: Children. https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/children.htm

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2023). 2023 Atlantic hurricane season was 4th most active. https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/2023-atlantic-hurricane-season-was-4th-most-active

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Extreme heat: Keeping kids safe when temperatures soar. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Keep-Your-Family-Safe-During-Extreme-Heat.aspx

Child Care Aware of America. (2023). Emergency preparedness resources. https://www.childcareaware.org/our-issues/crisis-and-disaster-resources

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. (2022). Child care emergency preparedness planning toolkit.

https://www.pema.pa.gov/planningandpreparedness/Documents/Emergency-Preparedness-for-Child-Care-Toolkit.pdf

Climate Central. (2023). Surging weather-related power outages. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/surging-weather-related-power-outages

Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Climate change indicators: Heat waves. https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heat-waves

NC Newsline. (2025, March 24). When a hurricane washes away a region’s child care system. https://ncnewsline.com/2025/03/24/when-a-hurricane-washes-away-a-regions-child-care-system

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2023). Hurricane Idalia. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/