No one wants a young child to get sick or burnt because the water temperature is not checked and regulated.
Tap water temperature
At centres, the temperature of water delivered from any taps that children can access independently must be no higher than 40°C, and comfortable for children to use.
Hot water cylinder
At centres, water stored in any hot water cylinder must be kept at a temperature of at least 60°C to prevent legionella bacteria developing.
Home-based requirements
The Ministry of Education is not known to apply the above requirements to home-based services. However, parents with children attending a licensed home-based service should be able to expect the same water temperature practices to help ensure children’s safety.
Failing to meet water temperature and other minimum standards
The Ministry of Education needs to know:
- If you are concerned children’s needs are not being met.
- If you are concerned a service is not meeting a minimum legal requirement.
READ MORE: How to make a complaint and your options.
CAUTION: This page and the information here is provided as part of the My ECE Guide to Regulations and Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education Services (The Guide). The Guide does not purport to be a full and accurate interpretation of all statutory provisions relating to early childhood education services. While best efforts have been used in preparing this guide, no representations or warranties of any kind are made and My ECE assumes no liabilities of any kind with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the content. Please note that the Government and Ministry of Education may change, update, or alter any of the requirements at any time. Please help to keep the information on this page up to date by letting us know of changes that need to be made.
Thank you! Kia pai te rā
Reference:
Water Temperature. Published in the My ECE Guide to Regulations and Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education Services, prepared by Dr Sarah Alexander and Warwick Marshall.
Last reviewed: 20 November 2022
