The severe storm, which has created gusts of wind of up to 122mph, began to hit the UK this morning (Friday 18 February), grounding flights, forcing hundreds of school and nursery closures and leaving some homes without power.
Two red warnings - meaning there is a ‘danger to life’ - were put in place by the Met Office for parts of south-west England and South Wales, as well as the East of England, including London. Amber and yellow warnings are in place for the rest of the country.
The storm has led to many settings closing their doors in order to keep staff and children safe.
Paint Pots nursery group in Southampton, which was recently taken over by social enterprise Launchpad, has closed all its settings today as a precaution and as directed by the local authority.
Claire Bowen, manager of The Grove Playgroup in Dorchester, told Nursery World, ‘We risk assessed and decided no outdoor play, but then all schools closed and we decided for everyone’s safety to close.’
The manager of The Parade Community Pre-school in Hilsea similarly said they were planning on opening, but as the setting is on a school site, and the school closed, they were also forced to.
Meanwhile, Haringey Council took the decision to shut all of its children's centres due to the extreme weather conditions.
Settings that have remained open are keeping children indoors with any outings cancelled.
- How has Storm Eunice affected your early years setting? Email news.nw@markallengroup.com
