Emergency Preparedness Plans for Child Care Programs - post

Why Do You Need a Plan?

Imagine it is a normal Tuesday. The children are eating a snack. Suddenly, the fire alarm goes off. Or maybe the lights go out because of a big storm. What do you do?

As a child care provider, you are the captain of the ship. Parents trust you to keep their children #safe, no matter what happens. This is a big responsibility. The best way to handle a crisis is to be ready before it happens. This is called " #emergency- #preparedness."

Having a plan does two things. First, it keeps everyone safe. Second, it stops panic. When you know exactly what to do, you can stay calm. And when you are calm, the children will be calm too. This article will guide you through building a strong plan for your #ChildCareCenter.

What Kind of Emergencies Should You Plan For?

Emergencies come in many shapes and sizes. You cannot just plan for fire. You need to think about everything that could happen in your area. 

Here are the three main types of emergencies: 

• Natural Disasters: These are things like hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or floods.
• Building Problems: This could be a fire, a gas leak, or a power outage.
• Human Threats: This might be a stranger near the #playground or a dangerous situation in the neighborhood.

Every program needs a plan that covers all these possibilities. To get a full list of what to prepare for, you should take our course Emergency and Disaster Preparedness. It covers everything from water loss to serious injuries.

What Are the Three Main Responses?

In an emergency, you will usually do one of three things: evacuate, shelter-in-place, or lockdown. You need to know the difference.

1. Evacuation 

This means leaving the building. You do this for a fire or a gas leak.

• Where do you go? You need a meeting spot. It might be a fence in the parking lot. You also need a second spot far away, like a library down the street, just in case the parking lot is not safe.
• How do you get there? If you have babies, you need heavy-duty cribs with wheels. For #toddlers, you might use a walking rope.

2. Shelter-in-Place

This means staying inside. You do this for bad #weather, like a tornado.

• Where do you go? Go to a room with no windows. This is usually a hallway or a bathroom.
• What do you need? You need supplies like water and flashlights because you might be there for a while.

3. Lockdown

This is for when there is a danger outside or inside the building.

• What do you do? Lock all the doors. Turn off the lights. Move away from the windows. Everyone must be very quiet.

What Goes in Your Emergency Kit?

If you have to leave quickly, you cannot run around looking for things. You need a "Go-Bag." This is a backpack that is packed and ready by the door.

What should be in your Go-Bag?

• First Aid Kit: Bandages, gloves, and antiseptic.
• Contact List: Phone numbers for every #parent and emergency services.
• Medical Supplies: If a child needs an EpiPen or #asthma inhaler, you must have it.
• Water and Snacks: Small bottles of water and crackers.
• Flashlight: And extra batteries.
• Comfort Items: A few small toys or #books to distract the children.

You should check this bag every few months. Make sure the food is not expired and the phone numbers are correct. This is a key part of #ChildSafety.

How Do You Practice?

Having a plan on paper is not enough. You have to practice it. Drills help children (and #teachers) build "muscle memory." This means your body knows what to do without thinking.

You should have a fire drill every month. You should practice sheltering for storms and lockdowns a few times a year.

Tips for Drills with Young Children:

• Don't Scare Them: Tell them, "We are practicing to be safe." Do not say, "There is a fire!"
• Make it a Game: For a quiet drill, play the "Sleeping Lions" game. See who can be the quietest lion.
• Timing: Use a stopwatch. See if you can get everyone out faster next time.

After every drill, talk to your team. What went well? What was hard? Maybe the back door was stuck. Fix these problems now, not during a real emergency.

How Will You Communicate?

In a crisis, parents will be worried. They will want to know if their child is okay. You need a plan for communication.

• Before: Tell parents about your emergency plan when they enroll. Let them know where your evacuation spot is.
• During: Focus on the children first. Once everyone is safe, send a message. You can use a group text, an email, or an app.
• After: Tell parents what happened and how you handled it.

Keep your contact information up to date. If a parent changes their phone number, you need to know immediately.

We have a helpful Emergency Telephone Number Form in our #free resources. You can print it and post it by every phone in your center.

• ChildCareEd Free Resources

What About After the Emergency?

Once the danger is over, the work is not done. Children might be scared. They might cry or act out. This is a normal reaction to #stress.

You need to help them feel safe again. 

• Stick to Routine: Go back to your normal schedule as soon as possible. Routine makes children feel secure.
• Talk About It: Let them ask questions. Answer simply. "Yes, the alarm was loud, but we are safe now."
• Watch for Signs: If a child is having nightmares or is very clingy weeks later, tell the parents. They might need extra help.

For more advice on keeping children #healthy and safe, read our article about injury prevention. It covers day-to-day safety tips that are very useful.

• Read More: Preventing Injuries in Child Care Classrooms

Are You Ready?

Emergency preparedness is not just a checklist. It is a mindset. It means you are always looking out for the children. It means you are ready to protect them, rain or shine.

Take some time this week to look at your plan. Is your Go-Bag ready? Do you know where the flashlight is? A little bit of work now can save lives later.

This is the most important work you do. Thank you for keeping our children safe.

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