ChildCareEd Inclement Weather & Emergency Closing Policy - post

Inclement Weather & Emergency Closing Policy

Location: Gaithersburg Office Only

This policy applies specifically to instructor-led, in-person trainings held at our Gaithersburg, Maryland location. To ensure the safety of our students and staff, ChildCareEd follows the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) inclement weather and emergency closing schedule.

To help programs prepare staff for closures, delays, and emergency response, we recommend ChildCareEd’s Pediatric In-Person First Aid & CPR/AED (Infant, Child, Adult) Buy Now $95.00$90.00 and Basic Health & Safety and Breastfeeding Awareness Buy Now $35.00$30.00 courses as part of staff orientation and continuing training.

How does ChildCareEd decide whether to close or delay in-person training?

ChildCareEd bases closure and delay decisions on a careful, safety-first evaluation of weather forecasts, road and transit conditions, county emergency declarations, and guidance from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The same criteria guide instructors, site staff, and administrative staff when assessing whether an individual session should proceed.

• Evaluation: We review official county and state alerts, road-closure reports, transit advisories, and local emergency declarations. When conditions are uncertain, our priority is the safety of students and staff rather than completing a scheduled session.
• Timing: For weekday classes, decisions are typically made by 5:30 a.m. to allow time for notices and participant communications. For weekend classes, ChildCareEd follows decisions made by the Montgomery County Interagency Coordinating Board (ICB) regarding community use of public facilities.
• Snow Emergency Plan: On non-public school days, if the Maryland State Police declares a Snow Emergency Plan in effect for Montgomery County, we cancel in-person training at the affected sites.

If a session is canceled, participants are notified by email and phone when possible and given rescheduling options or refunds per our registration policy. Instructors will post any changed materials or assignments for blended or online follow-up when feasible. For programs preparing staff and to align training with licensing expectations in Maryland, ChildCareEd offers relevant safety courses such as Pediatric Blended First Aid & CPR/AED Buy Now $85.00$80.00, which many Maryland providers use to meet basic emergency-response training expectations noted on our course pages.

How should programs prepare staff, families, and facilities for inclement weather and emergency closures?

Programs should treat scheduled in-person trainings as part of their broader emergency-preparedness system. The checklist below prioritizes safety, licensing alignment, and clear communications so staff can act consistently when a class or program is delayed or canceled.

1. Confirm roles and authority: Designate who decides to cancel or delay an on-site session (program director, facility manager, or designee). Document whether decisions follow MCPS, county emergency declarations, or a program-level risk assessment. Clarify how substitute instructors, site staff, and administrative staff will be notified.
2. Maintain a concise communications plan: Create templated email, SMS, and phone scripts for cancellations, delays, and evacuation instructions. Include alternate session dates, refund/rescheduling options, and directions for blended/online follow-up. Test the notification workflow quarterly to ensure phone, email, and text reach intended recipients.
3. Train staff in basic emergency response: Ensure instructors and on-site staff complete first aid and health-and-safety trainings referenced on our course pages. These practical skills reduce risk during unexpected campus closures and support safe sheltering or evacuation decisions.
4. Align written policies with licensing expectations: Keep a current, written inclement-weather addendum in your program’s emergency plan and make it available to staff and licensing reviewers. When the article references Maryland requirements, confirm specifics with your MSDE licensing consultant before assuming a training or procedural change meets regulatory expectations. Contact the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Office of Child Care, or your MSDE licensing consultant for the state's exact licensing rules.
5. Prepare the physical environment: Stock alternate indoor activities and weather-appropriate supplies so children and staff are safe during prolonged sheltering. Consult our guidance on cold-weather safety and indoor programming to reduce risk and maintain child engagement.
6. Coordinate community facility use: If you rent school or municipal space, confirm the local Interagency Coordinating Board (ICB) rules for weekend and non-school-day facility access and document the contact process for closures or restricted access.
7. Debrief and update plans after incidents: After any closure or evacuation, conduct a short debrief to identify communication gaps, equipment shortfalls, or training needs. Update your plan, retrain staff, and log changes in your emergency binder.

For practical materials and program-planning advice, consult these ChildCareEd articles:

• How Can Child Care Programs Keep Young Children Safe in Cold Weather?
• Daycare Storm Safety: When to Shelter, Close, or Evacuate
• Indoor and Outdoor Activities for School-Age Programs
• Maryland Home Daycare Checklist: How to Start a Daycare at Home
• Best Daycare Field Trip Ideas in Maryland
• How Can Child Care Programs Build Effective Outdoor Classrooms and Nature-Based Childcare?

These links give program-level, actionable guidance on weather-specific planning (cold, storms), activity adaptation for closures, and Maryland-specific facility checklists that complement this policy.

How can I get MCPS emergency alerts?

Since ChildCareEd follows MCPS, please use the following official resources to stay informed about closures or delays:

• Official Website: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org (Alerts are posted on the homepage in multiple languages).
• Alert MCPS: Sign up to receive text messages or emails regarding school operations.
• Sign up for Alert MCPS here.
• Social Media: Follow MCPS on X (formerly Twitter)@MCPS or Instagram @mcps_md.
• MCPS Newsfeed: Subscribe to the MCPS Newsfeed for real-time computer alerts.
• Telephone Information: * Recorded Message: 301-279-3673
• Ask MCPS (Live Staff): 301-309-6277 (8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mon–Fri)
• TV & Radio: * MCPS Cable: Comcast Channel 34, Verizon FIOS Channel 36, RCN Channel 89.
• Local News: Tune in to major DC-area news stations (NBC4, FOX5, ABC7, WUSA9).

Contact Us

If you are unsure if your specific class has been canceled or if you have questions regarding rescheduling, please contact our support team:

• Email: info@childcareed.com
• Phone: 1-833-283-2241 (2TEACH1)
• Phone: 1-833-283-2241 (2TEACH1)

Website: www.childcareed.com

What are the key takeaways about ChildCareEd's inclement weather and emergency-closing policy?

Key points: ChildCareEd follows Montgomery County Public Schools' closure schedule for Gaithersburg in-person training and follows county and state emergency declarations when making decisions. We prioritize safety and communicate cancellations by email/phone; we provide rescheduling options. Programs should prepare with written protocols, staff training, and family communications. For staff preparedness we recommend completing our First Aid, CPR, and Basic Health & Safety trainings to align with Maryland expectations and to ensure a safe response when classes are delayed or canceled. Confirm specific licensing questions with your MSDE licensing consultant.

Helpful internal resources: Pediatric In-Person First Aid & CPR/AED Buy Now $95.00$90.00, Basic Health & Safety Buy Now $35.00$30.00, and our blended Pediatric First Aid & CPR Blended Course Buy Now $85.00$80.00. For program planning see the linked articles above on cold-weather safety, storm safety, indoor activities, asthma/air-quality protections, Maryland home-daycare setup, and field-trip planning.

What should programs do next?

Summary: Prioritize staff and participant safety—follow MCPS and county emergency notices for Gaithersburg in-person sessions, keep a written inclement-weather addendum aligned with Maryland licensing, maintain clear communication templates for cancellations or delays, and ensure staff complete first-aid and health-and-safety training recommended above. Confirm specific licensing requirements with your MSDE licensing consultant before assuming a particular training satisfies state rules. For internal policy reference and additional guidance see: ChildCareEd Inclement Weather & Emergency Closing Policy and Inclement Weather Policy.

Stay safe and check the official county and MCPS channels before traveling to in-person sessions: official MCPS site, Alert MCPS, MCPS Newsfeed, and county emergency pages. For regulatory questions about Maryland licensing and required trainings, consult your MSDE licensing representative or refer to the Maryland resources noted on our course pages.

#safety #inclement #weather #CPR #Maryland