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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Policies for Natural Disasters/Man Made Events
Country Kids 09:11 AM 03-05-2018
In our policy and procedures we now have to have a section for Natural Disasters/Man Made Events.
We have to show what we will do and also, how we will maintain and continue on childcare operations.
I'm an over thinker so I can't really simplify this in my mind no matter how hard I try. I can have the best laid plan written out but until anything happens, you don't know how you will handle it.
We have had no training on anything like this and like I said, I over think so I'm totally lost on this. I'm more worried about the after part and if parents can't get here what do I do, if children are hurt, I'm hurt, etc. There is so many variables that I think just having a five point procedure is not a reality.
Does anyone have this in their policy and procedure handbooks.
We have to show what we will do and also, how we will maintain and continue on childcare operations.
I'm an over thinker so I can't really simplify this in my mind no matter how hard I try. I can have the best laid plan written out but until anything happens, you don't know how you will handle it.
We have had no training on anything like this and like I said, I over think so I'm totally lost on this. I'm more worried about the after part and if parents can't get here what do I do, if children are hurt, I'm hurt, etc. There is so many variables that I think just having a five point procedure is not a reality.
Does anyone have this in their policy and procedure handbooks.
Cat Herder 09:34 AM 03-05-2018
Everything you need to know can be found here:https://www.fema.gov/media-library/a...documents/7877
Country Kids 09:48 AM 03-05-2018
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
Everything you need to know can be found here:https://www.fema.gov/media-library/a...documents/7877
Thank you! I did find some just for childcares and printing it out so I can really look it over. Everything you need to know can be found here:https://www.fema.gov/media-library/a...documents/7877
They do suggest things that I'm not able to do though but good points to think about.
storybookending 09:40 AM 03-05-2018
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
In our policy and procedures we now have to have a section for Natural Disasters/Man Made Events.
We have to show what we will do and also, how we will maintain and continue on childcare operations.
I'm an over thinker so I can't really simplify this in my mind no matter how hard I try. I can have the best laid plan written out but until anything happens, you don't know how you will handle it.
We have had no training on anything like this and like I said, I over think so I'm totally lost on this. I'm more worried about the after part and if parents can't get here what do I do, if children are hurt, I'm hurt, etc. There is so many variables that I think just having a five point procedure is not a reality.
Does anyone have this in their policy and procedure handbooks.
We just have to have evacuation plans posted by all exits and emergency numbers posted. At the center we had first aid kits that went everywhere with us and they also held a copy of each child’s emergency contact numbers so we always had it on the go, on field trips etc. In our policy and procedures we now have to have a section for Natural Disasters/Man Made Events.
We have to show what we will do and also, how we will maintain and continue on childcare operations.
I'm an over thinker so I can't really simplify this in my mind no matter how hard I try. I can have the best laid plan written out but until anything happens, you don't know how you will handle it.
We have had no training on anything like this and like I said, I over think so I'm totally lost on this. I'm more worried about the after part and if parents can't get here what do I do, if children are hurt, I'm hurt, etc. There is so many variables that I think just having a five point procedure is not a reality.
Does anyone have this in their policy and procedure handbooks.
In my state we have to practice monthly fire drills and tornado drills in the warmer months as well. As far as having a disaster plan if you are required I would just not over think it and write it out. You can have the best laid out policy in the world on paper but nothing is going to fully prepare you for how you will react when disaster strikes.
Country Kids 09:55 AM 03-05-2018
Originally Posted by storybookending:
We just have to have evacuation plans posted by all exits and emergency numbers posted. At the center we had first aid kits that went everywhere with us and they also held a copy of each child’s emergency contact numbers so we always had it on the go, on field trips etc.
In my state we have to practice monthly fire drills and tornado drills in the warmer months as well. As far as having a disaster plan if you are required I would just not over think it and write it out. You can have the best laid out policy in the world on paper but nothing is going to fully prepare you for how you will react when disaster strikes.
I do have everything for my kiddo's on my phone for contacts. My worry is what if communication is down and we can't reach the parents? Our town has the interstate running right through it, and each way to my house from where my parents work, involves crossing a bridge which may not be there in the even of a disaster. We just have to have evacuation plans posted by all exits and emergency numbers posted. At the center we had first aid kits that went everywhere with us and they also held a copy of each child’s emergency contact numbers so we always had it on the go, on field trips etc.
In my state we have to practice monthly fire drills and tornado drills in the warmer months as well. As far as having a disaster plan if you are required I would just not over think it and write it out. You can have the best laid out policy in the world on paper but nothing is going to fully prepare you for how you will react when disaster strikes.
Yes, I just need to put it down on paper, have the parents look it over and be good with it.
Cat Herder 09:59 AM 03-05-2018
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
I do have everything for my kiddo's on my phone for contacts. My worry is what if communication is down and we can't reach the parents? Our town has the interstate running right through it, and each way to my house from where my parents work, involves crossing a bridge which may not be there in the even of a disaster.
Yes, I just need to put it down on paper, have the parents look it over and be good with it.
"In case of evacuation and cell phone blackout our primary meetup place will be _______. Secondary location is ______." I do have everything for my kiddo's on my phone for contacts. My worry is what if communication is down and we can't reach the parents? Our town has the interstate running right through it, and each way to my house from where my parents work, involves crossing a bridge which may not be there in the even of a disaster.
Yes, I just need to put it down on paper, have the parents look it over and be good with it.
Mine is a local volunteer fire dept (with permission) then a library in the county over. I have a mini-van that will seat all the kids for evacuation, emergency transport, only. Get the kids there and shelter in place until all are picked up.
Country Kids 10:48 AM 03-05-2018
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
"In case of evacuation and cell phone blackout our primary meetup place will be _______. Secondary location is ______."
Mine is a local volunteer fire dept (with permission) then a library in the county over. Get the kids there and shelter in place until all are picked up.
I'm thinking of just keeping it to my house/yard. I'm not sure if I would be able to get everyone in my car, what the streets are like, etc. I don't know if I want to tell the parents a place and then possibly not be able to get there. "In case of evacuation and cell phone blackout our primary meetup place will be _______. Secondary location is ______."
Mine is a local volunteer fire dept (with permission) then a library in the county over. Get the kids there and shelter in place until all are picked up.
Do you have emergency packs for all the kiddo's? That was one of the suggestions and I'm like, I have no where to store that many?
So many variables and that is why I over think it.
Cat Herder 11:07 AM 03-05-2018
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
I'm thinking of just keeping it to my house/yard. I'm not sure if I would be able to get everyone in my car, what the streets are like, etc. I don't know if I want to tell the parents a place and then possibly not be able to get there.
Do you have emergency packs for all the kiddo's? That was one of the suggestions and I'm like, I have no where to store that many?
So many variables and that is why I over think it.
If your neighborhood is evacuated you will have no choice but to leave. I'm thinking of just keeping it to my house/yard. I'm not sure if I would be able to get everyone in my car, what the streets are like, etc. I don't know if I want to tell the parents a place and then possibly not be able to get there.
Do you have emergency packs for all the kiddo's? That was one of the suggestions and I'm like, I have no where to store that many?
So many variables and that is why I over think it.
They will "assist" you in leaving. 
Having a meetup place makes it quicker to get the kids where they need to go and make you available to your own family. Having an alternate is well advised as with flooding/tornados you may need to evacuate out further.
Emergency packs are really easy to make, keep it simple.
A few packs of ready to feed formula/bottles, jar of peanut butter (or sunflower/soy nut butter for nut allergy)/jelly, box of ritz crackers, container of raisins/craisins/dried roasted peas or green beans, small paper plates/napkins, sippy cups, bottled water, diapers/wipes/changing pad, clorox wipes/alcohol gel for hands, blankets, books, crayons, paper and legos.Obviously if a kid has a special need they would need a substitution or a few extras.
storybookending 10:07 AM 03-05-2018
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
I do have everything for my kiddo's on my phone for contacts. My worry is what if communication is down and we can't reach the parents? Our town has the interstate running right through it, and each way to my house from where my parents work, involves crossing a bridge which may not be there in the even of a disaster.
Yes, I just need to put it down on paper, have the parents look it over and be good with it.
I would also have a paper copy available of all contact numbers just incase you aren’t able to grab your phone or it gets lost in the hustle and bustle that an emergency event can bring about. I like CH’s idea of having a meeting spot be at a local fire or police department or library or a hospital even.I do have everything for my kiddo's on my phone for contacts. My worry is what if communication is down and we can't reach the parents? Our town has the interstate running right through it, and each way to my house from where my parents work, involves crossing a bridge which may not be there in the even of a disaster.
Yes, I just need to put it down on paper, have the parents look it over and be good with it.