Remain in building to ensure that no one is left in the building and confirm the safety of the children.
Determine with emergency officials when the area is “all clear.” Do not let anyone back in the building until cleared. Confirm head count of children AND staff before anyone returns to building.
If there is the possibility that we will be evacuating for any length of time, or it’s not possible to return to the building, Administration will designate someone to bring the program backpacks and “evacuation basket” – containing diapers, wipes, snacks, water and activities – to the evacuation area to await further instruction.
EDUCATORS
Bring attendance sheets, emergency contact list, and any emergency medications (e.g. epi-pens) outside.
Gather children and help them toward the nearest exit by using calm voices and walking feet. Do NOT tell children to hurry up or encourage them to run.
Children do not take time to put on coats or boots. Depending on weather conditions, gather as many coats and/or blankets as possible as you exit.
Place three to four infants in each evacuation crib and wheel to the nearest exit. Toddlers walk or are carried to the safety area, and preschoolers walk independently.
FOLLOW THE EVACUATION ROUTES posted in each classroom and go to the designated spot to wait for the “all clear” signal.
EVACUATION OFF-SITE
ADMIN
Administration will designate someone to bring the program backpacks and “evacuation basket” – containing diapers, wipes, snacks, water and activities – to the evacuation area to await further instructions.
Contact parents or emergency contacts and make arrangements to pick the children up as soon as it’s safe.
Call the facility and Inform the administrator in charge of the emergency and of our arrival, including how many children and approximate duration of stay (typically 3-5 hours).
An administrator, (or a staff member) should follow by vehicle if possible, with the back-up water supply, some snack, and the Evacuation Basket that includes: flashlights and batteries, a one-day supply of diapers and wipes, activity kits for each age group, back-up first aid supplies, hand sanitizer, and trash bags.
EVACUATION CHECKLIST
When we must evacuate the center, proper attendance is vital to keeping everyone safe. Classroom teachers are responsible for:
Daily attendance
Emergency Information Sheets for each child
Any medications and supplies that will be vital for care for the next 1-2 hours (including all emergency medications, like epi-pens)
Blankets in cold weather
One diaper per child who needs one and a box of wipes.
REVERSE EVACUATION
Movement of children and staff back into the center due to a danger/emergency outside. An example of this is a suspicious or criminal act occurring nearby or a wild animal.
SHELTER-IN-PLACE
When a threat creates hazardous conditions outside the center, children and staff may need to shelter-in-place. This may also need to occur if it is not safe or there is insufficient time to move to a designated assembly area or secondary relocation site. Shelter-in-place involves keeping children and staff in place inside the building and securing the center for the immediate emergency. Examples of situations include tornados, community violence, or a hazardous material spill.
ADMIN
Limit outdoor activities
Monitor weather conditions
Be in contact with local officials
Signal and communicate when shelter-in-place is necessary
Shut off building’s air handling systems, gas, electric, water and other utilities (if necessary)
EDUCATORS
Bring children and staff to the predetermined areas within the center. Stay away from windows and doors.
Close and lock all windows and doors.
Gather disaster supplies and bring to the predetermined area, as applicable.
Conduct a head count to ensure everyone is present and accounted for in the area.
Wait for the “all clear” signal.
Keep your group together, be calm, follow all instructions, wait for “all clear” from Administration, and be as safe as possible.
LOCK-DOWN
ADMIN
Be in contact with local officials and/or 911
If appropriate, announce “Attention, hostile intruder in ___ classroom”
Secure building entrances, ensuring that no unauthorized individuals leave or enter the building.
Once cleared with local officials, announce “all clear”
EDUCATORS
Bring children and staff to the predetermined areas within the center. Stay away from windows and doors.
Close and lock windows and doors and shut blinds
Turn off lights, put cell phone on silent mode.
Ensure that all children are present and accounted for and that no one leaves the classroom or designated safe area locations.
Encourage children to remain out of sight (e.g. get under desks, behind cabinets). If possible, engage in quiet storytime activities with the children until “all clear” is announced.
If an active shooter, fight back as last resort
Keep your group together, be calm, follow all instructions, wait for “all clear” from Administration, and be as safe as possible.
Report loss of electrical power immediately to the power company.
For phone service loss, an administrator will contact our telephone service provider to arrange for urgent repair and notify families alerting them to our status.
For loss of power, check the circuit breakers and provide flashlights to each classroom.
In the case of an extended power outage, call families to retrieve breast milk. Dispose of any food (and breast milk) that requires refrigeration.
If there is no definitive timetable for restoring utility after an hour, notify families to come pick up their child as soon as possible.
EDUCATORS
For loss of water, each location maintains a minimum of six gallons of water just for loss of water. Flush toilets with the supply of bottled water. Use wipes for washing hands after diapering and toileting to conserve the bottled water for drinking, flushing, and dishwashing.
In case of loss of heat during program hours, we’ll make every effort to stay open and maintain our regular routine. We’ll monitor the temperature and use portable heaters. If the temperature drops below 65° dress children warmly in coats/blankets as appropriate.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Notify an Administrator immediately of any suspected gas leaks or suspicious smells.
The Administrator will notify the gas company and fire department and follow their safety directions.
Be prepared to isolate the immediate area, evacuate, or take other precautions like sealing windows, doorways, shutting off air intake systems to provide protection from airborne hazardous materials.
If there is a temporary threat specific only to the premises, we will follow evacuation procedures, then follow the off-site evacuation procedures.
In the event of a major environmental hazard that necessitates a large evacuation – such as several neighborhoods – the local government agency will determine the mass shelter location. All educators must accompany their assigned children to the shelter and remain with them while the family/guardian/emergency contacts are notified, and arrangements are made for their pick-up.