The website organization of my choice
the Child Care Aware site discussed the topic this week of emergency planning
in programs. This covers information of any and all emergencies that could
occur during business hours including attacks, fires, and storms. Being in the
panhandle near the Gulf of Mexico storms and flooding are a realty constantly.
Another issue of being on a Military installation there is the issue of
breaches of base gates. Emergency protocol is extremely important for those
within the program providers and families alike.
The site included these tables to be able to share the information of the
survey done on a group of parents whose children are in a program (Child Care
Aware, 2017).
Preliminary Child Care Emergency Preparedness
Survey Data, March 2017
Source: Child
Care Aware® of America
Be proactive. Ask child
care providers about their preparedness and response plans for emergencies.
Over 45% of parents also reported that the child care emergency plan was not
communicated to them.
This information is all
highly important today for the attacks that happen throughout the nation on
public areas. The security and safety of our children in our programs is of the
highest importance. Having and sharing the plans that are put into place when disaster
strikes is important to ensure the safety of all. This includes the families
who are going to want immediate access to their children.
In my program each family is
given an emergency packet that outlines address and phone numbers of three
locations and people who will be able to be in constant contact should an
emergency arise. The parents are individually introduced to the procedures and
are asked to retain the signed for packet as well as the information in their
phones to be in compliance. The drills are practiced monthly this is both fire
and shelter in place. When information is needed to be updated parents are
notified in writing within 24 hours to ensure compliance.
The site is very well
balanced with the ideas of politicians, neurologist as well as economist
agreeing that children are our future and supporting them allows for growth Child Care Aware.
(2017). Health and
wellness is discussed for not just children in our care, but the providers who
are caring for the children. This is a great well rounded site that focuses on
overall benefits of early learning.
Reference:
Child Care Aware. (2017). Parents:
Is Your Child Care Program Prepared? Retrieved from http://usa.childcareaware.org/2017/03/parents-child-care-program-prepared/.
Child Care Aware. (2017). Wash, Wash,
Wash Your Hands. Retrieved from http://childcareaware.org/wash-wash-wash-hands/.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I learned a lot from your blog this week. Child Care Aware is an organization that I am not really familiar with. After reading your post, I am heading to check it out.
Hi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteGreat information! Not many think about the emergencies that could happen and how to prepare for them. I will be bookmarking this site to read over in the future.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteThis is great information. I was very impressed about the parents receiving an emergency packet that covers everything. I am sharing this with my director. We explain drills to our parents, but we don't go into great detail with emergency numbers and location. This site is very informative. Thank you for sharing.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteThis is something that all centers and schools should be practicing every month and I have worked at places that did that but for the most part they do not. The most upsetting part is the the parents are not being told about it. They need to be updated regularly too. Great post!
I love the preparedness plan. I belive all school should have this in place. The emergency packet is great. This allows the parents to remind in the loop and always be involved.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are finding Child Care Aware a valuable resource! As a family licensed program, I have worked with them for over 20 yrs. They do so much to help with professional development as well. The emergency preparedness course you referenced is one that is new in the field of early care and a requirement of the Child Development Block Grant. Last month I went to a training to become of trainer of this course in our community! I am so excited to bring this knowledge and research to my community, it really is important information. ~thanks for sharing, Karlene
Stephanie thanks for the information that you provided. As the assistant director I have had to help the director formulate an emergency preparedness plan for both of her facilities and the information included in this endeavor is extensive but very important. Our parents have been notified of the emergency procedures via letter to the parents. I hope that the need for this kit never arises but if it does it pays to be prepared.
ReplyDelete