We occasionally have problems with not being able to reach someone when a child is ill or injured. If you need to be notified because of your child’s illness or injury, it is imperative that we be able to reach someone. If you or your spouse/significant other are listed as emergency contacts, please make sure one of you can be reached at all times. If there is ever a situation where you know you cannot be reached, for whatever reason, please make sure the staff has the name and phone number of another individual that can always be reached. We also request that if you are notified of your child’s illness or injury, you arrive at the daycare to pick him/her up in a timely manner. Please understand that an injured child requires one-on-one care. It is also extremely unfair to expect an ill or injured child to remain at childcare because we cannot reach someone to come and get them.

How we will prepare our home:

* Train all family members in how to use a fire extinguisher;

* Ensure that each family member knows where the emergency supplies are kept;

* Customize evacuation plans for a variety of emergency scenarios;

What emergency supplies we will need:

* First aid kit;

* Shelter, a plastic tarp or a small tent;

* Blankets, extra set of clothing;

* Water: at least 4 liters per person;

* Food: canned goods, dried fruit, canned juices;

* A flashlight and spare batteries;

* A battery-operated radio and spare batteries;

* Essential medication and supplies;

* Paper and pencil;

* Photographs of all family members;

* Money: coins for pay phones.

How and where we will meet and contact parents:

* If we need to evacuate our home, we will take your child to the Killarney Community Center If we are unable to get to the meeting place, please call outside of Canada: 0118618908205990

A description of our practice drills, as well as schedule for practices, there will be four situations:

If we are inside our home:

* Stay there;

* Stay out of the kitchen, it is safer in the halls, and in corners or in doorways;

* Take over under a heavy table, desk or any solid furniture, hold our head down and tuck in arms and legs;

* Teach the children to protect their faces and keep their hands off the floor;

* Avoid areas near windows.

If we are outside our home:

* Stay there and get clear of the buildings and any wires;

* Keep staying in an open area.

If we are in a vehicle:

* Pullover;

* Stay away from bridges, overpasses, and buildings;

* Stay in the vehicle.

If we are in a crowded place:

* Take over and watch that ourselves and the children do not get trampled;

* Take cover in the nearest store, stay away from windows, skylights, and display shelves of heavy objects;

* Remain in a protected place until the shaking stops;

* Anticipate aftershocks.

* Plan how we and the children would leave each room in the event of a fire;

* Practice home fire drills. Emergency planning is only effective if we practice regularly. Practice a minimum of once a month;

* Teach children to always respond quickly to our “fire” command, or to the sound of the smoke alarm;

* Teach the children the STOP, DROP and ROLL procedure, this means that if any part of their body or clothing is on fire, children should stop, drop down to the floor or ground, and roll on the ground to put out the flames;

* Demonstrate to the children what we take outside with us: our bodies;

* Select a meeting place outside where it is safe to meet and is away from the house;

* Visit the local fire station as a field trip.

Before allowing the children to wander, we will:

* Explain carefully the boundaries of the play area, be sure that each child understands where they can and cannot play;

* Make sure that every child knows our full name and telephone number, if not, be sure they carry it with them;

* Caution children never to wander off alone;

* Tell children to stay close to the group, and have a buddy to play with;

* Ensure that we know the children of the group well before going off-site;

* Do a regular headcount;

* Carry children’s emergency cards with us at all times;

* Prepare the children ahead of time by telling them if they get lost to:

* Stay calm;

* Stay where they are, and not wander any further;

* Go to a meeting place planned for each new adventure.

If a child has wandered off, we will:

* Check all known play areas of the child;

* Telephone the police after an immediate search has not located the child;

* Inform the child’s parents;

* Have a description of the child ready;

* Telephone a backup support person to stay with the other children while we are searching for the lost child;

* Check the child’s home if it is close by.

When a child is found, we will:

* Call the child’s parents/guardian;

* Alert everyone else involved;

* Reported to licensing /police;

* Education of children;

* Evaluate the event.