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If you work in childcare

All childcare centres must practise their evacuation procedures regularly. While you know how to evacuate your building, have you thought about what you would do if not just your building, but the entire area was affected? By planning ahead, you can help your staff and children stay safe in an emergency. The following tips may help you with your planning:

• Nominate an evacuation site some distance away, in case the entire area is evacuated. Look for a facility/space that is open the same hours as your service, that allows you to shelter, supervise your children and has toilet facilities. Suitable facilities may include community centres, hotels, pubs and other childcare centres.
• Think about who may be able to help in the event of an area evacuation. For instance, parents working nearby may agree to be volunteer helpers. A nearby business may also agree to supply Emergency Buddies to assist in an evacuation (subject to police checks).
• Keep some Go Bags containing useful supplies near the door in case of an evacuation. These may contain nappies, water, formula, extra children’s clothes, a first-aid kit, handwipes, gloves, water and a small amount of petty cash.
• Your Go Bag should also contain the list of up to date parent contact numbers.
• The more that parents know about your evacuation plans, the less likely they are to panic. Include information about your plans in the centre handbook, issue reminders and update their contact details regularly. Inviting parents to watch an evacuation drill or giving them updates on how your drills are going will also increase their confidence.
• You might consider having coloured wristbands with the childcare centre’s name and emergency contact details printed on them to put in your Go Bag for use in an evacuation.