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Disaster Planning and Preparedness in Early Childhood and School Age Care

Bobby Howard

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In the wake of recent natural disasters and other emergencies, it has become increasingly clear that disaster planning and preparedness are essential for all organizations, including those that care for children. Early childhood and school age care providers have a unique responsibility to protect the children in their care, and they must be prepared to respond to any type of emergency that may arise.

This article provides an overview of disaster planning and preparedness for early childhood and school age care providers. It covers the following topics:

The importance of disaster planning and preparedness
The steps involved in developing a disaster plan
The resources available to help providers develop and implement disaster plans
The benefits of disaster planning and preparedness

There are many reasons why disaster planning and preparedness are important for early childhood and school age care providers. First, disasters can happen at any time, and they can strike anywhere. No one is immune to the effects of natural disasters, man-made disasters, or other emergencies.

Disaster Planning and Preparedness in Early Childhood and School-Age Care Settings (Redleaf Quick Guides)

by Fiona Benson

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1606 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	98 pages

Second, children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of disasters. They are more likely to be injured or killed in a disaster, and they may not be able to evacuate on their own.

Third, early childhood and school age care providers have a legal and ethical responsibility to protect the children in their care. This includes taking steps to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Developing a disaster plan is a complex and time-consuming process, but it is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of children in your care. The following steps will help you get started:

Identify the hazards that could affect your program. What types of natural disasters or other emergencies are most likely to occur in your area?
Assess your vulnerabilities. What are the potential risks to children, staff, and property in the event of a disaster?
Develop a plan to mitigate the risks. What steps can you take to reduce the likelihood of a disaster occurring, or to minimize the impact of a disaster if it does occur?
Develop a plan for evacuation and relocation. Where will you evacuate to in the event of a disaster? How will you transport children and staff to the evacuation site?
Develop a plan for providing care during and after a disaster. How will you provide for the basic needs of children and staff during and after a disaster?
Train staff on the disaster plan. All staff must be familiar with the disaster plan and know what their roles and responsibilities are in the event of an emergency.
Test the disaster plan. Conduct regular drills to practice the disaster plan and identify any areas that need improvement.

There are a number of resources available to help early childhood and school age care providers develop and implement disaster plans. These resources include:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a variety of resources on disaster planning and preparedness for child care providers.
The National Child Care Association (NCCA) offers a free online course on disaster planning for child care providers.
The American Red Cross offers a variety of resources on disaster planning and preparedness for child care providers.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) provides a variety of resources on disaster planning and preparedness for early childhood educators.

There are many benefits to disaster planning and preparedness for early childhood and school age care providers. These benefits include:

Increased safety for children, staff, and property. A well-developed and implemented disaster plan can help to reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of a disaster.
Improved ability to respond to emergencies. A disaster plan will help you to respond quickly and effectively to any type of emergency.
Increased peace of mind. Knowing that you have a plan in place can give you peace of mind in the event of a disaster.

Disaster planning and preparedness are essential for all organizations, including those that care for children. By taking the time to develop and implement a disaster plan, you can help to protect the children in your care and ensure their safety in the event of an emergency.

Disaster Planning and Preparedness in Early Childhood and School-Age Care Settings (Redleaf Quick Guides)

by Fiona Benson

5 out of 5