Safety First

Together with the Washington State Department of Health, we have developed an Emergency & Disaster Response Plan designated for response to fire, natural disasters, and other emergencies.  Our plan addresses what we are going to do if there is a disaster and parents are not able to get their children for two or three days. If a local emergency plan is in place, such as at a local school district, we will coordinate those procedures and actions in developing our own plan.

 

The Disaster Plan is:

 

a)    Specific to our childcare center and relevant to the types of disasters that might occur in the location of our child care center

 

b)    Posted in every classroom for easy access by parents and staff

 

Our Disaster Plan Identifies:

 

a)    The designated position of the person (example: director, lead teacher, program supervisor, etc.) who is responsible for each part of the plan

 

b)    Procedures for accounting of all children and staff during and after the emergency

 

c)    How we evacuate the premises, if necessary and the meeting location after evacuation

 

d)    How we care for children with special needs during and after the    disaster

 

e)    How we provide for children until parents are able to pick the child(ren) up

 

f)     How we contact parents or how parents can contact the childcare    center

 

g)    Transportation arrangements, if necessary

 

Parents will receive a copy of the full Emergency & Disaster Response Plan annually with their enrollment package. Our safety program also includes conducting monthly fire drills and quarterly disaster drills. 

 

In the event of a natural disaster, extended power failure, national emergency, etc. parents will be contacted and expected to pick-up their children as soon as possible. 

 

If it is decided that the building is too unsafe to remain occupied a note and outgoing message will be left at the center indicating where we evacuated to.

 

What is the center’s Emergency & Disaster Response Plan?

While we only use organic lawn care products, like most child care centers we deal with the combination of children and food, therefore we sometimes have problems with sugar ants. We have contracted with Orkin to spray around the exterior of our facility for ants at 9am on the second Saturday of each month.

 

We have posted a notice by the front door which includes:

 

a)  product name of the pesticide being used

 

b)  date and time of application

 

c)  location where the pesticide will be applied

 

d)  pest to be controlled

 

e)  name and number of a contact person at the facility if you have a question.

 

In addition, to notify people that a pesticide has been used, a marker will be placed at each primary point of entry to the center grounds. This marker will be:

 

a)  a minimum of four inches by five inches;

b)  printed in colors contrasting to the background; and

c)  left in place for at least twenty-four hours following the pesticide  

     application or longer if a longer restricted period is stated on the label.

 

This marker will also include:

 

a)  a headline that states “This landscape has recently been sprayed or treated with pesticides”;

b)  who has treated the landscape; and

c)  who to call for more information.

 

If your child is sensitive to pesticides or is prone to allergic reactions to chemicals, please not e this on the Health Information section of your child’s enrollment form and notify the center Director or Manager so that we may take the necessary precautions.

 

A copy of this policy is posted on the main bulletin board in the front lobby.

A copy of our center’s pesticide policy is posted on the main bulletin board in the front lobby.

 

What is the center’s pesticide application policy?