Hot, dry and shakey - how is Home Sweet Home prepared?
It is not essential to involve children in a culture of fear. It is reasonable to teach them safe body postures and how to respond to emergencies. Home Sweet Home does not rehearse for earthquakes. We do involve children in knowing the "ready position". We encourage that parents cheerfully practice this at home with their child. Place both hands behind the head protecting the neck, kneel in the fetal position with the forehead down to the ground - hold this until an adult says "Clear! You may sit up.".
Home Sweet Home has posted in each classroom a Disaster Preparedness plan that outlines the roles held by various staff members. Parents are asked to take direction from lead staff if they are present during an emergency or drill. A reminder that in each classroom is a red dot indicating the strongest point of structural safety (usually in the kitchen or bathroom). First Aid kits are stored in the kitchens, bathroom #1 and the diaper changing area.
Big Friends receive training on how to support the children and program, including touring the premises, identifying the red dot zones and the storage fo first aid kits. Their first priority is their own safety, their responsibility to support the safety of the children is secondary. Most Big Friends leave their classrooms to support the children during monthly drills!
Parents are asked NOT to call Home Sweet Home after an earthquake. Staff must be able to focus on the physical and emotional needs of the children. Please assume all is well unless you are contacted directly. In the event of evacuation, an autoresponse phone message will go out to all parents. Additonally, as staff are able, an email blast will also go out. If parents pick up early PLEASE make verbal contact with staff members and sign your child out in the book with the correct time.
As a licensed daycare, Home Sweet Home is identified with emergency services as a first priority location.
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