A Child's Place maintains written policies that guide our approach to major issues and provide a common understanding of many practical and safety related issues. Our policies reflect current state and federal regulations as well as best practices in early childhood educaiton. We suggest that all parents become familiar with our policies and we encourage you to contact your child's head teacher or the Executive Director if you have any questions. Our programs and policies reflect the contributions of all involved and are updated regularly to reflect parent feedback as well as changes in state and federal regulations and best professional practices.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

In the event of a major disaster, children shall remain under the supervision of A Child’s Place staff until a parent or emergency contact arrives at the center. All actions will be directed to the safety and well-being of both children and staff at A Child’s Place. No child will be released to an unauthorized person.

PERSONNEL PROCEDURES

1. In the event of a disaster or emergency, the first responsibility of all employees at A Child’s Place is to ensure the safety of the children. Teachers and staff will remain with the children until they can be released. Arrangements for the safekeeping of children of staff must be made in advance as professional responsibility will be with the children in their care at A Child’s Place.
2. In the event of a disaster or emergency, the first responsibility of all employees at A Child’s Place is to ensure the safety of the children. Teachers and staff will remain with the children until they can be released. Arrangements for the safekeeping of children of staff must be made in advance as professional responsibility will be with the children in their care at A Child’s Place.
3. The Office Manager will supervise outsiders who arrive at the center.
4. All staff will coordinate First Aid and CPR efforts.
5. An Emergency Book is located in each classroom as well as in the main office, next to the staff mail boxes. Children and staff attendance and emergency contact lists are located in this book, as well as a list of all allergies and medical conditions that require medication. Such medications are located in locked boxes in classrooms or in office for administrative and office staff members.
6. The Executive Director will notify families of staff about their safety and whereabouts during an emergency. In the event of an evacuation, a notice will be posted on the front door.
7. The Executive Director will determine the release of information to press, etc.
8. The Executive Director will determine whether to vacate or to remain at the center site and whether the children are to remain in their rooms or to be brought to a central area. These directions may also be given from 911.
9. The above information will be communicated by the executive director to the staff by intercom or messengers system.
   The messages will be:

Code Lock Down—Bring children into rooms and hold them there until further instruction.

Code Evacuate—Fire Alarm System will be used, unless a bomb threat in which messesnger system will be used. Orderly movement outside.

ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBILITIES BY POSITION

1. Executive Director under the direction of the SCCS Board is responsible for all pre-disaster planning and preparedness for the center. In the event of an emergency, the Executive Director will assume the over-all direction of disaster procedures for the agency.
2. In the event of a disaster that causes structural damage, call 911. Emergency personnel will shut off appropriate equipment.
3. Head Teachers have in their emergency bags the following:
• Emergency medications for children and staff in their room.
• Blankets; formulas and diapers in rooms where needed; wipes in each room.
• Flashlights.
• Fun kit, story books, tapes and tape recorder (to occupy children).
• First aid kit.
• ACP Emergency cell phone number - 216-9941.
4. Office Manager will have in the Office Emergency Bag:
• Emergency medications for office and SON staff.
• Blankets and wipes.
• Flashlights.
• First aid kit.
• Battery operated radio and extra batteries.
5. Head Teachers are responsible for the supervision of children in their charge. In discharging this responsibility, they will be governed by specific directives or guidelines issued by the Disaster Coordinator and/or the Executive Director.
6. 6. All staff is required to participate in monthly fire/emergency drills:
• Head Teachers must take the Emergency book for that room, as well as the attendance sheet for that day.
• The last staff person to exit scans the room and cubbie area, turns out lights, leaves with a blanket, and closes door.
• Staff returns to building when instructed by the Executive Director, Administrative Assistant, SON Administrator, or Office Manager.
7. During actual emergency:
• Head Teachers direct the evacuation of children in their respective rooms to inside or outside assembly areas, according to signals and messages.
• Head Teachers and Teachers remain with children.
• Head Teachers take roll call when class is relocated to designated area or at another location as soon as conditions permit.
• Head Teachers report any missing children or staff to Disaster Coordinator.
• First Aid will be administered by certified staff in area designated.
• If staff is not on classroom duty with children at the time of an emergency, they need to report immediately to their assigned classroom.
• The Finance Manager will aid the First Steps Toddler Room; the SON staff will aid the First Steps Infant Room.
• Return to building when instructed by Executive Director and/or Disaster Coordinator.




COMMUNICATION


1. In the event of an emergency, there may be no telephone communications. If the telephones and intercom are inoperative, messengers will be used to communicate with each classroom according to emergency protocols. Each time you receive a message, please repeat the message received for clarification.
2. Battery operated radios in operative condition are located at the Office Manager’s desk, the SON Administrator’s desk, and the Executive Director’s office. These radios are tuned to WWPT (90.3 FM).
3. If the children must remain at the center, the Executive Director shall send a message to the local police and fire departments, advising them of our location and the number of people at the site. If evacuation is necessary, a message will be sent to the radio stations as well as installed on the answering machine at the center and on the center’s emergency cell phone, informing the location and procedures necessary for parents to pick up children. Town Resources include Local Emergency Radio WWPT 90.3 FM (341-1381), Local Cable TV News 12, Town of Westport CH 79, Town Hall 341-1000 or www.westportct.gov, Police dispatch center 341-6000. Fire Dispatch Center 341-5010, Disaster info 454-6199.
4. If telephones are inoperative, the police and fire departments will be responsible for notifying these radio stations to disseminate information. Other resources include: Local Cable TV News 12, Town of Westport CH 79, and Town Hall ww.westportct.gov.
5. The following means of notification must be followed:
• FIRE — Pull fire alarm
• BOMB THREAT — Dial 911
• EXPLOSION/THREAT OF EXPOLSION — Pull fire alarm
• HURRICANE/TORNADO/SEVERE WINDS — Listen to WWPT FM 90.3. Evacuate if tornado warning is issued. Bus to Conservative Synagogue.




BUILDING EMERGENCY EVACUATION


1. In the event that the school must evacuate, the police/fire departments will instruct us to:
• Wait for emergency Dattco bus transportation to our designated emergency evacuation site:
  The Conservative Synagogue, 30 Hillspoint Road, 454-4673.
• In the event the town of Westport cannot provide transportation, staff will transport children to the evacuation site.
• If overnight coverage is required, the children will be transported by Dattco bus from the synagogue to Long Lots School, 13 Hyde Lane, 341-1900 - Town Emergency Shelter.
2. Parents will be notified by home/cell phones, email and text message (via Connect-Ed) as to where and when their children should be picked up. A notice will be posted on the front door of the school to alert parents of the location of the children. Each classroom will take their emergency books with them. The Executive Director/Administrative Assistant will take the “all school” emergency book with them. The Executive Director/Administrative Assistant or at least two staff will remain until all the children have been picked-up.




TOWN WIDE EVACUATION


1. 1. In the event of a town-wide emergency and evacuation is required, all children and staff will evacuate to The Conservative Synagogue,
   30 Hillspoint Road, Westport.
2. If overnight coverage is required, the children will be transported to Long Lots School, 13 Hyde Lane, Westport, the Town Emergency Shelter.




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