Daycare Emergency Preparedness Guide 2026: What Parents Must Know

When you drop your child at daycare, you trust they'll be safe—even in an emergency. From natural disasters to lockdown situations to medical crises, quality daycares must be prepared for the unexpected.

This guide explains what emergency preparedness should look like at your daycare, what questions to ask, and how to ensure your child's program is ready for anything.

Table of Contents

• Why Emergency Preparedness Matters
• Types of Emergencies Daycares Plan For
• What Quality Daycares Have in Place
• Evacuation Plans and Drills
• Lockdown and Shelter-in-Place
• Natural Disaster Preparedness
• Medical Emergencies
• Communication During Emergencies
• Questions to Ask Your Daycare

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Why Emergency Preparedness Matters

The case for taking this seriously.

The Reality

Statistics:

• Daycares experience ~500,000 reportable incidents annually
• Natural disasters affect childcare centers every year
• Medical emergencies occur regularly
• Preparation makes the difference in outcomes

What's Required

Most states require daycares to have:

• Written emergency plans
• Evacuation procedures
• Emergency supply kits
• Regular drills (fire, typically monthly)
• First aid trained staff
• Emergency contact systems

However:

• Requirements vary by state
• Compliance varies by program
• Quality of plans varies widely
• Drills may be inconsistent

Your Role as a Parent

You should:

• Know your daycare's emergency plans
• Ensure contact information is current
• Understand pickup procedures in emergencies
• Know backup pickup people are authorized
• Feel confident in the program's preparation

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Types of Emergencies Daycares Plan For

Categories of potential incidents.

Fire and Smoke

The most common drill:

• Monthly fire drills typical
• Clear evacuation routes
• Meeting points established
• Practice with all children

Medical Emergencies

Staff must be ready for:

• Allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
• Choking
• Breathing difficulties
• Seizures
• Head injuries
• Diabetic emergencies
• Sudden illness

Weather Events

Depending on region:

• Tornadoes
• Hurricanes
• Severe thunderstorms
• Flooding
• Extreme heat/cold
• Winter storms

Security Threats

Lockdown situations:

• Unauthorized person on premises
• Threat in surrounding area
• Active threat (rare but planned for)
• Custody disputes

Facility Emergencies

Building issues:

• Power outages
• Gas leaks
• Water main breaks
• HVAC failures
• Structural concerns

Community Emergencies

External events:

• Nearby accidents
• Chemical spills
• Police activity in area
• Civil unrest

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What Quality Daycares Have in Place

The elements of good emergency preparedness.

Written Emergency Plan

Should include:

• Specific procedures for each emergency type
• Staff roles and responsibilities
• Evacuation routes and destinations
• Communication protocols
• Parent notification systems
• Reunification procedures
• Recovery plans

Where it should be:

• Posted in each classroom
• In staff handbook
• Provided to parents on request
• Reviewed and updated annually

Emergency Supplies

Basic kit should include:

| Category | Items | |----------|-------| | First aid | Complete first aid kit, AED if possible | | Medications | EpiPens, inhalers for enrolled children | | Communication | Battery radio, charged phone/charger | | Light | Flashlights, batteries | | Water | 1 gallon per person (3-day supply) | | Food | Non-perishable snacks (3-day supply) | | Sanitation | Diapers, wipes, sanitation supplies | | Documents | Emergency contact lists, medical info | | Comfort | Blankets, stuffed animals for children |

Staff Training

All staff should have:

• CPR and first aid certification
• Emergency plan training
• Regular drill participation
• Understanding of their specific role
• Knowledge of children with special needs

Drill Schedule

| Drill Type | Typical Frequency | |------------|------------------| | Fire drill | Monthly | | Tornado/severe weather | Seasonally (or monthly in tornado areas) | | Lockdown drill | Annually or bi-annually | | Earthquake drill | Monthly (in earthquake zones) | | Full evacuation | Annually |

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Evacuation Plans and Drills

Getting children out safely.

Evacuation Basics

Every classroom should have:

• Posted evacuation route map
• Two exit routes (primary and alternate)
• Designated outdoor meeting spot
• Designated off-site evacuation location
• Emergency go-bag ready

What Happens in an Evacuation

Standard procedure:

1. Alert given (fire alarm, staff announcement)
2. Staff take attendance roster and emergency bag
3. Children exit via designated route
4. Staff counts children at meeting spot
5. Report "all clear" or missing children
6. Parents notified as appropriate

Off-Site Evacuation

When the building must be vacated:

• Pre-arranged relocation site (church, community center, etc.)
• Walking route planned (for nearby locations)
• Transportation plan (for distant locations)
• Parent notification and pickup procedures

Questions about off-site plans:

1. "Where is your off-site evacuation location?"
2. "How will you transport children there?"
3. "How will you notify parents?"
4. "What's the reunification process?"

For Children with Special Needs

Additional planning for:

• Children with mobility challenges
• Children with sensory sensitivities
• Children who need medical equipment
• Children with behavioral considerations

Ask:

• "How do you accommodate children with disabilities in evacuations?"
• "What's the plan for children who need wheelchairs or other equipment?"

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Lockdown and Shelter-in-Place

Protecting children inside the building.

Types of Lockdowns

Shelter-in-place:

• External threat (weather, environmental)
• Stay inside, away from windows
• Normal activities may continue inside
• Less frightening for children

Secure perimeter:

• Potential threat in area
• Doors locked, no entry/exit
• Normal activities inside
• Heightened awareness

Full lockdown:

• Immediate threat
• All doors locked
• Lights off, children hidden
• Silence maintained

What Children Experience

Age-appropriate approaches:

| Age | Approach | |-----|----------| | Infants | Move to safe area, calm voice | | Toddlers | Simple, calm language, routine | | Preschool | "Staying safe game," quiet activities | | School-age | More information, calm explanation |

Good programs:

• Use child-friendly language
• Practice drills calmly
• Don't create fear
• Provide comfort and reassurance

Practice Drills

What to expect:

• Annual or semi-annual lockdown drills
• Age-appropriate practice
• Quick, not prolonged
• Debriefing afterward

Ask:

• "How often do you practice lockdown drills?"
• "How do you present it to children?"
• "How do you help children who get scared?"

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Natural Disaster Preparedness

Region-specific planning.

Tornado Preparedness

If in tornado-prone area:

• Designated tornado shelter (interior, ground floor)
• Warning system (weather radio, alerts)
• Regular tornado drills
• Mattresses or protection for heads

What to ask:

• "Where is your tornado shelter?"
• "How do you receive tornado warnings?"
• "How often do you practice tornado drills?"

Hurricane Preparedness

If in hurricane zone:

• Building assessment and protection
• Closure decisions and timing
• Communication plan for extended closures
• Recovery and reopening plans

What to ask:

• "What's your hurricane closure policy?"
• "How will you communicate before/during a hurricane?"
• "What's your plan for reopening after?"

Earthquake Preparedness

If in earthquake zone:

• "Drop, cover, hold on" training
• Secured furniture and equipment
• Monthly earthquake drills
• Evacuation routes cleared
• Post-earthquake safety checks

What to ask:

• "How have you secured shelving and heavy items?"
• "How often do you practice earthquake drills?"
• "What's your post-earthquake procedure?"

Flooding and Water Events

If flood risk exists:

• Awareness of flood zones
• Evacuation to higher ground plan
• Water damage prevention
• Communication during flood events

Extreme Temperatures

For heat and cold:

• HVAC backup plans
• Indoor/outdoor decision protocols
• Appropriate clothing reminders
• Hydration and warmth provisions

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Medical Emergencies

Handling health crises.

Staff Training

All staff should have:

• Current CPR certification (infant/child)
• First aid certification
• Training on common emergencies
• Training on specific children's conditions

Additional training for:

• EpiPen administration
• Seizure response
• Diabetic emergencies
• Choking (infant/child Heimlich)

Emergency Medical Supplies

On-site essentials:

• Complete first aid kit (restocked regularly)
• AED (Automated External Defibrillator) recommended
• Emergency medications for enrolled children
• Oxygen (in some settings)
• Emergency contact information

When to Call 911

Staff should call for:

• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe allergic reaction
• Seizure (especially first-time)
• Head/neck injury
• Serious bleeding
• Suspected poisoning
• Any life-threatening condition

Parent Notification

You should be called:

• Immediately for serious emergencies
• Same day for any medical treatment
• According to your preferences for minor issues

Ask:

• "What's your threshold for calling 911?"
• "How quickly will I be notified of an emergency?"
• "Who calls the parent while caring for the child?"

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Communication During Emergencies

How you'll be informed.

Communication Systems

Quality programs use:

• Mass notification systems (text/email blasts)
• Phone trees or calling systems
• App notifications
• Website updates
• Social media (secondary)

What You Should Expect

During an emergency: | Timeframe | Communication | |-----------|---------------| | Immediately | Text/call about situation | | Within 30 min | Update on status and plan | | As needed | Ongoing updates | | Resolution | Final status and next steps |

Your Responsibilities

Keep updated:

• Current phone numbers (cell and work)
• Current email address
• Current emergency contacts
• Preferences for how to be reached

Respond appropriately:

• Follow instructions given
• Don't call repeatedly (ties up lines)
• Wait for official updates
• Go to specified pickup location if directed

Reunification Procedures

In a major emergency:

• Pickup may not be at regular location
• ID will likely be required
• Only authorized people can pickup
• Child release documented

Know:

• Who is authorized to pick up your child
• Where alternate pickup locations might be
• What ID you should bring
• How to verify pickup instructions are legitimate

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Questions to Ask Your Daycare

Comprehensive checklist.

General Emergency Preparedness

1. "Can I see your written emergency plan?"
2. "How often is the plan reviewed and updated?"
3. "What emergency training do staff receive?"
4. "Where are your emergency supplies kept?"
5. "How long could you shelter in place if needed?"

Fire and Evacuation

1. "How often do you conduct fire drills?"
2. "Where is your off-site evacuation location?"
3. "How would you transport children if needed?"
4. "What's your procedure for accounting for all children?"

Lockdown and Security

1. "What security measures are in place?"
2. "How do you handle lockdown situations?"
3. "How often do you practice lockdown drills?"
4. "How do you prevent unauthorized entry?"

Weather and Natural Disasters

1. "What's your plan for [relevant weather: tornado/hurricane/earthquake]?"
2. "Where do children go during severe weather?"
3. "At what point do you close due to weather?"
4. "How do you communicate about weather closures?"

Medical Emergencies

1. "What first aid training do staff have?"
2. "Do you have an AED on site?"
3. "How are children's medications stored and administered?"
4. "What's your policy on calling 911?"

Communication

1. "How will you notify me in an emergency?"
2. "What communication system do you use?"
3. "How quickly will I be notified?"
4. "What's the reunification procedure?"

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Red Flags and Green Flags

What to look for.

Red Flags

Concerning signs:

• No written emergency plan
• Staff unaware of emergency procedures
• No regular drills conducted
• Expired first aid certifications
• Blocked exits or cluttered hallways
• No communication plan
• Dismissive attitude about emergencies
• Can't answer your questions

Green Flags

Positive signs:

• Detailed, accessible emergency plan
• Staff confidently explain procedures
• Regular drill schedule maintained
• Current certifications for all staff
• Clear exits and evacuation routes
• Robust communication system
• Emergency supplies stocked and current
• Thoughtful answers to your questions

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Your Emergency Checklist

Information to Provide

• [ ] Current cell phone number
• [ ] Current work phone number
• [ ] Current email address
• [ ] All authorized pickup people
• [ ] Emergency contacts (3+ recommended)
• [ ] Medical information for your child
• [ ] Special needs or considerations

Information to Have

• [ ] Daycare's emergency phone number
• [ ] Off-site evacuation location
• [ ] Communication system details
• [ ] Reunification procedures
• [ ] Your child's classroom location
• [ ] Staff names and contacts

At Home

• [ ] Family emergency plan
• [ ] Emergency contacts shared with daycare
• [ ] Plan for picking up child quickly
• [ ] Backup transportation if needed

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Resources

• Ready.gov Childcare Emergency Planning
• Find Daycare Near You
• Daycare Red Flags to Watch For
• Questions to Ask Daycare

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Last updated: December 2025