No, we do not do ALICE trainings in the traditional sense. However, we DO practice the skills necessary for children to participate in lockdown or evacuation situations without using the language to suggest specific scenarios of intruders or “bad guys.” For instance, we practice sitting quietly and very still, gathering in new spaces, coming quickly when a teacher calls, getting small on the ground, running to a specified location, etc. These skills are practiced during our regular preschool day and can then be put to use in any real time crisis.
SAFETY PLANS:
New Creation Preschool has 2 exits approved by the Kansas State Fire Marshal; one of them includes a hallway that also serves as our “Shelter Hallway” for severe weather or lock down situations. All of the windows in our preschool are equipped with quick-release screens also suitable for evacuation. Staff are equipped with cell phones and a land line located in our Shelter Hallway. Local emergency personnel are aware of our preschool’s location and hours.
All preschool activities take place in the designated classroom space. The sanctuary, pastor’s office, storage rooms, closets, nursery/Ms Kristin’s office and Sunday school room are not used by preschool other than storage, sheltering in place and access to exits. The closet doors adjacent to New Creation Preschool’s classroom are locked and off limits. The basement Sunday School room remains unlocked due to fire code and our needed access to the Shelter Hallway and exit. The nursery/office remains unlocked due to it being a secondary storm shelter. Both the Sunday School room and nursery have window doors providing us with visual access at all times. A gate is in place at the base of the stairs as an extra cue for children to stay in the classroom. All windows are free from adornment. All areas are available for parent/guardian/surveyors to view at any time.
SAFETY PLANS
ALLERGIC REACTION: If a mild reaction is suspected, parent/guardian is called immediately and 1 tsp (5ml) of pediatric Benadryl may be administered per parent/guardian approval. If more than one mild symptom or one severe symptom is observed: epinephrine is administered immediately (if epinephrine is not available, then 1 tsp of Benadryl will be administered), then 911 called, then parent/guardian contacted. Every child with a known allergy has an Action Plan located on file in the kitchen.
EVACUATION: In the case of an emergency that requires evacuation of the building, staff takes children’s records and First Aid kit and assists children through the nearest available exit. Our “Meeting Place” is along the fence of our playground (nearest intersection is SE 3rd and Pine Street). Should we need to evacuate the property within walking distance, we have arrangements to gather on the main floor of the office building at 215 S Pine Street. Should emergency dictate evacuation beyond walking distance, children would be transported by staff/emergency personnel to Newton Medical Center, 600 Medical Center Dr. In all cases, staff ensure that all children are accounted for and parent/guardian are notified.
EXPOSURE: The local health department and local surveyor are contacted if someone who is infected with any communicable disease (chicken pox, COVID-19, streptococcal pharyngitis, rubella, pertussis, mumps, measles, hepatitis A) has been in the facility and will help determine a course of action. While maintaining the confidentiality of any ill child or staff member, parent/guardian are notified of any possible disease exposure. See more Health Safety information here.
FIRST AID/CPR/AED: Any staff counted in the adult child ratio (Kristin and Brenda for 2023-2024) are fully certified in First Aid, Adult and Pediatric CPR and AED. First Aid kits and CPR shields are on site and taken with us when we go outdoors. Parent/guardian are notified when any First Aid action is taken and in the case that a critical incident jeopardizes the safety of any child in care. In the case of injury, first aid is started, 911 is called with any severe bleeding or loss of consciousness and parent/guardian are notified. Any action taken by preschool staff are recorded on the child’s Registration Form and parent/guardian are given written notification.
INTRUDERS/“LOCK DOWN”: Should someone enter New Creation Preschool and staff deems it necessary, children are escorted by Brenda and/or Kristin into the SHELTER HALLWAY (our primary safety exit which is locked from the outside) and a teacher calls 911 while at least other staff remain engaged as appropriate with the intruder. In the event we are outdoors and deem it necessary to “lock down,” one staff member calls 911 while other staff gather children in one of three places: the playhouse, the pavilion, or escorted indoors. Parent/guardian are notified.
LOSS OF SERVICES: If New Creation Preschool loses the use of heat, water or electricity at any time during the day, we will evaluate to see whether care can be provided without undue loss of quality. If safe, quality care cannot be provided under the circumstances, we will notify each family and will remain closed until safe, quality care can be provided.
MEDICATION/TOPICAL PRODUCT: Other than pre-approved emergency use of Benadryl, medication of any kind is not administered during preschool hours. Sunscreen and bug spray must be applied by parent/guardian prior to preschool arrival.
MISSING CHILD: All preschoolers must be supervised at all times by Kristin and/or Brenda. No child is ever left alone and staff do regular checks to make sure all children are accounted for at all times. If a child is unaccounted for, staff quickly checks all areas of the building and property. If the child cannot be found, 911 is called immediately and then parent/guardian are notified.
OUTDOOR SAFETY: We maintain compliance with all regulations according to K.A.R. 28-4-437 including staff equipped with megaphone/voice amplification, cell phones and a first aid kit while outdoors, sheltering indoors during extreme temperatures or lightning/storms in the area and fence gates monitored at all times by teaching staff.
RELEASE: In order to keep your child safe, staff only release a child to persons listed on the enrollment form. If anyone other than the people listed on the enrollment form is to pick up a child, Kristin or Brenda needs to be notified in person, in writing (note, text or email) or by a phone call.
SEVERE WEATHER: In the event of extreme temperatures or lightning, we shelter indoors. In the event of a tornado or severe thunderstorm, staff assist the children to the SHELTER HALLWAY while listening for the ‘all clear’ signal.
VEHICULAR SAFETY: Preschoolers are instructed by staff to stay close to a teacher until dismissed to their parent/guardian. With the parking lots being busy and crowded, we work to make sure that preschoolers do not run out to their grown up without staff’s permission. We know this is a hard rule for young children to follow, please drive mindfully and stay alert for children.
Critical Incident Reports: K.A.R. 28-4-133. Reporting critical incidents. This regulation shall apply to all day care homes, group day care homes, preschools, and child care centers. (a) Reports to parent/guardian and legal guardians. In addition to meeting the reporting requirements in K.A.R. 28-4-127, each primary care provider and each program director shall ensure that each of the following critical incidents is immediately reported to the parent or legal guardian of any child affected by the critical incident: (1) Fire damage or other damage to the facility, or any damage to the property that affects the structure of the facility or the safety of the children in care; (2) a vehicle collision involving any child in care; (3) a missing child; (4) an injury to a child that requires treatment by a health care professional; (5) the death of any of the following: (A) A child; (B) a provider in a day care home or group day care home; (C) an employee.
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