---
title: Steps Child Care Programs Can Take to Feel Prepared for Any Emergency
description: Child care providers are more prepared than most for many types of emergencies. These tips will help you feel more in control before & during emergencies.
image: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/emergency-plans-blog.jpg
---

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# Steps Child Care Programs Can Take to Feel Prepared for Any Emergency

 January 14, 2021

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You may have seen reports of potential violence across the country leading up to the Presidential inauguration on January 20. We have heard from child care providers concerned about their program safety, the safety of their families and staff, and whether they should remain open for the next several days. 

Emergency threats (whether they are caused by human behavior, extreme weather or viruses) may make you feel out of control and increase feelings of fear and anxiety. Your feelings are valid. Remember – emergencies can happen at any time, so we’d like to help you take some steps to feel more prepared and ready for any type of emergency.

Child care programs ensure the safety of children day in and day out. Providers ensure that children receive healthy food, practice emergency drills and focus on safe environments every day. Because child care providers are experts in early childhood well-being, they are better prepared than most for many types of emergency events.

One integral part of preparedness is awareness. It is important that everyone is aware of their surroundings and the potential hazards they face. Situational awareness can be defined simply as “knowing what is going on around us.”

 

### Focus on what you can control:

- Communicate your emergency plans with families and staff, including plans for:

Taking proactive preparedness steps, in advance of an emergency, can help you take control of many types of situations. Child Care Aware® of America’s Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery team recommends that child care emergency plans be reviewed periodically, at least each year, to ensure that they are up-to-date, match the needs of children currently enrolled and are communicated to families and staff. Now is a good time to consider potential actions that you may need to take in an emergency and ensure that your plan is updated and communicated well.

In summary, you can ensure the safety of those around you by recognizing local threats or events and following guidance from your local first responders and emergency management officials to ensure program safety, while also practicing self-care and addressing the social-emotional needs of the children, families and staff in your care.

 

**Additional Resources: **

- [Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events](https://www.childcareaware.org/our-issues/crisis-and-disaster-resources/caregiver-and-ccrr-tools-publications-and-resources/helping-children-understand-and-cope-with-disasters/)
- [Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event](https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/age_related_reactions_to_traumatic_events.pdf)
- [Emergencies and National Disasters: Helping Children and Families Cope](https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/emergency/index.html)

 Topics: [Best Practices](https://info.childcareaware.org/blog/tag/best-practices), [Health & Safety](https://info.childcareaware.org/blog/tag/health-safety), [emergency preparedness](https://info.childcareaware.org/blog/tag/emergency-preparedness)

![Holly Nett](https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/edinstudios.com-989.jpg)

### Written by [Holly Nett](https://info.childcareaware.org/blog/author/holly-nett)

Holly Nett serves as the Director of Child Care Emergency Partnerships and has been with Child Care Aware® of America for the past nine years. She has a primary focus on bridging the gap between the emergency preparedness, response, and recovery industry and child care programs. She also develops and delivers emergency preparedness training and technical assistance focused on business continuity, disaster plan development, and helping children and caregivers deal with the social/emotional aftermath of a disaster to Child Care Resource & Referral teams and child care program staff across the nation.

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