Policy & Procedures Manual March 2021

Emergency and evacuation situations in early education and care services may arise for a variety of reasons, often suddenly and unexpectantly. It is vital that if an emergency situation arises, staff are confident to manage the situation effectively and efficiently, maintaining the safety and wellbeing of children, families and visitors. Ensuring that educators and children know what to do in an emergency situation requires vigilant planning and practice. Regularly practicing the drills for emergency situations also provides an opportunity to help support and build on children’s coping mechanisms and resilience. Purpose Our Centre has a duty of care to maintain the safety and wellbeing of each child, educator, and all persons using or visiting the Centre during an emergency or evacuation situation. We are committed to identifying risks and potential hazards of emergency and evacuation situations by conducting thorough risk assessments on an annual basis and continually plan for further risk minimisation and improvement to our policy and procedures. Implementation We define an emergency as an unplanned, sudden or unexpected event or situation that requires immediate action to prevent harm, injury, or illness to persons, or damage to the Centre’s premises. Emergency situations may pose a risk to an individual’s health and safety. It is important that Centres identify potential emergencies that may be specific to their location and environment.

An emergency is any event, situation or event where there is an imminent or severe risk to the health, safety or wellbeing of children at the Centre. (Guide to the NQF)

Circumstances under which an emergency evacuation will occur may include:

Fire within the building or playground

Fire in the surrounding area where the Centre may be in danger

Flood

Cyclone, severe storm or dust storm or other natural weather event

Dangerous animal, insect or reptile

Terrorist threat

Other circumstances may include: o Gas explosion, traffic accident, or any event which could render the building unsafe (eg: earthquake).

To ensure compliance with National Regulations, our Centre will ensure that:

Emergency and evacuation policies and procedures are available for inspection at the Centre’s premises at all times

The Nominated Supervisor will conduct an annual risk assessment to identify potential emergencies that are relevant to the Centre

Consideration is made to evacuate infant/s and non-ambulant children evacuating the premises resulting in enhanced ratios

Emergency evacuation plans are displayed in prominent positions near each exit at the Centre premises including both the indoor and outdoor learning areas

Emergency evacuation plans include a floor plan for ease of reference with clearly defined assembly points and clearly marked exit routes from all locations within the Centre

All exits have exit signs clearly visible

There are no obstructions in hallways, stairways or emergency exits

All educators, including casual/relief educators and staff members, are familiar with our Emergency Evacuation Policy, procedures and regulatory requirements

Emergency Evacuation Policy

Policy & Procedures Manual March 2021

New staff, volunteers and students are provided with information and training about our Emergency Evacuation Policy and procedures during induction

All staff, visitors and students are aware of emergency evacuation points and assembly areas

Staff are trained how to use emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, hoses etc.

National Regulations state that emergency evacuation rehearsals (drills) are to be practiced and reviewed every three months by the responsible person, all staff members, volunteers, and children present on the day.

Each time a planned emergency evacuation drill is performed it is to be timed and documented in the Emergency Evacuation Rehearsal Record.

After reflection, notes on any areas that need improving or revising are to be documented in the Emergency Evacuation Rehearsal Record. Educators will discuss and implement strategies to make continuous improvement to procedures which will be documented in the Centre’s Staff Meeting minutes and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).

Children are provided with age-appropriate support and information before, during and after emergency and evacuation rehearsals (drills)

All staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in event of an emergency situation

Regular communication with families includes information about emergency and evacuation procedures

Each room has an Emergency Evacuation Bag located in a prominent position

Emergency Evacuation Bags are regularly audited and restocked as required

An up-to-date register of emergency telephone numbers for children is maintained. A copy of the current list will always be available in the Emergency Evacuation Bag

Portable First Aid Kits are readily available in case of an emergency evacuation

at least one staff member or one Nominated Supervisor who holds current ACEQCA approved first aid qualifications, approved anaphylaxis management and emergency asthma management training is in attendance at all times

Medical Management Plans for children are able to be accessed easily

Children’s medication is collected during an evacuation

All fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire hoses, and other emergency equipment located throughout the Centre will be inspected and tested at six monthly intervals by an authorised company as per the Australian Safety Standard AS 1851-2012: Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment.

Extinguishers will be emptied, pressure tested, and refilled every five years

All tests performed on emergency equipment and the date on which it was tested will be recorded on a label or metal tag attached to the unit. Certificates to verify testing will be filed.

Ensure smoke detectors are regularly tested and batteries replaced annually

Staff and educators have access to an operating telephone or other means of communication at all times (mobile phone)

Emergency telephone numbers will be displayed prominently throughout the Centre in the kitchen, office, staff room and each area where children are educated and cared for.

Our emergency telephone list (located next to the telephone) includes the numbers for: o Police o Local fire station o State Emergency Services (SES)

The Nominated Supervisor is responsible for:

Identifying the risks and threats that could produce an emergency situation. They will conduct a risk assessment to identify potential emergencies that could affect our centre and use this to prepare emergency and evacuation procedures. An evacuation may be necessary in the event of a fire, chemical spill, bomb scare, earthquake, siege, flood etc. Local emergency centres will be consulted for advice including local fire centres, police, ambulance, local government, community leaders and other relevant agencies. The advice will include information about evacuation routes and assembly points. We will use the risk assessment template in the Guide to Developing an Emergency Management Plan to identify and assess potential risks.

Developing the EMP.

Policy & Procedures Manual March 2021

Ensuring the EMP can be easily identified and is accessible.

Ensuring that the required regulation number of fire hoses, extinguishers and fire blankets installed throughout the premises.

Ensuring that visitors and relief staff are aware of the emergency response procedures.

Implementing the EMP including: o Disseminating information about the EMP and the procedures relating to emergency management

and evacuation to staff, children, visitors and families. Families will receive written notification from the centre. We will use informal games and discussions to familiarise children with our evacuation and emergency procedures.

o Scheduling training for all educators, staff and volunteers. This will include ensuring educators are provided with training on how to use fire extinguishers, fire blankets and other emergency equipment

o Testing the EMP every quarter o Reviewing the EMP annually.

Keeping records of all emergencies.

Keeping records of meetings.

Our centre will use the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development EMP template.

The fire evacuation procedure is practiced regularly throughout the year, in accordance with requirements specified in Education and Care Services National Regulations.

Any Emergency Phone 000 from Mobile Phone: 112 Emergency and Evacuation Procedure Guidelines

The Nominated Supervisor will make the final call to whether to evacuate the premises due to an emergency situation

Contact 000 for local emergencies- provide name, address and nearest cross street, reason for evacuation, phone contact number, number of children and adults evacuating

Guidance will be provided by the relevant emergency service (Fire service, SES, Police)

Move all children and visitors to identified evacuation/emergency assembly area as indicated on the Emergency and Evacuation Plan

Collect Emergency Evacuation Bag, Medical Management Plans and associated children’s medication

Collect First Aid Kit

Check daily attendance record and visitor record

Once children are safely evacuated, administer first aid if required

Remain calm and reassure children

Once emergency services arrive, contact parents/emergency contacts

Await instructions from relevant emergency services for re-entering premises or alternative evacuation procedure

Important: Following the emergency evacuation, the educator will complete an Emergency Evacuation Incident Report and an Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Record. The approved provider will make a notification of a serious incident to a regulatory authority (within 24 hours) through the NQA IT System when emergency services have attended an education and care service in response to an emergency, rather than as a precaution or for any other reason. Evacuation Procedure In the event that the centre needs to be evacuated, we aim to conduct this in a rehearsed, timely, calm and safe manner to secure the safety of each person using the centre. The safety and wellbeing of each child, educator and person using the centre is paramount above any other consideration in the time of an emergency or evacuation. Any other procedures will be carried out only if it is safe to do so. An evacuation may be necessary in the event of a fire, chemical spill, bomb scare, earthquake, siege, flood etc. The meeting point will be FOLETTA PARK 68-74 GLENLYON ROAD, BRUNSWICK. The educator will follow evacuation

Policy & Procedures Manual March 2021

procedure as outline below: BLOW WHISTLE TO INDICATE AN EMERGENCY IS IN PLACE AND CALL OUT EMERGENCY PROCEDURE CODE The following procedures were designed specifically by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade to meet operational emergency evacuation requirements. It must be remembered that there may be a number of emergencies other than fire in the childcare centre that could necessitate an evacuation. For example: Procedure:

UPON DISCOVERY or NOTIFICATION OF FIRE – Blow the whistle and call out Emergency Procedure Code to alert all children, staff, visitors and parents of the emergency:

All Educators in each room shall: o Raise the alarm immediately by blowing a whistle and call out Emergency Procedure Codes. The

whistle will be sounded until it is confirmed that everybody has heard it and commenced evacuation (Whistles are located in each Room near Evacuation Procedures)

o Telephone the Fire Brigade on 000. o Immediately move all children from the building of the emergency to the external evacuation

assembly point (see Evacuation map for assembly point), using evacuation cots for Tiny Tots Room (0-2yrs), taking attendance book, gate keys and collect any emergency medication e.g. Epi Pens, asthma medication, etc for children in attendance. All effort must be made to keep the children together during the evacuation.

o DO NOT collect children’s belongings or put shoes on etc, our priority is to exit the building with the children safely.

o Educators are to check all areas of the room are empty and close all windows and doors (including bathrooms, cot rooms, art rooms, storerooms) as your leave.

o Ensure that family members and visitors within your room follow your direction to evacuate with your group to the designated assembly point.

o Once assembled at the external evacuation assembly point, mark off each child in your care once you have accounted for them, on the attendance book.

o Ensure all staff is accounted for/ assist other rooms where possible. Any Educators that are on breaks, programming or study need to return to their rooms ASAP and assist staff to evacuate children.

Nominated Supervisor’s Role:

Ring 000 as soon as possible

Collect educator sign in book, a phone, emergency box and backpack.

Check Toilet, Kitchen, Bathroom, Playrooms, and Committee Room.

Follow children and other educators to designated area.

Oversee and check attendances of children, educators, volunteers, families and visitors.

Supervise and reassure children. Role of Educators:

Immediately when the alarm sounds, educators will return to the group with which they are working if it is safe to do so. Educators will then assist with the evacuation.

Educators are to ensure that sign in/out rolls remain in the vicinity of that particular group of children at all times and if evacuation is required that the Educators collect that roll and the Emergency Bag and commence the process of evacuating children.

After the alarm has been raised, group children and evacuate through the nearest exit to the designated safe area with the children’s sign in/out roll and Emergency Bag.

Educator to call roll and settle children.

Supervise and reassure children. The Cooks Role:

Policy & Procedures Manual March 2021

Turn off stove/oven and appliances

Check kitchen (close door when leaving area), laundry, and staff room, Committee Room and toilets.

Assist Tiny Tots Room 0-2 years with evacuation. Assembly Areas: Two assembly areas have been selected:

Backyard & Front Yards depending on location of the Emergency

Complete Evacuation to Foletta Park – 68-74 Glenlyon Rd,

Policy & Procedures Manual March 2021

Policy & Procedures Manual March 2021

ergency Procedure Codes

Red

Fire or Smoke Upon receiving notification of the emergency.

Attention all staff CODE RED (and location)

Orange

Evacuation If the Chief Warden requests an Evacuation

Attention all staff CODE ORANGE, evacuate to (assembly area)

Black

Police Assistance (Personal Threat)

Attention all staff CODE BLACK (and location)

Purple

Bomb Threat

Attention all staff CODE PURPLE (and location)

Yellow

(Gas leak, burst water – flood, foul odour, hazardous materials leakage)

Attention all staff CODE YELLOW (and location)

Brown

External Emergency (Earthquake, neighbouring premises incident, flood)

Attention all staff CODE BROWN (and location)

Blue

Medical Emergency Attention all staff CODE BLUE (and location)

Green

All Clear Given when the Chief Warden confirms the Emergency has been cleared

Attention all staff CODE GREEN (and location)

Remember:

Educator’s to note where exit gate keys are located in the 3-5 Rm & Bin storage area.

In case of an outside threat or Lock Down disarm the parent security code entry. Lock the door and assemble children, educator’s students/volunteers in a safe room.

All educator and parents on duty should familiarize themselves with these procedures and the written fire procedure displayed throughout the childcare centre. The fire orders indicate the available exit routes and the direction to travel to the assembly areas.

Jurisdiction specifications for each state

Community Child Care Association - www.pscvic.org.au

Country Fire Authority Victoria – www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development - www.education.vic.gov.au/licensedchildservices

Department of Health – www.health.vic.gov.au

Department of Human Services – www.dhs.vic.gov.au

WorkSafe Victoria – www.worksafe.vic.gov.au

Victoria Police – www.police.vic.gov.au

Victoria State Emergency Service – www.ses.vic.gov.au

Policy & Procedures Manual March 2021

Dealing with Trauma Emergencies and natural disasters are extremely stressful, and it is normal for children and adults to feel overwhelmed and distressed. People cope with trauma in many different ways. Children look to adults for reassurance, care and opportunities to share their feelings. It is important for educators to understand the impact of disasters and seek help when needed. The Approved Provider/Nominated Supervisor will support educators to provide information to parents and families following any emergency or natural disaster including:

Will the Centre be open in the days and weeks ahead?

How to find alternative care and education

How to contact services for support with dealing with trauma Several organisations offer support for educators in these situations:

Emerging Minds

BeYou- Trauma informed practice

Source: Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. (2014). Australian Government Department of Education,

Skills and Employment (2020). Help in an emergency Australian Government – Emergency Services: http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/public-safety-and-law/emergency-services Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics. (2016). Education and Care Services National Regulations. (2011). Fire Protection Association Australia: www.fpaa.com.au/ Fire System Services: http://www.firesys.com.au/Fire-Extinguisher-Service-and-Maintenance-pg14686.html Guide to the Education and Care Services National Law and the Education and Care Services National Regulations. (2017). Guide to the National Quality Framework (2017). (Amended 2020). Revised National Quality Standard. (2018). Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Date Implemented: 16/04/2012 Review Completed: 22/3/2021 Schedule for Review: 22/3/2022 Authorised by COM: Nov 2020

National Quality Standard – NQS

Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety

2.2 Safety Each child is protected

2.2.1 Supervision At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard

2.2.2 Incident and emergency management

Plans to effectively manage incidents and emergencies are developed in consultation with relevant authorities, practiced and implemented.

Education and Care Service National Regulations

97 Policies and procedures in relation to emergency and evacuation

98 Emergency and evacuation procedures

168 Telephone or other communication equipment

168(2)(e) Policies and procedures in relation to emergency and evacuation

Early Years Learning Framework

Learning Outcome 3 - Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

3.1 Children become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing.