Ways to Be Prepared
Disasters happen in all communities and they are becoming increasingly severe. The best way to protect your early care and education program is to prepare for emergencies before they happen.
Being prepared before a disaster happens will make it easier for everyone to cope and recover during and after an emergency. Emergencies often happen suddenly and can be devastating to programs and communities. Everyone who sees or experiences an emergency is affected by it in some way. Profound sadness, grief, and anger are normal reactions during or after an emergency. Everyone has different needs and different ways of coping. Difficult memories of the disaster can be triggered by certain loud noises, weather events, or news clips from the emergency. This may be true even years later. Emergency preparedness is the process of taking steps to ensure your early childhood education program is safe before, during, and after an emergency.
The Emergency Preparedness Manual
Use this manual to help early childhood education programs in making a plan that will help keep their program, center, or home safe during an emergency.
Introducing the Emergency Preparedness Manual for Early Childhood Programs
In this webinar, learn how to use the Emergency Preparedness Manual for Early Childhood Programs. Explore how to develop emergency plans to keep children, families, and staff safe if disaster strikes.
Emergency Preparedness Manual for Early Childhood Programs
Programs can use this manual as a guide for their emergency planning process. No matter the crisis, early childhood programs need to be ready with impact, relief, and recovery plans. Find the latest tools and resources to support children, families, and communities before, during, and after an emergency.
About Psychological First Aid (PFA)
Learn about Psychological First Aid, an evidence-informed approach to help children, adolescents, adults, and families after a disaster or act of terrorism. Find resources, including a field operations guide and handouts, to help survivors in the immediate aftermath.
Preparing for Tornado Season
Tornadoes can happen at any time, but they are most likely to occur in the spring and summer months. Tornadoes may cause extensive damage to structures and disrupt transportation, power, water, gas, and communications in its direct path and in neighboring areas. Use this resource to prepare your program for tornado season.
Planning for Winter Emergencies
Programs in areas that experience extreme cold should have a plan for handling winter emergencies. Find tips you can use to prepare for emergencies such as frostbite, hypothermia, and loss of power.
Cold Weather Safety
Children are more vulnerable to the effects of cold weather than adults. Use these tips to help Head Start parents and staff keep children safe, healthy, and warm in the winter.
Summer Safety Tips
Find resources on learning weather limits. Explore tips to share with families on applying sunscreen and insect repellent, staying hydrated, and playground and water safety.
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Last Updated: June 28, 2023