Safety First: Emergency Preparedness and Fire Drill Protocols at Our Millwoods Daycare
Nov 7, 2025
When selecting for quality childcare in Edmonton, a parent's primary concern is always safety. At Ideal Daycare & After School Care, we believe that providing a "second home" for your child means being prepared for everything, even the unexpected. Our comprehensive emergency preparedness and fire drill protocols are designed to ensure that every child and staff member knows exactly what to do in a crisis, maintaining a safe and secure environment right here in the heart of Millwoods.
Monthly Evacuation Drills: Practice Makes Perfect
We don't just plan on paper; we put it into action. Evacuation drills are held monthly, ensuring that the process becomes a second nature to both our staff and children.
In the event of a fire or a drill, our procedures are direct:
- Immediate Action: Staff remove children from any immediate danger and close doors to contain the fire.
- Evacuation: Children are guided out of the nearest and safest exits. For the youngest children in our care, infants are placed in cribs (up to three per crib) for a swift and safe evacuation.
- Thorough Checks: Senior staff members are responsible for checking all washrooms and corners to ensure no child is left behind.
- Essential Supplies: On the way out, staff grab an emergency backpack, which contains portable emergency cards and a first aid kit.
- Designated Assembly Points: Like all evacuation plans, we have our group meet on the grass area across the parking lot for an immediate roll call. For extended evacuations, our primary site is St. Richard Elementary School/Park.
Lockdown and "Hold and Secure" Procedures
For situations involving a major incident or threat of violence, we implement a Lockdown Policy and Procedure. These drills are practiced twice a year so that children understand this routine without any fear.
When a lockdown is initiated with the signal "LOCK DOWN" (repeated three times), staff and children move quickly and quietly to the back of the classroom, away from windows. They remain still and quiet while a designated staff member contacts law enforcement. We only return to our normal routines once the "ALL CLEAR" is announced and repeated three times.
Crisis Management and Natural Disasters
Living in Alberta means it is necessary to prepare for extreme weather. Following guidance from Environment Canada and the Red Cross, we have plans for various natural disasters:
- Severe Weather (Tornadoes/Thunderstorms): Our priority is taking shelter in interior rooms, such as the preschool playroom or near the bathrooms.
- Extreme Cold: The cold is unavoidable in Edmonton during winter; we monitor wind chill reports and generally do not take children outside if temperatures fall below -17°C.
- Extreme Heat: Our facility is fully air-conditioned, and we limit outdoor play to early morning or late afternoons during heatwaves, ensuring all children wear hats and sunscreen.
- Area Evacuations: In the event of floods or gas leaks, children are moved as a group to a city-designated reception centre.
Communication and Peace of Mind
During any emergency, communicating with parents/guardians is a top priority. The Director will notify families via email or phone regarding closures or the location of an evacuation centre. We maintain up-to-date portable records for every child to make sure we can reach you or your emergency contacts instantly.
At Ideal Daycare, we strive to be the best home away from home program in Millwoods. Our rigorous safety standards and monthly practices ensure that if an emergency ever occurs, your child is in the hands of trained, calm, and prepared professionals.