Policy Content

Under the Education and Care Services National Regulations, an approved provider must ensure that policies and procedures are in place for emergency and evacuation and take reasonable steps to ensure policies and procedures are followed. (ACECQA, 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.  
 

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.

QUALITY AREA 7: Governance and Leadership

7.1.2	Management Systems	Systems are in place to manage risk and enable the effective management and operation of a quality service.
7.1.3	Roles and responsibilities	Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, and understood, and support effective decision-making and operation of the service.

 

Purpose 

Our School has a duty of care to maintain the safety and wellbeing of each child, educator, and all persons using or visiting the School 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. 
 

Scope 

This policy applies to children, families, staff, management and visitors of the School. 
 

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 School’s premises. Emergency situations may pose a risk to an individual’s health and safety. It is important that Schools 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 School.  
(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 Service 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: gas explosion, traffic accident, or any event which could render the building unsafe (eg: earthquake). 

 
To ensure compliance with National Regulations and National Law, our School will ensure that: 

• emergency and evacuation policies and procedures are available for inspection at the School’s premises at all times  
• the Approved Provider will conduct an annual risk assessment to identify potential emergencies that are relevant to the School 
• relevant stakeholders/authorities are consulted for advice and guidance to improve risk mitigation strategies as part of our emergency and evacuation plan (police, fire, parents/families)  
• consideration is made to evacuate infant/s and non-ambulant children evacuating the premises resulting in enhanced ratios  
• additional consideration is made for Schools operating in multi-storey buildings (assembly areas, lifts not being used, stairwells, non-ambulant children, staffing implications, supervision) [Reg. 97(4)] 
• emergency rehearsals should involve other building tenants and building manager (if applicable) 
• emergency evacuation plans are displayed in prominent positions near each exit at the School premises including both the indoor and outdoor learning areas 
• the emergency and evacuation procedures include instructions for what must be done in the event of an emergency 
• 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 School 
• 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 and Evacuation Policy, procedures and regulatory requirements 
• new staff, volunteers and students are provided with information and training about our Emergency and 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. 
• spontaneous rehearsals also take place during the year to assist in refining risk management procedures and evacuation procedures 
• a record will be kept ensuring that all children participate in the emergency evacuation rehearsal at least 4 times per year. 
• each time a planned or spontaneous 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 School’s Staff Meeting minutes and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP). 
• in the event of limited educators (e.g., early morning or late afternoon), staff members are to work together to perform the duties as per the evacuation plan (the roster must include a Responsible Person being on the premises at all times to take responsibility and delegate duties). This scenario will be discussed and documented in the School’s Staff Meeting Minutes (WHS). 
• 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 
• families are informed when a rehearsal or drill has occurred 
• 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 School 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 School 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: 
  • Police 
  • Ambulance 
  • Local fire station 
  • Rural Fire Service 
  • State Emergency Services (SES) 
  • the school will have a register or roll for the week ahead - this is to prevent any technology defaults and make sure that we can always headcount the children. Paper rolls will be given to the studios at the start of each week this includes the phone numbers of parents again if there is a technology default this will help us to contact parents in case of emergency. 

Families will: 

• ensure contact details are kept up-to-date 
• provide emergency contact details on their child’s enrolment form and advise the service of any change of name or phone number 
• ensure the attendance record for their child is completed each day 
• ensure they are aware of the service’s Emergency and Evacuation Policy and Procedures 
• follow the directions of the Approved Provider/Incident Manager in the event of an emergency or evacuation

Emergency and Evacuation Procedure Guidelines

Emergency and Evacuation Procedure Guidelines should include who is responsible for the implementation of each step
As per regulation 97, the emergency and evacuation procedures must set out - 

1. instructions for what must be done in the event of an emergency; and  
2. an emergency and evacuation floor plan

• Emergency and Evacuation Procedure Guidelines should include who is responsible for the implementation of each step
• the Nominated Supervisor/Approved Provider 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

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 service 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 

 

Resources

Preparing for an emergency: 
Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment Resources 
dese.gov.au/child-care-package/ccp-resour... 
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology bom.gov.au/ 
Jurisdiction Specifications for Each State:

WESTERN AUSTRALIA (WA)

Department of Fire and Emergency Services: dfes.wa.gov.au  State Emergency Service: dfes.wa.gov.au/aboutus/operationalinformatio...  WA Police: police.wa.gov.au

 

Source 

Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. (2014).  
Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. (2021). Policy and procedure guidelines- Emergency and evacuation guidelines. 
Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (2020). Help in an emergency 
Australian Government – Emergency Services: australia.gov.au/information-and-services/publ... 
Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics. (2016). 
Education and Care Services National Regulations. (2011).      
Fire Protection Association Australia: fpaa.com.au/ 
Fire System Services: firesys.com.au/Fire-Extinguisher-Service-and... 
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). 
NSW Rural Fire Service: rfs.com.au 
Revised National Quality Standard. (2018). 
Work Health and Safety Act 2011.