Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Certification Policy Manual
The process of developing and maintaining emergency plans, and regularly reviewing and practicing of those plans, makes it more likely child care programs will be equipped to protect children when a disaster strikes. The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act requires states to establish health and safety standards that protect children in the event of an emergency. The Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care web page is intended to assist child care providers in the development of emergency preparedness and response plans that comply with state health and safety standards under DCF 202.08(4m).
The web page includes planning guides, sample manuals, videos, and webinars that address a variety of emergency situations such as weather, utility failure, nearby police incidents or hazardous material emergencies, emergencies related to allergic reactions, etc. DCF has also created a template called “Policy Sample – Emergency Plan Regulated Child Care” and may be used by licensed and certified family child care providers. The plan template outlines suggestions for how to prepare for an emergency and provides space for the provider to add specific details related to their response to an emergency.
Certification workers review operator’s plans to ensure they address the requirements under (4m) and may offer technical assistance, if needed. Certification workers are not responsible for “approving the plans” but, rather, ensuring they meet the minimal requirements. A certification worker may not be able to observe the provider practice their emergency response/drills but may ask provider to walk them through their emergency response procedures as part of their monitoring activities.
This page last updated 10/2024.