Outside Program
Children coming in from outside must have a teacher coming in with them OR in the event that no teacher can go in, the children (in a buddy system) must be received by a teacher inside. It is understood that staff will never be alone with one child. If a child must go in, a second child will be requested to go with him/her. Staff will use the walkie talkies to communicate that children are entering or exiting the building. No child(ren) will be sent into the building without being received by a staff member.
When children are temporarily missing
If the children leave the program room and have not returned within 3-4 minutes, a teacher will be sent to check on the children. If the children are still in the washroom or getting materials, the teacher will continue to monitor until the child returns.
If the children have not returned and are not where they are supposed to be (i.e. in the washroom) AND are missing for more than 5 minutes, the following procedures will be followed:
- All staff will be alerted that the child(ren) are missing
- The child care premises including outdoor areas
- The adjacent school will also be searched.
- A staff member who is not searching the premises will immediately alert the child’s parents (in the event parents have additional information about child’s whereabouts)
- If the child(ren) is/are temporarily missing but found (if they return after the search) a serious occurrence must be filed
- If the child(ren) are still missing after a quick search of the premises and the staff does not know where the child/children are Police are to be called. A serious occurrence must also be filed.