Closures due to power outages

[chenderson]

We lose our power occasionally although it has never happened yet while it was a weekday. But it is supposed to be crazy windy and rainy tonight and lots of power outages are expected. Do I close if the power is out? I know my daughters preschool closed when the power was out and I assume the school would be closed now too if it is out tomorrow. I do not have gas for heat or stove...

[Busy ECE mommy]

When I worked in a centre, if we lost heat or electricity,it was called a "serious occurence" and we would close as soon as we could. The Ministry had to be notified as well, so it was serious. We did not refund parents for early closures that were beyond our control. If you can't find a way to cook for the children, or keep the heat at the minimum Day Nurseries Act temperature, then I would close. Just make sure your parents can pickup quickly part way through the day if necessary,(if you open and it goes out part way through the day).

[5 Little Monkeys]

Same, in the centres I worked at we would close if the power stayed off for a long period of time. I think after 20-30 minutes the parents were called.

It's tough though because you never know how long the power will be off for.

I likely wouldn't close unless it was due to something major. I'd phone the parents and let them know though. Being in a home without power is a bit different than centres. I have blankets, food, water etc that would sustain us for the day.

Good question, I'm interested in reading what others do

[Lee-Bee]

I think I would stay open the day of the power outage (if it happened during daycare hours)...but let parents know at pick up that you will not open the next day unless the power comes back on (and you would contact them if it was on by X time). In a home we have lower numbers and more ways to keep kids warm, they can cuddle on the couch and read stories etc. But if the power is off a second day the house would be cold enough that it wouldn't be comfortable. There is always enough food in the house to feed kids a cold meal. It may not be a normal, well-rounded meal but their tummy's wouldn't be empty.

If the power goes out in the evening in the dead of winter then I would possibly close the next day. But you'd need to get that message to the families and if you and possibly they have no power I would assume you won't get a hold of them all so would need to be prepared to turn them away at the door.

[Rachael]

I've always stayed open. Even in the Winter when I have no power and so no heat.

We had this just a few weeks back. Power went out at night, all my day care parents were without power. Some stayed home, others went to work and dropped their children.

I know our centres tend to close and in-home providers whose water comes from a well tend to close as no power means no flushing toilet so that's a health related issue. I just inform parents and then it's their choice.

[Samantha33]

Busy ECE Mommy, what is the minimum Day Nurseries Act. temp.?

[Busy ECE mommy]

I believe the minimum temp. is 20C(68F) for the DNA

[Rachael]

We don't have a minimum temp in our day care regs. I didn't think we did but just double checked.

[chenderson]

Holy smokes at 20' I'd be freezing!!! Lol

Thanks everyone. I live in a middle townhouse unit and so it doesn't tend to get very cold in our house as is and it's not overly cold outside (like 15' daytime temp) so I feel comfortable being open. I have a small excerpt in my contract about closing due to loss of power, etc. but I think like many of you mentioned it is case by case for home day cares. I only have 2 in addition to mine tomorrow so I'm not overly concerned. I'll charge up \the ipad and my phone for white noise and cross my fingers it doesn't go out at all. :)

[mickyc]

I have stayed open if the power goes out during daycare hours. I take the opportunity to get out the glow sticks and flashlights. kids love it. If it was off for an extended period of time I would call for pickup. If I don't have power my septic pump won't go so can't have kids flushing the toilet too much or use too much water.

[33 Daiseys]

to keep the heat in your home all you have to do is light some candles, food make sandwiches, cut cheese, crackers, fruit, veg. We were with ut power 3 times last year, the longest being 5 hours. All of my dcks know what a candle is, and how to behave around them. we oftern light candles just for the heck of it.

[daycaremom9]

We lose our power occasionally although it has never happened yet while it was a weekday. But it is supposed to be crazy windy and rainy tonight and lots of power outages are expected. Do I close if the power is out? I know my daughters preschool closed when the power was out and I assume the school would be closed now too if it is out tomorrow. I do not have gas for heat or stove...

I Believe Fraser Health requires us to close in the event of a power outage. I tell my parents that we have to close just as the schools are required to do. I think I would charge if it happened part way through the day but not if I was closed from my usual opening. We're not allowed to use candles either.

[33 Daiseys]

what do you mean about the candles??? I use tea lights in the little tea light holders that you can get for 3 dollars at ikea. What I was told from the fire marshal was that the candle has to be enclosed, so that if it falls it won't start a fire.

[Rachael]

what do you mean about the candles??? ....

I think daycaremom9's comment stating "We're not allowed to use candles either." was in direct response to yours where you said this...with no mention that candles = tea lights, which are very different in terms of safety.


to keep the heat in your home all you have to do is light some candles, food make sandwiches..

[daycaremom9]

I was responding to the use of candles. I'm not really sure how licensing would feel about tea lights.

[Elly]

Ontario Hydro is planning to upgrade in our area. I was just informed that they plan to shut off the power for the whole day on November 12. I will definitely inform the parents, but I'm not sure if I should even open that day. Any suggestions??

[Lee-Bee]

Children aren't as inept as many like to make them out to be. While candles can be dangerous they can also be perfectly safe when used properly. I used to work in a Waldorf daycare and part of our meal process was to light a candle and at the end of the meal the children took turns snuffing it out with the candle snuffer (the lighting and snuffing was to song that started and ended our meals). Not sure if the toddler program did this but we definitely did it with the 4yrs and up groups. The children learned that a candle was something to monitor and be mindful of.

[playfelt]

Elly what part of Ottawa are you in. I would let parents know and let them know what your plan is. Since it will be daytime hours for care unless you have only a basement playroom then you should be able to manage on daylight alone. Maybe not have activities such as crafts or book reading that require more precise movements and would strain the eyes without direct lighting but general play will be fine. Plan a cold plate of cubed ham, crackers, cheese, fruit, etc. and make it a party atmosphere to offset the dreariness of the day. There are battery operated tealights very cheap and would give light to darker areas if you are concerned about candles. Always a good idea to have a batch of flashights on hand for unplanned outages anyways and stood on a shelf they light up a large area.

Also if it is a planned outage it likely effects a large enough area that the children's homes would be effected too so closing really doesn't change life for the kids.

[33 Daiseys]

I'm not with an agency, and under my insurance rider, as log as the candles are encased , then it is not a problem

[33 Daiseys]

Children aren't as inept as many like to make them out to be. While candles can be dangerous they can also be perfectly safe when used properly. I used to work in a Waldorf daycare and part of our meal process was to light a candle and at the end of the meal the children took turns snuffing it out with the candle snuffer (the lighting and snuffing was to song that started and ended our meals). Not sure if the toddler program did this but we definitely did it with the 4yrs and up groups. The children learned that a candle was something to monitor and be mindful of.

Thank you for you common sense:)

[Elly]

Elly what part of Ottawa are you in. I would let parents know and let them know what your plan is. Since it will be daytime hours for care unless you have only a basement playroom then you should be able to manage on daylight alone. Maybe not have activities such as crafts or book reading that require more precise movements and would strain the eyes without direct lighting but general play will be fine. Plan a cold plate of cubed ham, crackers, cheese, fruit, etc. and make it a party atmosphere to offset the dreariness of the day. There are battery operated tealights very cheap and would give light to darker areas if you are concerned about candles. Always a good idea to have a batch of flashights on hand for unplanned outages anyways and stood on a shelf they light up a large area.

Also if it is a planned outage it likely effects a large enough area that the children's homes would be effected too so closing really doesn't change life for the kids.

I'm in the west end near College Square. I was just informed today, they were going to replace the hydro poles behind my house. Using large cranes with street closures. I decided today to close for the day without charge. I have one who's very afraid of trucks, and another who can't get enough of them:) The parents are fine with it. The power is off from 7:30-5:30, so I guess I'll be camping out at Timmies:) Thanks for all the suggestions!

[Lee-Bee]

I'm in the west end near College Square. I was just informed today, they were going to replace the hydro poles behind my house. Using large cranes with street closures. I decided today to close for the day without charge. I have one who's very afraid of trucks, and another who can't get enough of them:) The parents are fine with it. The power is off from 7:30-5:30, so I guess I'll be camping out at Timmies:) Thanks for all the suggestions!

Sometimes these scenerios just become a good way to take a well earned day off! Sure you could make it through the day by getting creative and winging it without power. But, parents can be pretty understanding as to why you choose to close when you have no power...so it doubles as a good mini break to come back refreshed!

Hope you enjoy your relaxing day off at Timmies!!