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.