Closures due to power outages

[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