Tips for Creating an Emergency Backup Child Care Plan
Good Emergency Backup Child Care plans include more than one backup care option.
KWJCCC makes every effort to be open, emergency situations may occur that require the center to have a delayed opening, early closing or to close for an entire day. Additionally, your own personal life events may necessitate emergency backup care. Because of these possibilities, parents need to have a backup plan in place. We recommend that you establish your Emergency Backup Child Care Plan at the same time you make your regular child care arrangements and that you include multiple backup care options.
Some of you work for employers that require you to be at work including working additional hours as needed. Balancing both your child care needs and employer’s expectations can be achieved with a comprehensive Emergency Backup Child Care Plan that can address these “what if” events.
Below are a few tips to help you establish your plan…
When Possible Anticipate Emergencies
Make sure the school has your current telephone number(s) listed in the emergency broadcast system so that you will receive emergency announcements; check the school’s web site (JFKChildCareCenter.org) for school closing, early dismissal and delayed opening information. Also, check Channel 12 News for updates on school closing information. One example of anticipating emergencies during the winter involves checking the weather forecast regularly and when the forecast includes snow make sure you stay updated on the predicted severity of the snow storm. Take early action by deciding which Emergency Backup Child Care Option(s) you will use if your regular child care plan is not available – always have your plan in place just in case.
Share Child Care Responsibilities with Your Partner
If both you and your partner work, establish a plan for sharing emergency backup child care responsibilities such as alternating who takes off from work to care for the children when emergency care is needed.
Create a List of Emergency Caregivers
Create a list of qualified caregivers that might be able to help you out when you need emergency backup child care. Once you have compiled the list of names, make sure you reach out to the people on your list in advance to discuss your needs and find out if they are willing to help you out in emergency situations. It’s a good idea to also find out their general availability (morning/afternoon/evening/weekends/overnight) and the best way to reach them. You may also want to let them know that you are including other people on your list. If your child is not familiar with the people on your list, you may want to arrange a time for them to meet. Keep the list with everyone’s contact information handy. For example you might consider relatives, friends, neighbors, and other parents.
Kid Swap / Play Date / Parent Co-op
Chances are you’re not the only parent in need of emergency backup care options. Most parents today already make play date arrangements for their children. To support your emergency backup care needs, consider creating a Parent Co-op with parents who agree to take turns caring for one another's kids in emergency situations. Consider work-at-home and stay-at-home parents as well as parents who work outside of the home. When you need emergency backup care, have your child spend the day with someone in your Parent Co-op and arrange a date when you will reciprocate. If your co-op includes parents working outside the home and you are affected by the same emergencies, you may need to consider taking alternate days off. Don’t forget to pack a lunch and snacks and establish a set pick-up time before you leave. Also, make sure you provide information on how they can contact you if needed.
Telecommute
If your employer allows telecommuting, you may be able to include this as a possible backup option. However, you will still need to plan ahead. Working from home while caring for young children can be quite challenging and you should to be realistic about your productivity. It may help to strategically plan for a flexible work schedule if possible – consider starting your work day extra early before your child wakes up, plan to get a lot of work done when your child is napping and you may also need to resume work after putting your child to bed for the night. Maybe there’s someone that you’re not quite comfortable leaving your child alone with, but they would be perfect to care for your child in your home when you telecommute – this would allow you time to completely focus on your work. Whenever schools are closed there are likely tons of local teens available.
Good Emergency Backup Child Care plans include more than one backup care option.
KWJCCC makes every effort to be open, emergency situations may occur that require the center to have a delayed opening, early closing or to close for an entire day. Additionally, your own personal life events may necessitate emergency backup care. Because of these possibilities, parents need to have a backup plan in place. We recommend that you establish your Emergency Backup Child Care Plan at the same time you make your regular child care arrangements and that you include multiple backup care options.
Some of you work for employers that require you to be at work including working additional hours as needed. Balancing both your child care needs and employer’s expectations can be achieved with a comprehensive Emergency Backup Child Care Plan that can address these “what if” events.
Below are a few tips to help you establish your plan…
When Possible Anticipate Emergencies
Make sure the school has your current telephone number(s) listed in the emergency broadcast system so that you will receive emergency announcements; check the school’s web site (JFKChildCareCenter.org) for school closing, early dismissal and delayed opening information. Also, check Channel 12 News for updates on school closing information. One example of anticipating emergencies during the winter involves checking the weather forecast regularly and when the forecast includes snow make sure you stay updated on the predicted severity of the snow storm. Take early action by deciding which Emergency Backup Child Care Option(s) you will use if your regular child care plan is not available – always have your plan in place just in case.
Share Child Care Responsibilities with Your Partner
If both you and your partner work, establish a plan for sharing emergency backup child care responsibilities such as alternating who takes off from work to care for the children when emergency care is needed.
Create a List of Emergency Caregivers
Create a list of qualified caregivers that might be able to help you out when you need emergency backup child care. Once you have compiled the list of names, make sure you reach out to the people on your list in advance to discuss your needs and find out if they are willing to help you out in emergency situations. It’s a good idea to also find out their general availability (morning/afternoon/evening/weekends/overnight) and the best way to reach them. You may also want to let them know that you are including other people on your list. If your child is not familiar with the people on your list, you may want to arrange a time for them to meet. Keep the list with everyone’s contact information handy. For example you might consider relatives, friends, neighbors, and other parents.
Kid Swap / Play Date / Parent Co-op
Chances are you’re not the only parent in need of emergency backup care options. Most parents today already make play date arrangements for their children. To support your emergency backup care needs, consider creating a Parent Co-op with parents who agree to take turns caring for one another's kids in emergency situations. Consider work-at-home and stay-at-home parents as well as parents who work outside of the home. When you need emergency backup care, have your child spend the day with someone in your Parent Co-op and arrange a date when you will reciprocate. If your co-op includes parents working outside the home and you are affected by the same emergencies, you may need to consider taking alternate days off. Don’t forget to pack a lunch and snacks and establish a set pick-up time before you leave. Also, make sure you provide information on how they can contact you if needed.
Telecommute
If your employer allows telecommuting, you may be able to include this as a possible backup option. However, you will still need to plan ahead. Working from home while caring for young children can be quite challenging and you should to be realistic about your productivity. It may help to strategically plan for a flexible work schedule if possible – consider starting your work day extra early before your child wakes up, plan to get a lot of work done when your child is napping and you may also need to resume work after putting your child to bed for the night. Maybe there’s someone that you’re not quite comfortable leaving your child alone with, but they would be perfect to care for your child in your home when you telecommute – this would allow you time to completely focus on your work. Whenever schools are closed there are likely tons of local teens available.