Emergency and Safety topics on this page:

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Routine Safety

Grinnell College Preschool makes every effort to keep your child safe. The preschool teacher will complete a safety checklist indoors and outdoors before children arrive at preschool. Upon arrival, each child will be observed by the teacher for signs of illness or injury that could affect his/her ability to participate in the daily activities.

All doors except the south door at the top of the ramp will be kept locked duirng preschool sessions. Please sign your child in and out on the sign-in/-out form as you arrive and leave. If someone different will be picking up or dropping off your child, please notify the Director in writing, the name and date the person will be picking up or dropping off your child. This person may need to present identification if the Grinnell College Preschool staff does not know him/her. A certified copy of any court orders regarding visitation or pick up of your child must be on file in case of a custody situation.

No child will be left unsupervised while he/she is attending preschool. There will be an adult in each of the big rooms and that adult will also visually monitor one of the smaller rooms in the center of the building. An adult will always be in the hallway monitoring the learning centers available in that area.

Fire Safety

Fire extinguishers are installed in the preschool classroom with a tag identifying its annual service date. The fire alarm system is serviced annually. Smoke detector, fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are tested monthly. A written log of these tests is on file with Facilities Management on Grinnell College Campus and are available on request. Fire drills are conducted monthly and recorded on a log sheet.

Physical, Emotional, and Dental Emergencies

The enrollment packet will specify a medical consent form where emergency medical and dental health care should be obtained. Please update this information as needed. If an emergency occurs, the preschool staff will authorize and seek emergency care and make arrangements to get the child to the clinic/hospital if the parent/guardian cannot be reached. This release form does not allow the staff to authorize treatment. The staff will continue to try to contact the parent/guardian. All dental emergencies require that parents and the child’s dentist be contacted.

If your child receives a minor injury at preschool, the staff member will assess the situation and apply first aid as needed. Minor cuts and scrapes will be treated with soap and water and minor bumps will be treated by applying ice to the injured area. The incident will be documented in the incident reporting form and a copy will be given to the family and a copy will be placed in the child’s file.

All staff will have immediate access to the device that allows them to summon help in an emergency. The phone numbers for police, fire, ambulance, hospital, poison control will be posed by each phone. Emergency contact information for each child will be kept readily available. The emergency information is also included in the backpack and is taken on any trip off site. Emergency numbers will be updated quarterly.

Grinnell College Preschool staff is required to wear disposable gloves and to wash their hands after treating injuries. All items exposed to blood will be sealed and discarded immediately in a designated garbage can.

Emergency Procedures and Locations

The Department of Human Services guidelines mandate the performance of fire and tornado drill one time per month. The Grinnell College Preschool also trains staff with all emergency procedures (fire, utility failures, severe weather, bomb threats, physical threats/intruder, evacuations, crisis intervention steps and media procedures, accidental injury or illness, lost child, etc.). These procedures are contained in the Volunteer Handbook. Please contact the director if you have questions about other emergency procedures. Listed below are the procedures practiced in case of emergencies at the preschool:

Fire

Fire escape routes are clearly marked and posted on each exit door. Teachers and children will evacuate the building using the closest exit and meet on the porch of the house immediately to the north of the preschool building. (See diagrams on an exit door of preschool). If there is a child who is not mobile on his/her own, the assistant teacher will be responsible for transporting the child. Children and staff are accounted for by the assistant teacher using class lists contained in the emergency kit, and if necessary because of conditions, proceed to the basement of that house. The director stays in the building to make sure everyone is evacuated. The director then leaves and makes the 911 call and contacts Facilities Management. The families will then be contacted using the emergency phone numbers. The staff and children wait until families are able to pick up their children.

Tornado

Tornado escape routes are clearly marked and posted on each exit door. If very severe weather is impending and / or a tornado warning has been issued, children and staff will evacuate the building and proceed to the basement of the house immediately to the north of the preschool building. (See diagrams on an exit door of preschool). If there is a child who is not mobile on his/her own, the director or assistant teacher will be responsible for transporting the child. Children and staff are accounted for by the assistant teacher using class lists, contained in the emergency kit. The director contacts Facilities Management. The families will then be contacted using the emergency phone numbers. The staff and children wait for the weather conditions to return to normal before returning to preschool and are picked up.

Blizzard or Power Failure

In case of a blizzard or power failure, all children and staff will remain in the preschool building. Children and staff are accounted for by the assistant teacher using the class lists. The director contacts Facilities Management. The director contacts the families using the emergency phone numbers and waits until the children are picked up.

Protection from Hazards and Environmental Health

The teaching staff keeps children and adults protected from hazards (electrical shock, burns, scalding, slipping, tripping or falling). Floor coverings are secured to prevent tripping hazards.

The preschool building has been tested for lead, radon, radiation, asbestos, fiberglass and other hazards that could impact the children’s health. Documentation of this testing is on file at Facilities Management on Grinnell College campus. The water has been tested and is on file at Facilities Management. The maintenance staff maintains the building’s heating, cooling and ventilation systems in compliance with national standards for facility use by children.

The preschool program maintains the facility so it is free from harmful animals, insects or poisonous plants. Pesticides and herbicides, if used, are applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions when children are not present at the facility so children are not exposed to the pesticide or herbicide. The program uses Integrated Pest Management so that the least hazardous means are used to control pests and unwanted vegetation.

Smoke-Free Facility

In compliance with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act of 2008, the Grinnell College Preschool building and grounds are smoke free. A “No Smoking” sign meeting the law’s requirements is posted at the entrance to the preschool to inform people that they are entering a non-smoking place. No smoking is allowed on the school grounds or within sight of any children.

Child Protection Policies

The health and well-being of each child in our preschool is of the utmost importance and the protection of children is our responsibility. Any person with direct contact or interaction with children must submit an affidavit of clearance from any and all crimes against a child. No person with a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect will come in contact with children in the preschool or have responsibility for children.

The preschool program has written policy on reporting child abuse and neglect as well as procedures that comply with federal, state and local laws. The policy includes requirements to report all suspected incidents of abuse and neglect to the local agency. Staff who report suspicions of child abuse or neglect are immune from discharge, retaliation, or other disciplinary actions. All teaching staff complete “Mandatory Reporter: Child and Dependent Adult Abuse” every 5 years and within 6 months of employment.

Grinnell College Preschool does not tolerate employees physically, or sexually abusing or harassing children. Children should report such abuse to parents or staff.

Substance Abuse

Persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted on the grounds of the Grinnell College Preschool.

Volunteers

Parents, grandparents, and other adults are encouraged to take an active role in the educational process of the children. Volunteers must sign an affidavit of clearance from any and all crimes against children. No person with a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect will come in contact with children in the preschool or have responsibility for children. If a volunteer works over 40 hours a month, he/she will need to provide a current health physical, not more than one year old.

Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Information

Section 232.69 of the Iowa Code requires that every employee of a licensed day car or preschool facility, who is in the course of employment reasonably believes a child has suffered sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, shall immediately report the suspected abuse directly to the Department of Human Services.

For complete information, contact the Director at (641) 269-3320.

To report child abuse any time, day or night:

  • 1-800-362-2178 is the statewide toll-free abuse reporting number
  • Poweshiek County Department of Human Services office: (641) 236-3149

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For additional information contact:
Karen Veerhusen-Langerud at veerhuse@grinnell.edu
or (641) 269-3320; 1207 Park Street, Grinnell, IA 50112.

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