CM Club: I need help with an evacuation plan

[KatyMac]

So about my 2 under 1's & OFSTED

I need an evacuation plan to get a non-sitting baby, a sitting baby and a walking child out

I have a ramp

& I can buy kit

So do I do it by buggy, Pram, evacuation cot or another way?

Anything helpful?

Nurseries use a cot on wheels - they can put at least two babies in that and wheel it out.

Allocate an adult for each baby?

How about one of those Red Wagons - not great for a non-sitting baby though.

Each adult wears a baby in a sling?

How many adults? Only 1, or more?

KatyMac - given that I have seen your cot room, having a cot with wheels on may be the best option. Could you ramp the access to the rear?

Folding buggy?

I do wonder in practice how long it does actually take to put children in an evacuation cot and wheel it out, put children in a buggy and wheel it out etc. May be faster to actually leave a child... dash out with one and come back in again to get the other. Alas that probably isn't permitted!

The rear is ramped

one adult

I thought about a double lie back flat buggy kept in the sleep room or on the deck for both babies & the walker holds on

or smallest baby in a sling & two children in the double

If I put both babies in the evacuation cot would the older one cause a risk to the younger one?

I like the red waggon - sitting & walking in that and baby in sling

TBH getting baby in sling would take the longest

FB said take one out (youngest) & come back for the other 2

Imperial College London Early Years Centre puts 3 babies in their evacuation cot, according to their fire/evacuation policy.

I know I found that

I guess a policy that if anyone was left alone with 2 under 1's the member of staff leaving will ensure that a double (or 4 seater) buggy is left on the rear deck for evacuation.

Yes that is probably sufficient.

If you want to splash some cash, you could sit a Turtle Kiddy Bus on the rear deck, it will take 4 children easily

But no room for any children

to play I mean

KatyMac I have a plastic radio flyer wagon rather than that metal one, its great for days out too

They do look fn - are plastic ones cheaper?

No, much bigger though, 2 proper high back seats with harnesses

my dd

Will this work for OFSTED
Activity:Fire Evacuation:
Hazard:To ensure safe evacuation
Existing Precautions:We have a written fire evacuation plan.
We practise it 6 weekly on different days and at different times of the day.
We have a grab bag & we check the contents monthly.
Additional action required:When working alone ensure a double buggy is available (on deck) so that children under 1 can be safely evacuated.

Plus

Problem:OFSTED raised this issue of fire evacation if we were to have a non-sitting baby, a sitting baby & a toddler.
Action to be taken*Phone the fire Brigade for Fire Safety Advice
*Spoke to Childminding Matters to confirm new procedure
*email OFSTED with New procedure & risk assessment
*add procedure to the main risk assessment & Ad-hoc RA
Action taken*Spoke to Duty Officer confirmed that a buggy would be appropriate to evacuate children (NB he suggested carrying out the children singly)
*Spoke to NGB & emailed new procedure & Risk Assessment to her & TJ (Network co-ordinator)
*Send email to LG (OFSTED) with new procedure & Risk assessment
*Added procedure to main RA & recorded it on Ad-hoc RA

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Just trying to set the scene, are there no other staff whatsoever? In the nursery I work in, in the event of a fire drill, we check the baby room for non-walkers and literally grab a baby each and herd the walkers out of the fire exit lol

Childminders often work by themselves

bump

BTW I have found in my shed a small buggy that can sit between the sofa & the wall -do you think that would work - it would be accessible all the time

bump

I NEED validation

lol, sounds good to me but what do i know

It's silly isn't it - but you lose sight of whether things are going ok or not; if what you do/suggest is reasonable or not

They make me doubt my sanity abilities

I am aware childminders work by themselves, but you don't.

Sometimes I do & sometimes I don't

OFSTED are discussing not letting me (personally) not have 2 babies under 1 when working by myself (school run, staff absence)- I have had 2 babies under 1 for the last 5 yrs (plus) my other staff are still allowed 2 under 1........

So I have been asked to do the Fire evacuation plan

I spent a long time discussing it with a fireman who suggested putting smallest baby on floor just outside the door & getting the others in relays, then moving them to safety in relays - which is what he would do with adults iyswim

This will be a necessity for all childminders in future if they want a new variation for 2 under 1's (as I understand)

OK so final email (hopefully) about the issue

I have practised my drill with the required babies & sent a copy of the report & a form that my staff have signed promising not to leave another employee alone without making sure the buggy is up & available

Fingers crossed & I hope I have done enough