Lockdown Policy NQS QA2 2.3.3 Plans to effectively manage incidents and emergencies are developed in consultation with relevant authorities, practised and implemented. National Regulations Reg 168(2)(e) Policies and procedures in relation to emergency and evacuation 97 Emergency and evacuation procedures 98 Telephone or other communication equipment Aim The Lockdown Policy aims to ensure the safety of all children, educators, families and other visitors to the service in the event of a threat. Also, the service aims to minimise the risk of harm or the exposure to danger to anyone on the premises through the implementation of this procedure. Related Policies Death of a Child Policy Child Protection Policy Emergency Management and Evacuation Policy Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Policy Implementation Examples of such critical incidents are: Death of a child at the service or on an excursion. Children/educators being taken hostage. A siege of service property. A disaster in the local community/ Severe Weather Unusual amounts of media attention. Aggressive trespassers./ Public Nuisance
Initial Notification If an event takes place that requires a "Lock Down", the following should occur: The educator who witnesses the event or issue must try to raise an alarm with the most senior person in charge. 000 must be called immediately if the event or issue requires the police, ambulance or fire service to respond. The most senior person in charge will determine the need for a "Lock Down" and raise the appropriate alarm. Alarm Procedure The service bell will sound every 5 seconds for a one minute period. The supervisor on duty will sound the bell and make the following announcement This is a LOCK DOWN This is not a fire drill Everyone is to stay in the room, remain seated and to keep calm and quiet. Movement of Children and Educators All persons will remain in their rooms. If possible, educators will make efforts to seal and lock classroom doors and windows. Children should remain out of sight during the lockdown period, blinds will be drawn. If children are outside, educators should get them inside as quickly as possible. Educators Responsibilities: Person in charge to contact Emergency Services and follow their instructions. Educators not involved in the lockdown or without children to supervise are to go to the front of the service to liaise with Emergency Services if it is safe to do so. Educators must check the sign-in sheet and check all signed-in children are present. Any absences must be reported to the Nominated Supervisor as soon as it is safe. Educators are to close and lock all doors and windows, turn the lights off and ensure children are kept below the window level. All educators, children and anyone else present will remain in the locked room until the All Clear Signal is given by the person in charge.
All Clear Signal The All Clear Signal is as follows: The supervisor on duty will ring the bell for 5 seconds. The supervisor on duty will then say, The Lock Down has now ended. Everyone follow me and the educators in an orderly manner. Sources National Quality Standard Education and Care Services National Regulations Review The policy will be reviewed annually. The review will be conducted by: Management Employees - Families - Interested Parties Last reviewed: May 2013 Date for next review: May 2014 Nominated Supervisor: President, Management Committee: Vice President, Management Committee: Secretary, Management Committee: Treasurer, Management Committee:
Centre LOCKDOWN - EMERGENCY PROCEDURE LOCKDOWN may be in response to any likely threat to Children, Staff or visitors to Medowie Community Pre-school. Lockdown is dependent upon the integrity of the pre-school building and its ability to protect people inside. Possible LOCKDOWN events may be (but are not limited to): Death or severe trauma of Child/Staff or visitor Potential hostage situation Siege situation Local disaster including severe weather (dependent upon condition of the buildings and the threat posed Media attention uncontrolled/unwanted Public nuisance violent, intoxicated/drug affected, threatening Unacceptable attention from the street and/or trespassing (e.g. communicating with or photographing children) Legal/custody dispute/situation Estranged parent/carer threat Event in neighbourhood with potential to impact children and/or the centre Dangerous animal/s ALERT ALL (verbally be calm & discrete) This procedure may be initiated by any staff member who perceives a threat to the children, staff or visitors at the centre. LOCKDOWN is not appropriate if the pre-school building is at risk. Nominated Supervisor to be notified as soon as possible.
SUPERVISOR Nominated supervisor will decide (in consultation with staff at the centre) on the level of the lockdown. Evaluate the threat If the Pre-school buildings may be at risk, another assembly area may be safer. Analyse the risk. Initiate a call for Emergency assistance if the threat cannot be managed by staff within the centre. IF IN DOUBT CALL FOR HELP. Response time of Police may exceed half an hour. GET THEM COMING, you can always call them off if the issue resolves itself. Phone for Emergency Assistance 000 Address: 42 Kindlebark Drive, Medowie Nearest Cross Street: Laurina Street Call-back number: 02 49 828749 Tell them : LOCKDOWN is in Progress Ensure you are NOT moving the children into danger Try and remain calm, and keep the children calm MOVE CHILDREN & All personnel to be moved to INSIDE the centre - to room/s on the opposite side to the perceived threat or disturbance. Should NOT be visible from outside the centre. No person is permitted to vacate the premises until the perceived threat of harm is eliminated or resolved Take mobile/hands-free phone, sign-in book/s, and the LOCKDOWN kit to the internal assembly area.