What if something urgent happens during the day?

 If an urgent situation or emergency arises during the day, we will immediately contact you (and/or the emergency contacts you’ve provided) so that you’re aware of the situation and can respond accordingly. Your child’s safety and well-being are always our top priority, and quick communication is a big part of that.

For example, if your child suddenly spikes a high fever, has an allergic reaction, or sustains any injury beyond a minor scrape, we will call you right away on the phone. We won’t rely on just the app for urgent matters – you’ll get a direct call or in-person conversation. In the unlikely event of a larger emergency at the center (such as a building issue, a neighborhood incident, etc.), we have an emergency action plan and communication protocol. We would send out an alert (typically via Brightwheel and email, and phone as needed) explaining what is happening and instructions on what parents should do. If we needed to evacuate or relocate, you would be informed of where to pick up your child. We maintain updated emergency contact lists and make sure our phones are readily accessible at all times in case we need to reach families.

Rest assured that if anything urgent or unexpected comes up, you will be the first to know right after we ensure the children are safe. For non-life-threatening issues (like your child not feeling well), we might first attend to your child’s immediate needs (comforting them, taking their temperature, etc.) and then call you within a very short time with information and a plan (for instance, asking you to pick them up). We never want a parent to be caught off guard, so we err on the side of over-communicating in urgent situations. When you get that call, we’ll calmly tell you what’s going on and what steps we’re taking, and we’ll follow any instructions you give as well (for example, if you want someone else to pick up your child because you’re not close by). Our goal is to handle any emergency swiftly, keep all children safe, and keep our families informed every step of the way.