At RMA, keeping children safe includes preparing our staff and children for different types of emergencies. Throughout the school year, we practice evacuation/fire drills, shelter-in-place/tornado drills, and lockdown drills.
We know some of these topics can bring up big emotions for adults. Our goal is to take emergency preparedness seriously while making each drill brief, calm, and developmentally appropriate for the children.
Why We Practice
Drills give children and adults an opportunity to practice what to do before an emergency occurs. They help our teachers evaluate their classroom environments, identify questions or challenges, and become more confident responding to an unexpected situation. And, they are a legal requirement as part of being a licensed program.
No drill can prepare us for every possible circumstance. Emergencies are unpredictable, and each situation may require different decisions. However, practicing our basic procedures helps our staff respond as calmly and thoughtfully as possible.
Before each school year begins, the RMA team reviews our emergency procedures together. We discuss the uncomfortable realities behind these drills as adults, consider different scenarios, and talk through how we can keep the children safe and cared for.
Evacuation and Fire Drills
During an evacuation drill, children and staff practice leaving the building safely and moving to their designated gathering areas. The fire alarm may sound, teachers guide the children through the appropriate exits, and attendance is taken once everyone is outside.
These drills prepare us for a fire, smoke, a gas leak, or another situation in which it may be safer to leave the building.
For the children, the message is simple: when we hear the alarm, we stop what we are doing, listen to the teachers, and walk safely outside. The alarm can be loud, especially for children with sensory sensitivities, but teachers prepare and support the children as much as possible.
Shelter-in-Place and Tornado Drills
During a shelter-in-place or tornado drill, children and staff practice moving to protected areas inside the school. Depending on the situation, this may mean moving away from windows, gathering in an interior space, or going to the basement.
These drills prepare us for severe weather or another situation in which it may be safer to remain inside the building.
Teachers explain that we are practicing how to stay safe when the weather is very strong. Children stay with their class, listen to their teachers, and remain in the protected area until the drill is over.
Lockdown or “Hide” Drills
A lockdown drill prepares our staff for a possible threat inside or near the building. At RMA, we call this a “Hide Drill” when speaking with the children.
Unlike a fire drill, a Hide Drill is practiced silently. There are no alarms or flashing lights. Teachers are told when the drill begins and ends.
During the drill, teachers secure their classrooms and guide the children to an area away from interior doors and windows. Everyone practices staying hidden and quiet for a few minutes.
We do not talk with our Primary children about active shooters, “bad guys,” or bad people entering the school. Those details are not developmentally appropriate or necessary for them to participate successfully. Instead, we tell the children that we are practicing how to hide quietly and listen carefully to their teachers.
We keep the experience light, quick, and calm for the children. At the same time, our staff takes the drill very seriously. Teachers use the practice to assess their spaces, think through their responsibilities, and identify anything that could help us better protect and care for the children.
Talking With Your Child After a Drill
Children may respond to drills in different ways. Some may want to tell you every detail, while others may barely mention them.
If your child talks about a drill, you might say:
- “Drills help us practice what to do in an emergency.”
- “Your teachers practice so they know how to help keep everyone safe.”
- “You did the right thing by listening and staying with your class.”
- “Do you have any questions about what you practiced?”
We encourage families to follow their child’s lead and keep the conversation simple and reassuring. Young children do not need all of the adult details behind every emergency procedure.
If your child seems worried or has questions you are unsure how to answer, please reach out to us. We are happy to share how the drill was presented and help you continue the conversation at home.
Preparedness is a responsibility we take seriously. By practicing throughout the year, we can strengthen our procedures while helping the children feel confident that the adults around them are prepared to care for them.
