Policy on Power Outages

[midaycare]

I live in a cold state and lost power today for the first time since I opened. I really haven't thought about it, and to be honest, I'm not sure if there are state rules on it or not.

Anyone here have rules on it?

[Play Care]

If I don't have power I have to close. We can use generators though. We must have heat (one of our regs is that the heat has to be set to at least 68) and running water (we are on a well so no power means no water)

If the power goes out and the kids are already here I usually just keep them - even if I don't hook up the generator. Chances are good that the power would be back before parents could get here anyway. I keep bottled water on hand and I also have a gas fireplace that works without electricity, so we won't freeze.

[Fiddlesticks]

If I lost power, I would not open, and if the power went out and didn't appear to be coming back within a very short time, I would call the parents to pick up ASAP.

[KidGrind]

For health and sanitation reasons we close:

Utility Outages

• Provider will not take children into care during water or power outages under any circumstances. It’s a health and safety issue.
• Parent(s) will be notified immediately during a water or power outage. o Parent(s) must pick up child(ren) for all utility outages lasting more than one hour, no exceptions.o Refusal to pick up will result in two-week termination notice. o Provider will notify parent(s) of any city, ___________ Community planned utility outages. ___________ will close on planned utility outages. No refunds or credits will be given due to utility outages.

[midaycare]

Today, the power went out about 8:45 am. I have running water. No heat, but I keep the house at 72 degrees when the kids are here, so it is warm still. It no power by lunch, I suppose I will call for pickup so the kids don't have to nap here.

[midaycare]

For health and sanitation reasons we close:

Utility Outages

• Provider will not take children into care during water or power outages under any circumstances. It’s a health and safety issue.
• Parent(s) will be notified immediately during a water or power outage. o Parent(s) must pick up child(ren) for all utility outages lasting more than one hour, no exceptions.o Refusal to pick up will result in two-week termination notice. o Provider will notify parent(s) of any city, ___________ Community planned utility outages. ___________ will close on planned utility outages. No refunds or credits will be given due to utility outages.

I like this, and if it were any colder outside today, I would have to close asap. Since I don't already have a policy, I'm in no man's land for today, anyway.

[KidGrind]

I like this, and if it were any colder outside today, I would have to close asap. Since I don't already have a policy, I'm in no man's land for today, anyway.

It’s a health and safety issue. A lot of people do not consider the food and water temperature. Hot, 70 degrees, or freezing outside doesn’t matter.

[Unregistered]

My policy is if there is no water and/or power for more than one hour I close due to health, safety, and sanitary reasons. If dcks are already here I call for pick up. I call my electric or water company to see what happened and get an estimated time of when utility will be up and running. I do not refund or credit for the day should I need to close for anything beyond my control (power outages, no water, natural disasters). I have had to do this several times and had no families that were upset because I go over it at interview, it's in my handbook and contract.

[Indoorvoice]

I'm in MI too and there are no state rules about power outages, but you have to have heat and water. I have a rule in my contract about it though. I personally just don't want to run without power. I lost power over the summer last year while kids were here and it wasn't fun. My playroom is downstairs and not much light gets down there.

[Indoorvoice]

It’s a health and safety issue. A lot of people do not consider the food and water temperature. Hot, 70 degrees, or freezing outside doesn’t matter.

[midaycare]

I feel an addendum to my contract coming on!

Thanks everyone

[childcaremom]

I don't have time specifications in my contract but do tell parents that my main concerns are comfort and food storage.

If it is expected to come on shortly, we will survive. If it is expected to be out indef. then I will close and am paid. Obviously my time depends on the weather. In winter, I would probably close before nap period.

[daycare]

Ditto on closing. I could not operate without power for more than one hour.

I have in my PHB that all kids would be sent home for the day.

[DaveA]

I would probably make an exception if I had talked to utilities and knew it was coming back online any minute, but otherwise anything over an hour without power/ water and I close. Can't remember if IL has a specific rule on it or not.

[melilley]

If the power goes out before I open, I let parents know that it's out and I will let them know when it comes back on. They cannot bring them until it does. If it goes out during the day, I'll let them know that if it doesn't come back on by a certain time, they have to pick up. We can't let it get colder than 60 something (I forget, I'll have to look it up).

Two years ago, we didn't have power fro 10 days! Luckily it was Christmas week and I only had to close for 3 days!