What Is Shelter-in-Place
Shelter-in-place is an emergency protocol where children and staff remain inside the facility and move to designated safe areas when an external threat or hazard makes outdoor evacuation unsafe. This differs from evacuation, where everyone leaves the building. Common triggers include severe weather (tornadoes, hail), air quality alerts, nearby traffic incidents, or external security threats.
Most state licensing regulations require childcare facilities to have shelter-in-place procedures documented as part of their emergency plan. The specifics vary by state, but facilities must identify safe rooms, establish communication protocols, and train staff on execution. NAEYC-accredited programs go further, conducting shelter-in-place drills at least twice yearly and documenting staff competency in managing children during these events.
Licensing and Regulatory Requirements
- States typically require facilities to designate at least one interior room away from windows (ideally a basement, interior hallway, or bathroom) as the shelter-in-place location
- Staff must be trained to move groups of children to the shelter area within 2-3 minutes without causing panic
- Written emergency plans must specify which hazards trigger shelter-in-place versus evacuation
- Documentation of drills must be maintained for licensing inspections, typically showing dates, times, and any issues encountered
- Child-to-staff ratios remain enforceable during shelter-in-place (for example, 1:4 for infants in many states), so planning must account for space constraints
Implementation in Practice
When a shelter-in-place is initiated, the facility manager or designated staff member alerts all classrooms. Teachers move children to the pre-designated safe room, bringing attendance records, emergency contact information, and first aid supplies. Doors and windows are secured but not locked (blocking exits violates fire codes). Staff keep children calm through quiet activities while monitoring weather reports or external conditions via radio or phone.
Duration varies. Severe weather shelter-in-place events typically last 15-45 minutes. Air quality alerts may require shelter-in-place for several hours. Staff should have activities and supplies ready (books, quiet toys, water) to occupy children without creating stress.
Communication with parents is critical. Facilities should establish a protocol to notify families once the threat passes, typically via text, email, or the center's communication app. Parents should be informed during enrollment that shelter-in-place drills occur and what to expect.
Common Questions
- Does shelter-in-place affect CCDF subsidy eligibility? No. Subsidy funding is not impacted by emergency procedures. However, if a facility fails to maintain required emergency documentation, it could lose its license, which would affect subsidy status. Providers must ensure shelter-in-place procedures are documented and drilled.
- How does shelter-in-place differ from lockdown? Shelter-in-place responds to external environmental hazards (weather, air quality) and requires movement to a safe room. Lockdown is a security measure in response to threats on or near campus and typically means staff secure doors in place and keep children in classrooms rather than moving them.
- What should I ask my childcare provider about shelter-in-place? Request to see their written Emergency Plan, ask when drills occur, where the safe room is located, and how they communicate with parents after an incident. Reputable providers welcome these questions.