Keeping your child safe through thoughtful planning and teamwork.
At Dubbo Early Learning Centre, we take emergency preparedness seriously. Our team works together—and with the wider community—to make sure we’re ready to respond calmly and effectively to any situation. Whether it’s a fire drill, a lockdown, a power outage, or a weather event, we plan ahead so children are safe and supported.
We Partner with the Community
We maintain strong relationships with local emergency services including the police, fire brigade, and SES and NSW Health. These community partners help us improve our emergency plans, provide training, and guide us on best practices. For example, feedback from our local fire service helped us choose safe evacuation points with clear access and visibility. Their advice gives us confidence and helps families feel reassured.
Our Procedures Are Practised and Reviewed
We practise emergency drills regularly with the children, keeping the tone calm and age-appropriate. After every drill, educators come together to reflect on how it went. We ask questions like: Did everyone know what to do? Were there any areas of confusion? Did anything unexpected happen? This helps us make improvements, such as changing signage, adjusting evacuation routes, or clarifying staff roles.
Educators Share Ideas That Improve Safety
Our team contributes feedback during group discussions and reflections. After one lockdown rehearsal, an educator noticed that some team members didn’t hear the “all clear” signal. As a result, we introduced short debriefs after every practice and clarified the communication process. During another drill, we noticed emergency supplies needed updating—so now, educators help check kits regularly to ensure they’re fully stocked and tailored to the needs of each room.
Communication with Families
Families are always kept informed during emergencies. We’ve refined our communication strategies based on feedback from families, including more timely SMS updates and visual aids for children who need extra support during these times. We also display emergency procedures in visible areas so families can understand what happens if an incident occurs.