Evacuation Plans for Schools & Childcare Centres

Emergency plans at schools and childcare centres should be designed for ease of understanding and use. Because children may not comprehend danger right away, staff will need step-by-step guidance to follow prior to an emergency. The evacuation plan must address coverage for classrooms, play areas, pick up areas, exits, assembly areas, visitors, and staff, and must include staff duties. The plan should be designed to include WHS obligations and the AS 3745-2010 emergency planning standards, and should be designed to be used by both permanent and casual staff.

Clear Emergency Procedures for Young Occupants

Emergency procedures for schools and childcare centres should be based on actual emergency situations. Staff should know who will lead each group and who will check each room. Staff should also know who will communicate with management. The plan should address how visitors and parents who may be on site during an emergency will be led.

Evacuation Plans for Classrooms and Common Areas

Evacuation plans should be prominently displayed for staff, visitors, and building occupants. In schools and childcare centres, these plans should be displayed in classrooms, corridors, reception areas, staff rooms, halls, and common areas. Plans should display building exits, evacuation routes, assembly points, and fire safety equipment. In stressful and time-critical situations, staff will be able to focus on supporting safe evacuation.

Staff Roles and Visitor Management

All employees must know their specific responsibilities during evacuation procedures. Staff may be required to assist children, check nearby rooms, help visitors, or go directly to the designated assembly point. The plan should describe how to assist children with additional support needs (e.g. younger children, children with mobility/sensory/communication needs). Visitor procedures should also be included in the evacuation procedures, particularly during drop-off/pick-up, school events, or other school-based activities.

Training Staff for Calm Evacuation

Staff practice evacuation plans through fire warden training and trial evacuation drills. These drills reveal how the children grasp the evacuation plan, if the exits can be easily used, and if the assembly areas serve their intended purpose. Staff can also find out where supervision and communication gaps exist. Repeated drills make the procedures known and help people stay calm and safe.

Keep Your Plan Current

You need to review emergency plans if the structure of your building changes, if your playing areas are relocated, during/post construction, and with new staff. Since schools and childcare centres are frequently updated, plans should not be stagnant for years. To help stay fire safe, practice fire evacuation drills, keep your emergency manuals and evacuation diagrams up to date and avoid noncompliance with Fire Safety Compliance Sydney.