Emergency Contacts

Families are required to keep UFCC staff informed of their current work and home telephone numbers, as well as emergency telephone numbers, which are recorded in the child’s file in the program. Should staff not have appropriate contact information, care may be paused until this requirement is met.

At least two (2) emergency contact telephone numbers are always required for each child. It is also critical to inform the program if you will be out of town for the day, or unavailable at the usual number.

Fire Drills and Secure Schools Protocol

Each UFCC program has a written procedure for fire drills that has been approved by the local fire department. Every UFCC staff member is familiar with this procedure, and each room has specific instructions for moving the children safely out of the building. The procedures are posted in each room and unannounced fire drills are carried out once per month in full day sites and once per month during the school year in extended day programs.

Every school has procedures in place to protect students and staff in the event of a serious incident in or around a school. Depending on the event, responses may range from Shelter in Place, Hold and Secure or Lockdown. These procedures are communicated to all users of the building and are practiced several times a year. UFCC staff and children are included in the procedures and participate in the practices when they occur.

Emergency Evacuations

Each program is required to obtain an emergency evacuation site, the location of which is posted in the Parent Information Area. If the building becomes unsafe, children will be evacuated from the school and moved to an emergency location. Once UFCC staff and children are safely at the evacuation site, families will be notified by phone.

UFCC staff will remain with the children until a family member or designated adult can pick them up. A copy of the Emergency Evacuation procedure can be found in the Parent Information Area or requested from the centre’s Supervisor or Program Leader.

Inclement Weather / Emergency Closures

When the HWDSB decides to close schools for the day due to a snowstorm or other emergency, UFCC programs are also cancelled. Please check the HWDSB website for information regarding school closures. Should HWDSB decide to close schools in the middle of the school day, the family is responsible for arranging to pick their child up from the school/program as soon as possible.

Weather Advisories

For the well-being of both children and UFCC staff, outdoor play will be reduced or eliminated when Environment Canada issues an advisory based on weather conditions (e.g., extreme heat and humidity, wind chill, smog, etc.).

Suspected Abuse or Neglect

In compliance with the Child and Family Services Act, any UFCC staff member or person who has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child has suffered or may be suffering from abuse or neglect must report the suspected abuse to the appropriate children’s aid society (HCFS or CCAS).

Under the Act, a “child” is defined as a person under the age of 16 and “abuse” occurs if a person who is providing care of the child causes or allows the child to suffer physical harm, emotional neglect or sexual interference.

Suspected abuse MUST be reported to HCFS or CCAS by UFCC staff on the day the suspicion occurs.

The Supervisor will also be notified of the action taken. HCFS or CCAS will then commence an investigation as appropriate and will contact the family, usually within 24 hours. HCFS or CCAS will often ask the reporting person not to inform the family that a report has been made, as this may interfere with the investigation.

• Everyone, including members of the public and professionals who work closely with children, is required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.
• If family members express concerns that a child is being abused or neglected, they will be advised to contact the local children’s aid society (HCFS or CCAS)
• UFCC staff who become aware of such concerns are also responsible for reporting this information to HCFS or CCAS as per the “Duty to Report” requirement under the Child and Family Services Act. For more information, visit  http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/childrensaid/reportingabuse/index.aspx

Contacts for Families and Staff

NAME	CONTACT INFO
College of Early Childhood Educators	416-961-8558 | Email
Hamilton Child and Family Supports	905-522-1121 | Email
Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton	905-525-2012 | Contact
Ministry of Education, Licensed Child Care Help Desk	1-877-510-5333