Emergency Plans

If the NIST Fire Protection Group, Police Department or Emergency Manager recommends the evacuation of NIST CCC, the following plans are in place:

All children from the infant, toddler and twos classrooms and their teachers will walk to Building 233 and assemble in the hallway by the front doors. Three (3) non-mobile children are to be placed in each of the evacuation cribs and rolled to Building 233. All other children are to walk. Children in preschool, kindergarten and school-age classrooms will walk to Building 101 and assemble in the Portrait Lounge.

1. Staff must take attendance when leaving NIST CCC and upon arrival at Buildings 233 or 101.

2. Staff must take the following items to their respective Buildings:

• Emergency Cards
• Attendance Book
• Children's tote bags and personal items as needed for diapering and allergies (medications, alternative food, etc.).
• Quiet activity for children: i.e., crayons and paper, books other quiet activities to keep the children occupied during our stay there.

Parents will be notified of our evacuation as soon as possible via a phone call from a NIST CCC staff person.

If the Child Care Center is evacuated at 3:30 p.m. or later, NIST CCC will be closing and the children will not be moved back to Building 320. Parents will be asked to pick up their children immediately in the respective buildings or as soon as conditions allow for safe departures. If called to pick up his/her child, the parent must come within thirty (30) minutes of notification or late fees as stated above will apply. If NIST CCC is evacuated earlier than 3:30 p.m., a decision will be made whether to move the children back to Building 320 or to dismiss from Building 233 and 101, based on emergency/weather conditions. Parents will be advised of the decision as promptly as possible.

Adjustment in Opening Hours – Due to Inclement Weather – Snow/Ice

Delayed Arrival – When NIST is operating under a "Delayed Arrival" Status, the Center will delay opening by the hours indicated in the announcement, e.g., NIST is operating under a "Delayed Arrival" Status and employees are instructed to delay their arrival by 2 hours, thus the Center would open at 8:45 a.m. (6:45 a.m. + 2 hrs. = 8:45 a.m.).

Unscheduled Leave – When NIST is operating under an "Unscheduled Leave" Status, the Center will open at 7:45 a.m.

Delayed Arrival-Unscheduled Leave (announced together) – When NIST is operating under a "Delayed Arrival-Unscheduled Leave" Status, the Center will delay opening by the hours indicated in the announcement, i.e., NIST employees are instructed to delay their arrival by 2 hours, thus the Center would open at 8:45 a.m. (6:45 a.m. + 2 hrs. = 8:45 a.m.). If NIST announces a specific delayed opening time (i.e. 11:00 am), NIST CCC will open 15 minutes earlier (i.e. 10:45 am) than the announced opening time.

Please note: "Delayed Arrival" and "Unscheduled Leave" occur when weather and road conditions are potentially dangerous. These adjustments in our operating hours give our staff more travel time, which is crucial during wintry weather conditions.

Early Dismissal (Early Closing) – Due to Inclement Weather - Snow/Ice or Emergency Situation

If the NIST site closes early due to inclement weather or for an emergency situation, the Center will close 30 minutes after NIST closes. Every effort will be made to notify parents of the early closing once we receive official notification from NIST. If NIST closes early, NIST employees will be notified in their own offices/labs by the NIST administration. Please stay alert when weather deteriorates or an emergency situation develops so you can pick up your child in a timely manner. A late pick up fee will be imposed for the first 5 minutes or portion thereof and a per minute charge beginning 30 minutes from NIST's official closing time.

Emergency Situation - "Shelter-in-Place" Plan

If the NIST Fire Protection Group, Police Department, or Emergency Manager recommends NIST CCC shelter-in-place based upon severe weather conditions (such as strong thunderstorms, high winds, or local tornado activity) the following plans are in place:

1. Staff and children will proceed to Rooms 20/21 (Kindergarten/School Age Classrooms) as these classrooms are reinforced for our protection. Staff must take attendance before leaving their classroom and upon arrival to the Rooms 20 and 21.
2. Staff must take the following items to Rooms 20 and 21: 
3. •  Emergency Cards
   • Attendance Book
   • Children's personal items as needed for diapering and allergies (medications, alternative food, etc.).
   • Quiet activity for children: i.e., crayons and paper, books other quiet activities to keep the children occupied during our stay there.
4. Staff members in Room 20 and 21 are to assist the Director/Assistant Director(s) in lowering emergency window coverings and then the hallway door coverings once all classrooms have gathered into Rooms 20 and 21. The cranks can be found in the storage closets of both rooms. The coverings should also be locked from the inside to prevent unauthorized entry.
5. Parents will be notified of our gathering in Rooms 20 and 21 as soon as possible via a phone call from a NIST CCC staff person.
6. Children will remain with staff in Rooms 20 and 21 until conditions improve.

Once the emergency event has subsided and clearance is given by NIST Emergency personnel, teachers and their students may return to the respective classrooms. If the building has sustained 　 damage and the center must close for the day, parents will be asked to come immediately to pick up his/her child. If called to pick up his/her child, the parent must come within thirty (30) minutes of notification. A late pick-up fee will be imposed for the first five (5) minutes or portion thereof and per minute thereafter.

Important Note: Please call the NIST Status Line at (301) 975-8000 for information regarding changes in NIST's operating hours. For specific information regarding changes in the Center's operating hours, call the CCC at (301)975-2152 or (301)975-8898.