Childcare Centers and Disaster Preparedness: Lessons from New Zealand

Abstract

This exploratory study examines disaster preparedness in childcare centers. It was conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand—a small nation at risk to many types of hazards—to understand, ultimately, how best to keep very young children safe in disasters. To add to the discussion of disaster preparedness for childcare centers and children's vulnerability in disasters, the study utilized interviews with childcare center directors and teachers, government employees, and researchers, and carried out observations at childcare centers and at government-sponsored trainings. The themes that were identified in the data are five elements that are key in the process of implementing preparedness measures, namely regulation clarity, communication, leadership, training, and community networks. Factors that hinder or assist childcare center preparedness are discussed.