Sprouts Loss of Utility Closures

These are the time intervals for announcements and/or closure of the child care center/programming according to utility.

With all utilities, please first:

1. Assess safety (such as evacuation for a gas leak)
2. Take note of the time of loss
3. Notify the Administration and Executive Team
4. Consider temporary alternatives for immediate needs (such as using water cooler water for handwashing)
5. Walk the perimeter of the building, looking for utility trucks/workers, as well as environmental problems (such as a sewer grate backing up)
6. Contact utility company - see vendor list for Names/Phone Numbers
7. Consult with the kitchen regarding the ability to prepare meals, and consider ordering pizza or other food for upcoming meals/snacks if necessary. Even if lost utilities are regained, it may still prevent the food from being ready for meal times.

1. Water, Electricity
   1. Notify parents on Brightwheel if there is a loss for 30 minutes, warning that we MAY need to close and will update at 60 minutes. At 60 minutes, close the center and notify all families that immediate pickup is required.
   2. You may go to 90 minutes ONLY if that would take the center to a normal end of day, or the company has reassured us that it will be coming back on by the 90 minute mark.
   3. If there is a loss of electricity, hang outage signs and both the ramp and sprouts doors directing families to call 412-531-0590 X888 for assistance.
   4. REMEMBER: If there is no electricity, the landlines, doorbells, and keycode/card access will NOT work.
2. Internet / Phone
   1. Reach out to administration immediately to assess if the system simply needs to be re-booted.
   2. If there is a loss of internet, we do not need to close. However, monitor the ability for staff to call float/families, as well as answering the door.
   3. REMEMBER: If there is no internet, the landlines, doorbells, and keycode/card access will NOT work.
   4. Hang outage signs and both the ramp and sprouts doors directing families to call 412-531-0590 X888 for assistance.
3. Gas
   1. As long as room temperatures are maintained in cold weather, we do not need to close. However, monitor the ability to serve food closely.
   2. Watch indoor temperatures closely. It must be higher than 65 degrees in classrooms. Consider moving the children to areas with electric heat (i.e. the electric ductless heaters) if necessary.
4. Any other loss or limitation of utilities or services is managed at the discretion of Administration and the Executive Team (such as low water pressure, or walkways that are not shoveled/salted during snowy weather).

If we close one sprouts program, we close all programs for the day. For example, if the prek is closed at 11am, after school is also canceled. Other departments are responsible for closing their own programming/events.

Brightwheel Messages:

1. Water Warning: Sprouts Families-We have lost water at the facility as of XX:XX. If the water remains off for 60 minutes, for health and safety as well as state regulations, we must close. Please begin planning for potential early pickup. We will update in 30 minutes whether or not we must close.
   1. Water still off: Update-Unfortunately we are still without water. According to state regulations and for the health and safety of the children we must close. Please pick up your child as soon as possible. Please message back that you have received this alert with your estimated pickup time.
   2. Water back on: Update-We are thrilled to state that the water is back on! We can remain open for now. We will update you immediately if we lose water again.
2. Electricity Warning: Sprouts Families-We have lost power at the facility as of XX:XX. If it remains off for 60 minutes, for health and safety as well as state regulations, we must close. Please begin planning for potential early pickup. We will update in 30 minutes whether or not we must close.
   1. Electricity still off: Unfortunately we are still without power. Per regulations, and for health and safety, we must close. You must pick up your child ASAP. Please message back that you have read this alert with your estimated pickup time. The door system is down, so please call 412-531-0590 X888 when you get here.
   2. Water back on: Update-We are thrilled to state that the power is back on! We can remain open for now. We will update you immediately if we have a power loss again.