Hurricane Preparedness at Florida Daycares: What Every Parent Should Know
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Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the country, and for parents with children in daycare, storm season brings unique concerns. Will the daycare close? How will they notify you? What happens if a storm hits during daycare hours?
This guide covers what Florida law requires of daycares, what you should ask your provider, and how to prepare your family for hurricane season.
What Florida Law Requires
Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) requires all licensed childcare facilities to maintain written emergency preparedness plans. These plans must address:
- Evacuation procedures: Clear routes and designated meeting points
- Shelter-in-place protocols: Procedures for riding out a storm inside the facility
- Parent notification: How and when parents will be contacted during an emergency
- Emergency supplies: Minimum stockpiles of water, food, first aid supplies, and flashlights
- Child reunification: Procedures for safely reuniting children with authorized parents or guardians
- Staff responsibilities: Assigned roles and backup plans if staff cannot reach the facility
- Records protection: Plans for securing children’s medical and emergency contact information
Questions to Ask Your Daycare Before Hurricane Season
Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 through November 30. Before it starts, have a conversation with your daycare provider about these topics:
- When will you decide to close before a storm? How much advance notice will parents receive?
- How will you communicate closures and updates? (Phone call, text, email, app, social media?)
- What happens if a storm arrives while children are at the facility?
- Where is the shelter-in-place area within the building?
- What emergency supplies do you keep on hand and how often are they refreshed?
- Who is authorized to pick up my child during an emergency?
- How quickly will you reopen after a storm passes?
- Do you have a backup location if the facility is damaged?
How Daycares Typically Handle Hurricane Threats
72 hours before potential landfall: Most daycares begin monitoring storm tracks and reviewing their emergency plans. Communication to parents usually begins at this stage.
48 hours before: Facilities in evacuation zones or mobile structures typically announce closures. Non-evacuation-zone facilities may remain open but prepare shelter-in-place protocols.
24 hours before: Nearly all daycares close if a major hurricane is forecast. Parents receive final closure notifications with expected reopening timeline.
During the storm: The facility should be closed with all children safely at home. If a storm unexpectedly accelerates, the daycare’s shelter-in-place plan activates.
After the storm: Facilities conduct safety inspections before reopening. This may take 1 to 7 days depending on damage, power restoration, and road conditions.
What Parents Should Prepare
- Backup childcare plan: Identify family, friends, or backup providers who can care for your child during extended closures
- Updated contact information: Make sure the daycare has current phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contacts
- Emergency pickup authorization: If you might not be able to pick up your child, ensure authorized alternatives are on file
- Work plan: Discuss remote work options with your employer in advance of hurricane season
- Family emergency kit: Maintain a home emergency kit with supplies for your entire family including your child’s essentials
After the Storm: Helping Children Cope
Hurricanes can be frightening for young children. After a storm:
- Maintain routines as much as possible — this provides comfort and security
- Talk about the storm in age-appropriate terms without minimizing their feelings
- Watch for signs of anxiety including regression, clinginess, sleep disturbances, and changes in behavior
- Work with your daycare provider to maintain consistency in your child’s care
- Seek professional help if anxiety persists beyond a few weeks
Verify that your daycare has a solid emergency plan. Browse our Florida daycare directory to find licensed providers in your area.
Watch: Related Childcare Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Florida daycares required to have hurricane plans?
Yes. Florida DCF requires all licensed childcare facilities to maintain written emergency preparedness plans that cover evacuation, shelter-in-place, communication, supplies, and child reunification. Ask to review your daycare’s plan before hurricane season.
When do Florida daycares close for hurricanes?
Most daycares close 24 to 48 hours before expected hurricane landfall, depending on the storm’s strength and their location relative to evacuation zones. Some may close earlier for major storms. The exact timing is determined by each facility’s emergency plan and local government orders.
How will my daycare notify me about hurricane closures?
Communication methods vary by daycare. Common approaches include phone trees, text message alerts, parent communication apps, email blasts, and social media posts. Ask your provider which methods they use and make sure your contact information is current.
What if a hurricane hits while my child is at daycare?
Licensed facilities are required to have shelter-in-place procedures. Staff will move children to the safest interior area of the building, away from windows and doors. They will contact parents immediately and arrange pickup as soon as conditions are safe.
Will I be charged for hurricane closure days?
Policies vary by provider. Some daycares do not charge for weather-related closures, while others include closure days in their regular tuition. Review your enrollment contract for the specific policy. Some facilities offer makeup days instead of refunds.
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