Here we are again experiencing snow conditions. This is a situation we are monitoring however if you are concerned please feel free to come and collect your child otherwise we will remain open as long as the schools are open.
Please read further to become familiar with our snow closure policy.
(If you want to look this up into the future then type “Centre closure during snow” into the search box on the front page.)
Centre Closure during Snow
RATIONALE: Living in an “Alpine Resort” can at times have unpredictable weather patterns. Sometimes these weather patterns can make driving conditions unsafe and therefore create a situation where the centre may need to close to give families and staff the opportunity to get home safety and before the weather conditions get worse.
OBJECTIVE: To maintain our duty of care towards our staff and children and ensure their safety is not compromised by staying open. The priority is to ensure the staff and children will be able to get home safety, and before weather conditions get worse.
IMPLEMENTATION:
AB’s governance committee will take the following aspects into consideration when deciding whether or not to close the centre and send the staff and children home.
– road conditions?
– how long it will take for children to be collected?
– will all the staff and children be able to get home safely?
In the event of snow first thing in the morning:
We follow the same guidelines as Mt Aspiring College and Wanaka Primary School. Please listen to Radio Wanaka. If the “schools” delay the start of school or complete closure, then we will follow with the same decision. If school opening is delayed it will be by one hour, with further decisions being made as the weather unfolds.
In the event of snow during the day when we are already open:
We follow the decision to close that is made by Mt Aspiring College, as does the primary school and other ECE centre’s. Please listen to Radio Wanaka on 92.2 or www.wanakalive.com for updates, or refer to our website for latest blogs. When the decision has been made to close:
1. We will ring families to collect their children as soon as possible. In the event that we cannot contact either caregiver then your emergency contact will be requested to collect your child. Once the last child has been collected the centre will be closed for the remainder of the day.
2. Staff who live the greatest distance away and who have “two wheel drive” transport will be sent home first.
In the event of snow when Wanaka Primary school is not open; ie after 3 or school holidays:
The person responsible and chairperson will make a joint decision whether or not the centre will close. Then follow the above guidelines.