Caring for young children can be challenging enough on a perfectly normal day, but during an emergency those challenges are magnified. Natural disasters and emergencies — such as earthquakes, storms, fires, power outages, flooding or outbreaks that affect a wide community — obviously present a major operational challenge for childcare programs. That’s why childcare providers need to have preparedness plans for emergencies and natural disasters that are likely to occur in their communities. Be sure to discuss emergency planning with your day care, childcare program or after-school care provider.