Tools, reading, and ongoing education for early childhood professionals — from the Institute for Childhood Preparedness.
Free newsletter from ICP
Helpful tips, trainings, and resources from the Institute for Childhood Preparedness — delivered to your inbox. Don't Be Scared. Be Prepared.®
Blog
Articles, guides, and commentary on early childhood safety and preparedness — written by the ICP team.
Printables & handouts
Downloadable resources for early childhood programs — posters, reference sheets, and training handouts you can print and use right away.
Free site safety risk assessments
As a founding member of the Storefront Safety Council, ICP is offering 100 early childhood programs a free site safety risk assessment — plus a three-part video series on keeping classrooms and playgrounds safe from vehicle traffic.
Podcast
Conversations with early childhood professionals, safety experts, and advocates. Each episode focuses on practical strategies you can bring back to your program.
Books by Andrew Roszak
A three-book series on preschool preparedness written by ICP founder Andrew Roszak, JD, MPA, EMT-Paramedic. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Gryphon House / Kaplan Early Learning.
Preschool Preparedness for an Active Shooter won the 2020 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Award in two categories.
Preparing for the Unexpected™ — Book 1
A thorough guide to preparing early childhood programs for an active shooter incident. Covers facility planning, staff training, drills, family communication, and recovery — all through a calm, child-centered lens.
Preparing for the Unexpected™ — Book 2
A step-by-step guide to building a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan for early childhood programs. Covers community risk assessment, local regulations, plan development, staff training, and ongoing preparedness.
Preparing for the Unexpected™ — Book 3
A practical guide to recovery — what happens after a disaster strikes your program. Covers re-opening, trauma-informed care for staff and children, family communication, documentation, and rebuilding operations.
"Andrew Roszak's timely book provides a thorough look at planning for the unthinkable — an active shooter situation in an early childhood program. This book builds upon your facility's current emergency plans by providing clear examples of specific actions which will increase the safety of your staff and children during an active shooter incident. It is must reading for childcare providers, parents and anyone interested in preparing for the unthinkable."
Betsy T. Kagey, PhD
"Preschool Preparedness for an Emergency is an invaluable resource for early childhood programs. Andrew Roszak provides a history of disasters and their impact on early childhood programs to shed light on the timeliness of this topic. Emergency preparedness is not a solitary conversation or plan, but an ongoing awareness of potential crises and a continual updating of procedures to follow if disaster does strike. Roszak clearly explains a step by step process of assessing community risk, learning local regulations/requirements, and putting a viable plan together to ensure your early childhood program is well prepared for any unexpected event that may come your way. This book will serve as an excellent guide for any learning facilities to perfect their emergency preparedness preparation and response."
Jaclyn Powers, Professional Development Specialist, Child Care Aware of Virginia
Free on-demand webinars
A growing library of free, on-demand webinars covering health, safety, and child protection topics for early childhood staff and the families they serve. All webinars are free and available anytime — programs are encouraged to share them widely in staff newsletters, parent communications, and on social media.
Understanding asthma triggers, symptoms, and how to support children with asthma in your program.
Watch free →Safe and effective pest management strategies for child care programs that protect children's health.
Watch free →Recognizing lead hazards, reducing exposure risks, and protecting young children in early childhood environments.
Watch free →Lead Safety with the US EPA — presented in Spanish
Qué es el plomo, por qué preocupa, y cómo reducir la exposición de su familia. Presentado con la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de EE. UU.
Ver gratis, en español →How burns happen in early childhood settings, prevention strategies, and appropriate first aid responses.
Watch free →Evidence-based guidance on talking to families about firearm safety and reducing access risks for young children.
Watch free →A companion session written for families — how to talk with parents about safe storage and reducing a child’s access to firearms at home.
Watch free →Prevention strategies, safe arrival policies, and guidance for programs and families on keeping children safe around vehicles.
Watch free →Using social stories to introduce emergency preparedness concepts for children with autism spectrum disorder in developmentally appropriate ways.
Watch free →A multi-part series on proper car seat selection, installation, and use — practical guidance for programs and families.
Watch free →Recognizing and responding to allergic reactions — symptoms, epinephrine use, preventing cross-contamination, and safe mealtime practices.
Watch free →How visual cues shape behavior, and how to use them to prevent injuries — hot car safety, pool security, poison prevention, and home safety.
Watch free →Andrew Roszak in conversation with Route 91 Harvest survivor Lacey Newman on preparedness and talking with children about traumatic events.
Watch free →