Whether you're in a business meeting, in your car, or shopping, it's not always easy for your child's caregiver to contact you. Of course, childcare emergencies often occur without warning. A sudden fever, an injury, or even a power outage at the child care facility can result in an urgent need to speak to you or someone you trust to make critical decisions. For this reason, most schools and daycare providers require you to designate an emergency contact person. This person should be easy to reach, and someone the child is familiar with. Before giving the caregiver anyone's name as your emergency contact, be sure to get their permission. Receiving an unexpected emergency call about a child can be very disconcerting, especially if the contact isn't expecting this responsibility. If you're lucky enough to have more than one person willing to fill this role, pick the one with whom your child's most comfortable. It's a good idea to leave with the emergency contact a signed document authorizing them to obtain medical treatment for your child.
