Practising Safety with Care: Our Lockdown Drill at Little Olive Tree (Foochow Methodist Church)

At Little Olive Tree, the safety and well-being of every child entrusted to us is a responsibility we take seriously. At the same time, we believe that even safety practices can become meaningful learning experiences when approached with care and intention.

Recently, our centre at Foochow Methodist Church conducted a lockdown drill as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that both children and educators are prepared to respond calmly and safely in unexpected situations.

Recognising the age of our children, the drill was thoughtfully designed to be reassuring and age-appropriate. Using music cues, the experience was framed as a simple “hide and seek” activity. When slow tempo music was played, teachers calmly guided the children into a safe area within the classroom. Doors were secured, lights were switched off, and children were gently reminded to stay quiet, still, and close together. Throughout the process, our educators maintained a calm and comforting presence, helping the children feel safe and supported.

When the fast tempo music played and the “all clear” announcement was made, the children understood that it was time to return to their normal activities.

Beyond the drill itself, the day also included meaningful contributions from our parent community. Two parent volunteers joined us to share with the children simple and important lessons on cyber safety. Through age-appropriate explanations, the children were introduced to the idea of staying safe not only in physical spaces, but also in the digital world.

To end the session on an engaging and positive note, the children took part in an obstacle course circuit. The activity allowed them to move, explore, and release energy, bringing balance to the day while reinforcing confidence and coordination.

What may appear to be a simple programme was, in fact, a carefully designed experience. It brought together different aspects of learning awareness, responsibility, physical development, and trust in a way that children could understand and engage with.

At Little Olive Tree, we believe that education goes beyond the classroom. It includes preparing children for the world around them, while ensuring they feel safe, supported, and cared for. Through thoughtful experiences like these, children learn not only what to do, but also how to remain calm, trust others, and respond with confidence.

We are grateful to our educators and parent volunteers for making this day both meaningful and reassuring for our children.

If you would like to learn more about how we create safe, nurturing, and thoughtfully designed learning environments, we warmly invite you to connect with us and discover what life at Little Olive Tree looks like.