Doctors from children's hospitals work with community hospitals after a bad outcome with a child in the emergency department. Community hospitals treat the majority of pediatric patients, but many are ill-equipped to care for them. Pediatric readiness includes specific equipment, trained personnel and protocols for children. Recent data shows that only 53% of US hospitals meet basic pediatric readiness standards. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of pediatric cases in emergency rooms increased by 68%. The authors emphasize the need to improve the preparedness of community hospitals to manage pediatric emergencies. Working with children's hospitals helps identify areas for improvement.