Doc Summary
Policy Overview #
At The Norfolk Childcare Company, the safety and well-being of all our children is of the utmost importance. As such, we have implemented a strict pick-up and drop-off policy to ensure that all children are properly cared for and that their parents or guardians can have peace of mind when dropping them off and picking them up.
The intention of this Policy is to: #
- Establishing a clear and consistent process for dropping off and picking up children each day
- How staff will Identify and verify the identity of authorized individuals who are allowed to pick up a child
- Providing clear guidelines for late pick-ups and emergencies to ensure that the child is always safe
Who is this policy aimed at? #
This policy applies to all The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD employees, Volunteers, students, temporary staff, or anyone working for or on behalf of The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD.
This also applied to parents and carers of the children we have in out care.
Where does this Policy Apply? #
- Any location The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD operates
Drop Off #
We kindly request that when dropping off their children, parents or guardians accompany them to the front door of the Nursery. In the interest of child safety, we ask that all parents or guardians ensure close supervision of their children in the car park or on the way to the setting. While we take every precaution to minimise risk, the potential for hazards, such as cars or icy conditions, still may be present.
For the benefit of the children’s routines, as well as the other children and staff at the setting, we ask that all parents arrive as close to their designated drop-off times as possible. In the event of a delay, we kindly request that you contact the setting to inform them of the situation. Repeated absence from the setting without prior contact may result in us reaching out to the Children’s Advice and Duty Service (CADS) out of concern for the child’s safety.
Additionally, we will only admit children into the building at their designated start times. Due to strict staff-to-child ratios and varying staff schedules, we kindly request that parents arrive on time for their designated start times as well.
Pick Up #
We kindly request that parents make every effort to arrive on time for collection of their children. Late arrivals can cause disruptions and distress for the children, as well as challenges for our staff who are scheduled to end their shifts. In light of this, we have implemented a late fee for instances of lateness.
See more about our late fees HERE.
If you anticipate being late for pick-up, we kindly request that you contact your setting via telephone to inform them of the situation. We ask that you avoid communicating via email or messaging through our app as these methods may not be seen in a timely manner.
Collection Process #
- Upon arrival at the setting, parents or guardians will be directed to ring the doorbell located at the entrance. As a precautionary measure, we ask that parents or guardians wait outside.
- A member of staff will then use the camera system (if available) to verify the identity of the parent or guardian.
- The child’s designated key person will then prepare the child for pickup and escort them to the door. Taking a maximum of two children at a time.
- The member of staff will then verify the parent or guardian’s identity a second time to confirm the authority to collect the child.
- After the identity verification process, a brief summary of the child’s day and any important notes will be provided to the parent or guardian before they leave the setting.
Handover Process #
We understand the importance of providing detailed information during the handover process, however, we are limited by the constraints of time and the availability of staff. As such, we are often able to provide only a brief overview of the child’s day.
If you have any concerns or would prefer a more detailed handover, we encourage you to arrange to collect your child at an earlier time or contact us via our app or by phone. We will make every effort to accommodate your request.
Please note that while we strive to have the child’s keyperson conduct the handover, this may not always be possible due to schedule constraints.
Who Can Collect #
Any person or persons coming to collect a child from the nursery must do so with the parent’s consent. At the time of registration, the names of any person able to collect the child will be filled in on the Registration Form.
Individuals listed on the approved pickup list will be granted permission to collect the child. However, if the staff does not recognise the collector or if the pickup pattern deviates from the norm, the staff will contact a parent with parental responsibility to verify the individual’s authorisation to collect the child.
If anyone other than the usual people is coming to collect a child, we need to be told in advance. The Manager must be notified with a description or a recent photograph of the person collecting.
When verifying the person’s identity, we may ask for information from the collector. This might be the child’s D.O.B, the collection password or other information to confirm they who they say they are.
The person collecting will be seen as the child’s guardian and all information regarding the child’s general day will be passed on to them. Any in-depth details will only be discussed with parents unless prior written consent has been given.
Under no circumstances will any child be allowed to leave the nursery with anyone other than the designated person, this includes siblings who are under 18 years of age – even if parent is waiting outside the nursery.
If there is any doubt about the person’s identity or if we have not been previously informed, the child will not be released until we have made successful contact with a parent or legal guardian who can confirm the identity of the person collecting the child. The child’s safety is our top priority, and we will not release a child until we have confirmed the identity of the person collecting them.
Refusing Collection #
If staff consider that a parent or carer is not in a fit state to have care of the child, for example appears to be under the influence of alcohol, they will inform the Manager immediately. The Manager will refuse to permit them to take the child and make alternative arrangements by contacting an emergency contact number.
Parental Disagreements & Collection Rights #
In situations where there are court-ordered custody or access arrangements in place for a child, we will only release the child to those individuals who have been listed as having parental responsibility on the child’s registration form. If staff have any doubts about the parental responsibility of an individual, they are required to verify the information on the child’s registration form before releasing the child from our care.
We will comply with any written court or care orders that are in place, and any relevant information will be kept on file in the child’s individual file.
If a parent or guardian requests that we deny a former spouse or partner access to the child, we ask that this request be made in writing to the Manager, particularly if the spouse or partner has previously had access to the child.
However, if the former spouse or partner has legal parental responsibility for the child and wishes to remove the child from the setting, they may have a legal right to do so. In such cases, we suggest that the parent or guardian who is requesting that we deny access obtains a court order to prevent the removal of the child. We will comply with any such court order. In the absence of a court order, we can only deny access to the child if the former spouse or partner poses a risk to the child, such as if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol or displaying aggressive behaviour. In all cases, the parent or guardian will be notified when the former spouse or partner arrives at the setting to collect the child.
If a former spouse or partner arrives at the setting to collect a child, and they do not have legal parental responsibility for the child, we will not release the child to them.
Collector Conduct #
During collection times, there is often a significant influx of individuals, including the team, parents/carers, and children. In light of this, we respectfully request that those collecting individuals exercise restraint by refraining from smoking, vaping, and using strong language. We kindly ask for your consideration and adherence to these guidelines during the collection process.
In the event that any instances of smoking, vaping, or the use of strong language are observed, a member of our team will approach the individual involved and kindly request their cessation. Failure to comply with this request will result in being asked to vacate the premises.
Breach of Policy #
Any member of staff, student or volunteer found to be in breach of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action as a breach of this policy and our safeguarding policy. Any breach could result in termination of employment.
Policy Commencement and Review #
| Date Commencement | Review Terms | Signed By |
| 11/01/2023 | Yearly | Jonathan Tricks, Operations Director |