Dropping and Collecting Procedure
We want to give all the children at Little Acorns the best care possible and for that reason we will need to be organised in the way we all work together.
Dropping off your child
If for any reason you intend to arrive at a different time from the contracted one, please let us know in advance by messaging, telephoning, or discussing it with us. If you unexpectedly arrive early, we may not be ready to care for your child. It may be better to wait outside, and then come to the door at the right time. If we can take your child early, you may need to arrange to pick your child up earlier too. If you are unable to do this, then extra hours will be added to your next invoice. If you are going to be late, please message us so that we can be ready for you. If it impacts on us dropping off at nursery, we will discuss timings with you. If you need to change your contracted hours for any reason, please discuss this with us so that we can adapt your contract.
If for any reason you intend to arrive at a different time from the contracted one, please let us know in advance by messaging, telephoning, or discussing it with us. If you unexpectedly arrive early, we may not be ready to care for your child. It may be better to wait outside, and then come to the door at the right time. If we can take your child early, you may need to arrange to pick your child up earlier too. If you are unable to do this, then extra hours will be added to your next invoice. If you are going to be late, please message us so that we can be ready for you. If it impacts on us dropping off at nursery, we will discuss timings with you. If you need to change your contracted hours for any reason, please discuss this with us so that we can adapt your contract.
Collecting your child
Likewise, it is important that you arrive on time to collect your child. Very young children learn routines and know when their parents are due. They can become anxious or distressed if you are late. We understand that sometimes delays are unavoidable, so if you think you are going to be delayed, please contact us, and let us know when you expect to arrive. We may be able to accommodate the additional care; however, if we can’t, we will contact someone from your authorised list and arrange for them to collect your child. We will reassure your child that someone is on their way and if necessary, organise additional activities and a meal.
Likewise, it is important that you arrive on time to collect your child. Very young children learn routines and know when their parents are due. They can become anxious or distressed if you are late. We understand that sometimes delays are unavoidable, so if you think you are going to be delayed, please contact us, and let us know when you expect to arrive. We may be able to accommodate the additional care; however, if we can’t, we will contact someone from your authorised list and arrange for them to collect your child. We will reassure your child that someone is on their way and if necessary, organise additional activities and a meal.
If a child is not collected
- If a child is not collected within 30 minutes and we have not been contacted, we will try to contact the parents: WhatsApp, text, ringing.
- We will be aware of travel disruption and local news bulletins/apps where necessary.
- We will then try the emergency contact numbers. We will continue to look after the child.
- After 1 hour from the original agreed collection time, if we have not heard from the parents or emergency contact, we will contact children’s services and follow their advice.
- In the case of a National Emergency then this procedure will not be put into practice – please see separate policy.
- We will record this in our Safeguarding and Incident folder (AI & M Folder).
It is vital for good communication and the safety of all children that parents keep their contact details up to date.
- If a parent is regularly more than fifteen minutes late collecting their child, they will be charged for an extra hour.
- Late fees will be charged at our discretion.
Who can collect the children?
Procedures and authorised adults are recorded in the contract.
Those who are not named will not be able to pick up the child.
If there is an emergency, and a known person cannot pick up the child, then we would operate a password system and would appreciate (where possible) a photograph of the adult who will be picking the child up. We may fill in a “Collection Consent Form” if this is organised in advance. This is kept in the Attendance Folder.
Procedures and authorised adults are recorded in the contract.
Those who are not named will not be able to pick up the child.
If there is an emergency, and a known person cannot pick up the child, then we would operate a password system and would appreciate (where possible) a photograph of the adult who will be picking the child up. We may fill in a “Collection Consent Form” if this is organised in advance. This is kept in the Attendance Folder.
If parents are divorced or separated, under the Children Act 1989 parents do not lose their rights of contact with their children unless a Court Order has been issued, therefore it is crucial that we are informed of this. We do not have the right to prevent a divorced parent from collecting their child if a Court Order is not in place.
If we suspect or know that a parent is likely to be violent or unfit to take the child, we are within our rights to keep the child until the other parent arrives. This is justified under Section 3(5) of the Children Act, which states that a person who has care of a child may ‘do what is reasonable in all circumstances of the case for the purpose of safeguarding the child’s welfare’.
Date: October 2023
Signed: AOKane Date: 29.10.23
Signed: MOkane Date: 29.10.23
Signed: AOKane Date: 29.10.23
Signed: MOkane Date: 29.10.23