In the event of an emergency/unplanned collection, by a previously unspecified person, staff will ask for verbal proof of identification at time of arrangement with parent, including the provision of a password.

In the event of a prior designated collector being unable to collect the child as arranged, staff will only allow the child to leave with another person approved by their parents/carers.

In the event that the parent/carer is going to be late collecting their child, they must advise the Pre-School on telephone No. 07930882076 before the end of the session.

Drugs and Alcohol

In the event of a parent/carer/nominated collector being under the suspected influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of collection, the following guidelines will apply.

• We will manage the incident tactfully to ensure that the professional working relationship with the family is maintained.
• If a member of staff has any concerns regarding the child’s welfare they will immediately report this to the senior member of staff, who would then endeavour to speak to the parent/ carers about the child’s needs.  We will ensure that there are two members of staff present when speaking to the parent so that staff should not jeopardise their own safety or others in these situations.
• In the event that the parent/carer/nominated collector arrives at the preschool under the influence of alcohol or drugs, we will ask that someone come with the parent/carer/nominated collector to take responsibility for the child before a member of staff gives up her responsibility of the child.
• Should this not happen, although we have no legal right to withhold a child from a parent/carer/nominated collector, we however reserve the right to contact any relevant authorities that we may feel appropriate i.e. the police, partner, parent etc. 
• Any member of staff feeling under threat will contact the police.  The preschool operates a zero tolerance policy for threatening/aggressive behaviour, and such behaviour could result in an exclusion from the premises.
• A full written report will be made of the incident.

YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY IS OUR MAIN CONCERN AND AS SUCH, THIS WILL DETERMINE THE COURSE OF ACTION TAKEN.

Non Collection Policy

If at the end of a Pre-School session/day, an authorised adult does not collect a child, the Pre-School puts into practice agreed procedures.  These ensure the child is cared for safely by an experienced and qualified practitioner who is known to the child.

If a child is not collected, we will ensure that they receive a high standard of care in order to cause as little distress as possible.  We inform parents/carers of our procedures so that, if they are unavoidably delayed, they will be re-assured that their child will be properly cared for.

It is imperative that children be picked up promptly, not only from aspects of Health and Safety, Insurance and Ofsted regulations regarding Adult to Child ratios, but also from the emotional upset that can be caused by late arrival of parents.  A child can become extremely distressed within minutes when all their friends have left and they are ‘on their own’, even with physical comfort and emotional support being given by the Staff.

In the event that the parent/carer is going to be late collecting their child, they must advise the Pre-School on telephone No. 07930882076

If a child is still at Pre-School five minutes after the end of the session i.e. 11.35 a.m. or 3.05 p.m. and no contact has been received from parents, a member of staff will endeavour to make contact with the parent/carer using the contact numbers provided on the registration sheet or collection book.  This contact will result in a late collection form being raised and the child will be placed in Lunch Club or Sunset Club, as this is a NON COLLECTION, the minimum fee charged for this time will be 1 hours fees.

If there are more than five instances of NON COLLECTION, within a half term, parents to be advised in writing, that should a sixth occurrence take place, Children’s Social Care will be advised.

If we are advised prior to this time, then the child may be placed in Lunch Club or Sunset Club and the standard fees will be charged, in 30 minute increments.

Late collection from Lunch club, i.e. after 12.20 p.m. will result in the cost of additional staff having to remain on duty, as due to ratios it may not be possible for the child to enter the afternoon session.  This will be billed in 15-minute increments.

Late collection from Sunset Club i.e. after 4.00 p.m. will result in the cost of the additional two members of staff having to remain on duty.  This will be billed in 15-minute increments.

Should a child still be at the Pre-School thirty minutes after the end of the Sunset Club, without either receiving or being able to establish contact with a parent/carer the staff will be left with no alternative but to contact Children’s Social Care to arrange for them to take over.  A Common Assessment Framework form will also be completed and forwarded to Children’s Social Care.

Any non-advised late collection exceeding 30 minutes will be recorded on a Common Assessment Framework form and forwarded to Children’s Social Care.