Dropping Off & Collections Policy

Dropping Off

Please let me know as much in advance as possible, if your intended arrival time changes from the contracted one. Late drop times can be accommodated, but due to classes/outings/and school runs, I may not be able to wait for you and may have to make other arrangements with you, so the earliest notification is best. Please do not arrive unexpectedly early as I may not be ready to care for your child. Please discuss this with me if you need to change your contracted hours.

Late Collection

It is important that you arrive at the contracted time to collect your child, as this can affect staff finishing late and for us to keep within the staff/child ratios, also possibly affecting staff wage cost to which may incur a late collection charge.

My family time is important and is also affected by late collection, giving me less time to spend with my own children and providing for their needs.

Even young children learn our routine and know when their parent/carer is due to arrive. They can become distressed if you are late. I know sometimes delays are unavoidable, especially if you are relying on public transport or travelling during rush hour traffic. If you are delayed, please contact me and let me know when you expect to arrive. I will normally be able to accommodate the additional care, however if I am unable, I will contact other adults from the authorized list and arrange for them to collect your child.

Emergency Collection

I will only release a child from my care to adults who have permission to collect them. I will therefore need you to provide me with a list of people authorized to collect. It would be helpful if they are not known to me, to include a description or a photograph for me to keep on file.

In the event of an emergency, we can operate a password system where you can send someone not authorized to collect your child but who is able to give the password. Please discuss this with me if you would like to use this system.

If I have not heard from you and you are very late (30minutes) I will try to make contact with you. If I am unable to make contact with you then I will try the emergency contact numbers.

During this time, I will continue to safely look after the child.

I will continue to try the parents’ contact numbers and emergency numbers, but after a responsible amount of time (1 hour from the original agreed collection time) I will then tell the local authority duty social worker.

I reserve the right to make an additional charge for late collection.