At Be. Independent Day Nursery, we prioritize the safety and welfare of all children in our care. This Uncollected Child Policy outlines the procedures to follow if a child is not collected by an authorized adult at the end of the nursery session.

1. Purpose

• To ensure the safety and wellbeing of children who are not collected on time.

Be. Independent Day Nursery – Policies for Website, updated October 2024

• To establish clear procedures for staff to follow in the event of a child being uncollected.
• To provide reassurance to parents and guardians about the nursery’s approach to managing this situation.

2. Legal Framework

This policy is guided by the following legislation and guidelines:

• The Children Act 1989 and 2004
• The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2023

3. Procedures for Uncollected Children

3.1 Collection Arrangements:

• Parents must inform the nursery if someone other than the usual person is collecting their child. This must be done in advance and recorded in writing.
• Parents are required to provide emergency contact details and inform the nursery of any changes to these details.
• The password system we use for collection still applies in this circumstance should someone other than the registered parent/guardians come to collect the child. These are checked monthly to make sure they are up to date.

3.2 If a Child is Not Collected:

• After a grace period of 5 minutes following the scheduled collection time, staff will attempt to contact the parent or guardian using the contact details provided.
• If the parent or guardian cannot be reached, staff will then contact the designated emergency contacts listed on the child’s registration form.

3.3 Ongoing Contact:

• Staff will continue to attempt to reach the parents and emergency contacts for up to 30 minutes after the scheduled collection time.
• During this time, the child will be cared for in a safe and secure environment by at least two staff members (One senior management along with a fellow member of staff) until they are collected by Parent/Guardian, Emergency Contact or by social services.

4. After 30 Minutes

4.1 Contacting Authorities:

• If the child remains uncollected after thirty minutes, the nursery will contact the local authority social services for advice. This is in line with safeguarding practices.

Be. Independent Day Nursery – Policies for Website, updated October 2024

• A written record of all actions taken will be maintained, including times, attempts to contact parents, and communications with authorities.

4.2 Documentation:

• Staff will comple te an Incident Report Form, detailing the situation and th steps taken. This will be stored in the child’s file and reviewed by the Nursery Manager.

5. Late Collection Fees

• A late collection fee may be charged if parents are consistently late in collecting their child. This will be outlined in the nursery’s fee structure and communicated to parents upon enrolment.

6. Reassurance for Parents

• Parents will be reassured that their child’s safety is our top priority, and that staff will take all necessary steps to ensure their child remains safe and comfortable while waiting to be collected.

7. Monitoring and Review

• This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if necessary to ensure it remains effective and compliant with current legislation.
• Feedback from parents will be welcomed to help improve our procedures and practices.

8. Contact Information

For questions regarding this policy or to discuss your child’s collection arrangements, please contact:

• Nursery Owner: Amy Ransom (info@bedaynurseries.co.uk)

Conclusion

At Be, we are committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all children. This Uncollected Child Policy provides a clear framework for staff to follow to manage situations where a child has not been collected on time.