Late Collection Policy and Procedure

Written by Noahs Ark on 26th February 2015. Posted in

Late collection policy and procedure

 Statement on Intent

We aim to ensure that all children are collected on time at the end of the day/session.  We understand that this is not always practicable and therefore have this policy and procedure in place to safeguard the nursery staff and children in our care.

Policy

We request that parents collect their children promptly at the end of the session/day to minimise this risk and also to prevent unnecessary distress to their child.

Parents are requested to contact nursery as soon as possible if they are aware that they are going to be delayed.  They are also requested to make alternative arrangements with family or friends so that the child can be collected on time.

If an alternative arrangement is made to collect the child, the parent must provide details to be entered in the collection book, which includes full contact details, and a question and answer (such as car colour, type or registration)

Procedure

In the event of a delay

1. If a parent contacts nursery to inform them of a delay, details of the phone call will be recorded in the late collection book.
2. If an alternative arrangement has been made for collection, details of the person collecting the child will be recorded in the collection book (see above).
3. A minimum of two members of staff will remain with the child at all times.
4. At no point will the staff or child leave the premises.
5. Staff will reassure the child and continue to provide activities for them if necessary.
6. Details of the late collection fee will be explained and the late collection book will be completed.

In the event of no prior notice

1. A minimum of two members of staff will remain with the child at all times.
2. If the manager is not on the premises, they will be contacted and informed of the situation.
3. At no point will the staff or child leave the premises.
4. Staff will reassure the child and continue to provide activities for them.

Ten minutes after the expected time of closure, a member of Pre-school staff will attempt to contact the parents of the child.

1. If no contact can be made, pre-school staff will wait a further five minutes and try again.
2. If there is still no contact possible, the emergency contact numbers will be tried.
3. If after all reasonable attempt to contact the parents have failed and we find staff no longer able to care for the child or the premises are closing we will then implement our Non Collection of Children policy.

Late collection fee

As part of this policy, the nursery has a late collection fee in place, which is £8 for every 15 minutes over the designated closure time or end of the session.

Procedure for implementing the fee

Parents will be given one warning after late collection, which will be recorded in the late collection book.  At the time of the second late collection, parents will be requested to complete the late collection book with the time of arrival and agree the fee which is to be paid, in accordance with current rates. If a parent/carer is more than 20 minutes late, even for a first time, having not collected their child and not contacted the setting the said charge will apply.

The fee will payable at the next session the child attends.  Failure to pay will incur an interest charge of 5% per day.

Registered Charity 1038628