It is important that you arrive at the contracted time to collect your child. Even very young children learn our routine and know when their parents are due. They can become distressed if you are late. I know sometimes delays are unavoidable. If you are delayed, for whatever reason 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 reassure your child that you are on the way and if necessaryorganiseadditional activities.
If a child is not collected within 30 minutes and I have not heard from the parents, I will try contacting them, I will then try the emergency contact numbers. During this time, I will continue to look after the child. After one hour from the original agreed collection time, if I have not heard from the parents or emergency contact, I will contact the Local Authority duty social worker and follow their advice.
Who can collect the children?
The question of who can collect children from my home has been recorded in the contract. Those who are not named will not be able to pick up the child. If there is an emergency situation and a known person cannot pick up the child, then I would operate a password system and would appreciate (where possible) a photograph of the adult picking the child up.
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 I am informed of this. I do not have the right to prevent a divorced parent from collecting their child if a Court Order is not in place.
If I suspect or know that a parent is likely to be violent or unfit to take the child, I am within my 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’.