Arrivals, Collection and Custody of Children Policy

Rationale:

The Service takes responsibility for ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for every child. We provide a continuity of care for children upon arrival and departure times to ensure the best transition into the service.

We protect the children’s feelings of self-worth and security whilst clarifying with the parents, any legal implications of situations concerning custodial matters.

Aim:

- To provide care and a safe environment for the children in the service.

- To safeguard the children in the service against any unauthorised attempt of removal from the service.

- For staff to make themselves available for informal chats at arrival and departure times.

Procedure:

Every parent, authorised person or custodial parent must sign their child into and out of care daily on the Service’s I-Pad in the children’s room or via the Xplor App on the parent’s phone. Children must be signed in every day they attend the service. These are a record of each child’s attendance at the Service. Each Authorised Person must have their own Email, Password and Pin to successfully sign in and out.

Educators will check the Services I-Pad every morning for attendances and numbers. In the afternoon, the educators cross check the children that have left the premises of the service.

Please ensure that you have taken home your child(ren’s) belongings from the lockers every day, as this is another method (visual) that help educators/staff to check that your child(ren) have left for the day.

Please ensure you have authorised through the Xplor app if another person is picking up your child. In case of changed circumstances where the parent/authorised person are not able to pick up the child(ren), educators/staff are to call the parents/authorised person to obtain verbal permission for another person to pick up their child(ren).

On arrival

On arrival, your child should be taken to their teacher in his/her group. This gives you the opportunity to convey any relevant information about your child that may be necessary for their well-being and happiness throughout the day. This also permit’s the educators to welcome your child personally. Parents and Educator contact is often made on the run but if a longer discussion with staff is required, please feel free to phone us during the day to arrange an appointment. Any information concerning your child’s development, skills, etc. should be discussed with their educator.

On departure

If an Educator becomes aware of any change in the delivery and collection arrangement of a child (which has not been authorised), they must notify the Nominated Supervisor immediately.

If a minor (under 18 years of age) attempts to deliver/collect a child (regardless of parental permission) the Nominated Supervisor must be informed immediately. This will enable immediate follow up with the parents, safety and legal concerns, and related signing in/out issues.

In the case of a parent forgetting to sign their child(ren) in /out, the Nominated Supervisor or educators will sign in the child. Xplor will notify the Parent/Guardian that the Educator has signed their child(ren) in or out of Care.

Early Departure

The children will be permitted to leave the premises at any time with a parent or authorised person. This does not include a non-custodial parent.

Custody

If a court order, parenting order and/or parenting plan from the Family Court exists in relation to custody/access arrangements for a particular child, the parent will be advised upon enrolment to supply a copy of these documents to the Nominated Supervisor prior to the child commencing care. Unauthorised parent will not have access to Xplor app.

If an unauthorised person (including a non-custodial parent) attempts to collect a child, the educators/staff are required to;

Inform that person that they were unaware that he/she was collecting the child
Ask that person to wait, while you confirm the changed arrangement - either through other staff (office), or by calling parent/authorised person
Ensure that another staff member is present as you deal with the unauthorised person
Inform that person that the child cannot leave the Service unless staff have verbal or written authority of the changed arrangements from a parent/authorised person

In the case of a custody battle an unauthorised person (including a non-custodial parent) tries to forcibly remove the child, do not try to physically stop him/her.

Inform the Responsible Person in Charge
Responsible Person in Charge is to try and speak to the unauthorised person calmly. An educator will contact the parent/authorised person or emergency contact (as in the child’s enrolment form) about the unauthorised person. In case of no contact the police will be contacted (000).
Educators are to take the child(ren) to designated area of the service. (As per the Service’s Lockdown procedure)
Responsible Person in Charge and educators will gather details of the unauthorised person. (e.g. Car registration number, description of person, direction of travel)

In case of a D.V.O/court order against a parent/non-custodial parent to keep a certain distance from the aggrieved spouse/partner/child(ren) and/or the Kindy premises. If the person enters the Kindy premises, staff are to adhere to and comply with the DVO/court order. If in breach of the DVO/court order,

Staff are to ring 000 (police)
Inform the Responsible Person in Charge
Responsible Person in Charge is to try and speak to the unauthorised person calmly. An educator/staff will contact the parent/authorised person and inform them that a call has been made to 000 Police)

Maintain a calm and normal routine. It is now a police matter.

The Service’s doors will not be opened until 7.30am as the educators are required to use the morning to prepare playgrounds and rooms for the day. Our liability insurance will not cover any child for accidents and injuries prior to 7.30am. We also encourage all families to arrive at least 10 minutes before closing time in order to discuss their child’s day with the staff. The Centre closes at 6.30pm sharp and staff cannot stay beyond this time unless prior arrangements have been made for an appointment.

Note: Each morning and afternoon the rooms combine. This is due to the staff’s shifts beginning and ending at different times, and the number of children in each room being lower at these periods of the day.

Fuji II rooms combine between 7.30am and 10.00am and then again in the afternoon between 3.30pm and 5.30pm in the yard, during bad weather they will stay in the Kiku room until numbers are low enough for them to combine in Sumire.

Fuji I rooms combine between 7.30am and 8.30am and then again in the afternoon between 4.30pm and 5.00pm in the yard. After this time, all children combine in the Sumire Room. This is also the room that the children combine in, when there is bad weather.

The centre closes at 6.30pm sharp. The parent/authorised person picking up the child after this time will be asked to fill out the ‘Late Pick Up’ Form. This form acknowledges the parent/authorised person of being late and that an incursion of $20.00 (fee) and a fine of $5.00 per minute thereafter will be added to the fees.

YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE CENTRE WITH ANY ADULT OTHER THAN THE PARENTS OR AUTHORISED PERSONS NAMED ON THE CHILD’S ENROLMENT FORM OR ON XPLOR.

IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES IN THE PERSON NAMED TO DROP OFF OR PICK UP A CHILD(REN), THEN THE PARENTS MUST CONTACT THE CENTRE AND ADVISE US OF THE PERSON TO DO SO. THIS PERSON MUST PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION TO EDUCATORS BEFORE THE CHILD WILL BE PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE CENTRE

The authorized adult must be over 18 years of age.

Link to NQF: Quality Area 2 Children’s health and safety

Quality Area 5 Relationships with children

Element 5.1.1 Responsive and meaningful interactions build trusting relationships which engage and support each child to feel secure, confident and included.

Quality Area 6 Collaborative partnerships with families and communities

Standard 6.1 Respectful relationships with families are developed and maintained and families are supported in their parenting role.

Standard 6.2 Collaborative partnerships enhance children’s inclusion, learning and wellbeing.

Element 6.2.2 Effective partnerships support children's access, inclusion and participation in the program.

Source: Dept. of Communities, Child Safety & Disability Services, Education & Care Services National Regulations, ACECQA

Form Reviewed: December 2020