Setting: Little Wonderland Nursery
Responsible Person: Nursery Manager/Deputy Manager

1. Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that all children attending Little Wonderland Nursery are safely handed over between parents/carers and nursery staff at arrival and collection times. This procedure supports children's safety, wellbeing, safeguarding, and continuity of care whilst maintaining the security of the nursery premises.

2. Scope

This procedure applies to:

• All children attending the nursery.
• Parents, carers, and authorised collectors.
• All nursery staff, students, volunteers, apprentices, and agency workers.
• All visitors and contractors attending the nursery premises.

3. General Principles

Little Wonderland Nursery will:

• Ensure every child is personally handed over to a member of staff upon arrival.
• Ensure every child is personally handed over to an authorised adult at collection.
• Maintain accurate attendance records.
• Follow safeguarding procedures where concerns arise regarding a child's welfare or collection arrangements.
• Respect confidentiality whilst sharing relevant information to support children's care and wellbeing.
• Maintain a secure environment through controlled access to the nursery premises.
• Operate a "known and verified person" approach to entry and collection.
• Ensure safeguarding considerations always take priority over convenience.

All external doors must remain secure at all times and access must only be granted in accordance with this procedure.

4. Staff Authorisation

Only fully qualified members of staff are authorised to:

• Open the nursery door to parents, carers, visitors, contractors, and other adults.
• Conduct arrival and collection handovers.
• Verify the identity of adults collecting children.
• Admit visitors to the nursery premises.
• Make decisions regarding entry where identity verification is required.

Students, apprentices, volunteers, work experience students, and unqualified staff must not:

• Open the nursery door to visitors or parents.
• Conduct child handovers independently.
• Verify collector identities.

5. Door Entry and Visitor Identification Procedure

To maintain the safety and security of children and staff, all access to the nursery must be controlled.

Before opening the nursery door, staff must:

1. Check the intercom and camera system to identify the person requesting entry.
2. Ensure the individual's face is clearly visible on the camera.
3. If the individual cannot be clearly seen, ask them to move into view of the camera before any further action is taken.
4. Confirm that the person is known to the nursery or is an expected visitor.
5. Request identification where appropriate.

The door must never be opened to any person who:

• Cannot be clearly identified through the camera system.
• Refuses to come into view of the camera.
• Is unknown to staff and has no prior appointment or authorisation.
• Raises safeguarding, welfare, or security concerns.

Where there is any uncertainty regarding a person's identity or purpose for visiting, staff must seek guidance from the Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager, or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) before allowing entry.

6. Arrival Handover Procedure

Parent/Carer Responsibilities

Upon arrival, parents/carers must:

1. Accompany their child into the nursery entrance or reception area.
2. Ensure a member of staff is aware of the child's arrival.
3. Share any relevant information regarding:
   • The child's health and wellbeing.
   • Medication requirements.
   • Changes in routine.
   • Sleep patterns.
   • Dietary concerns.
   • Accidents or injuries sustained before attendance.
   • Collection arrangements for that day.

Parents/carers must not leave the premises until a member of staff has accepted responsibility for the child.

Staff Responsibilities

The staff member receiving the child will:

1. Greet the child and parent/carer.
2. Record attendance accurately.
3. Obtain and record any significant information relevant to the child's care in the child’s personal plan file.
4. Observe the child's general wellbeing.
5. Record any pre-existing injuries in accordance with nursery procedures.
6. Support the child in settling into the nursery environment.

7. Collection Handover Procedure

Authorised Collectors

Children will only be released to:

• A parent with parental responsibility.
• An individual named on the child's registration records.
• A person authorised by the parent/carer in advance.

Staff Responsibilities

Before releasing a child, staff must:

1. Confirm the identity of the collecting adult.
2. Check collection authorisation records where required.
3. Request photographic identification if the collector is not immediately recognised.
4. Ensure all relevant information is shared regarding:
   • Meals and snacks consumed.
   • Sleep and rest periods.
   • Nappy changes or toileting information.
   • Activities and achievements.
   • Accidents, incidents, or injuries.
   • Medication administered.
   • General wellbeing and development observations.
5. Record the child's departure using the nursery attendance system.

Children must never leave the premises unaccompanied.

The safety and welfare of the child must always take priority over collection convenience.

8. Collection by an Unauthorised Person

If an unknown or unauthorised person arrives to collect a child:

1. They will NOT be permitted into the nursery but will be asked to wait outside.
2. The child must remain under nursery supervision.
3. Staff must request identification.
4. Staff must contact the parent/carer using the contact details held on file.
5. The child must not be released until authorisation has been confirmed.
6. The Nursery Manager/Deputy Manager of must  be informed immediately.

9. Late Collection Procedure

If a child has not been collected at the agreed time:

1. Staff will attempt to contact the parent/carer immediately.
2. If unsuccessful, emergency contacts will be contacted.
3. The child will remain supervised by qualified staff.
4. The nursery's Uncollected Child Procedure will be followed.
5. Safeguarding procedures will be implemented where appropriate.
6. Any applicable late collection fees may be charged in accordance with nursery policy.

10. Safeguarding Concerns at Collection

Little Wonderland Nursery has a duty to safeguard all children.

If a collecting adult:

• Appears under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Behaves aggressively or threateningly.
• Appears unable to care for the child safely.
• Gives rise to safeguarding concerns.

Staff will:

1. Inform the Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager, or Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately.
2. Assess the immediate risk to the child.
3. Explore alternative authorised collectors where possible.
4. Seek advice from relevant safeguarding agencies if required.
5. Record all actions, discussions, and decisions.

The welfare of the child will remain the primary consideration at all times.

11. Separated Parents

Where parents are separated:

• Both parents will generally have access to information relating to their child unless legal restrictions apply.
• The nursery must be provided with copies of any relevant court orders or legal documentation.
• Staff will follow the instructions contained within legal documentation and seek management guidance where required.
• Collection arrangements will be managed in accordance with safeguarding requirements and legal responsibilities.

12. Record Keeping

The nursery will maintain accurate records of:

• Daily attendance.
• Arrival and departure times.
• Authorised collectors.
• Visitor access where applicable.
• Accidents and incidents.
• Medication administration.
• Safeguarding concerns.
• Communication relating to collection arrangements.

All records will be stored securely and managed in accordance with data protection legislation and nursery confidentiality procedures.

13. Related Policies

This procedure should be read alongside:

• Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
• Visitor and Site Security Policy
• Uncollected Child Procedure
• Missing Child Procedure
• Attendance Policy
• Medication Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Data Protection Policy
• Confidentiality Policy

Approved By: ____Stacey Sneddon______________________________

Position: _______Nursery Manager______________________________

Signature: _____S.Sneddon_______________________________

Date: ____6/6/26____________________________________