Purpose

This policy and the procedures will help support the safe arrival and dismissal of children receiving care in our childcare and school age programs.

This policy will provide educators, students and volunteers with a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities for ensuring the safe arrival and dismissal of children receiving care, including what steps are to be taken when a child does not arrive at the childcare centre as expected, as well as steps to follow to ensure the safe dismissal of children.

This policy is intended to fulfill the obligations set out under Ontario Regulation 137/15 for policies and procedures regarding the safe arrival and dismissal of children in care.

Policy

The safety of the children attending Kids Come First Child Care Services (Kids Come First or KCF) programs is one of our top priorities. We need to work together with parents, guardians, KCF teachers and our host schools to ensure our children are safe. In response to increased public service announcements (PSA) regarding children being left in cars, a safe arrival strategy has been developed to ensure that no child is accidentally left in a locked car. Forgotten Baby Syndrome (FBS) refers to accidentally leaving a baby or young child in a locked car, often with tragic results. One of the prevention strategies, identified in research, is to ensure that child care programs have a system in place to connect with parents should a child not arrive in care when expected. Strong communication is required in order to ensure all children are where they are supposed to be.

The safety and wellbeing of your children is a high priority for Kids Come First Child Care Services. We are asking that parents call the centre in the event that their child will be absent.

Parents are requested to inform the Centre in the event the child will be away for sickness, absence or vacation. If there is no voice mail or written documentation (email or letter), Staff will follow up with families by phone (leaving a message) and email. After three days, should staff be unable to confirm the absence, the staff will contact the local police for a wellness check.

Kids Come First will ensure that any child receiving care at the child care centre is only released to the child’s parent/guardian or an individual that the parent or guardian has provided written authorization the child care centre may release the child to.

Kids Come First will only dismiss children into the care of their parent/guardian or another authorized individual.  The centre will not release any children from care without supervision. Where a child does not arrive in care as expected or is not picked up as expected, staff must follow the safe arrival and dismissal procedures set out below.