Arrivals and Departures Policy

Posted on October 15, 2025 by - Childcare Policies

  1. Purpose

First Kick Football recognises the importance of robust systems to ensure the safe arrival and departure of all children in our care. This policy is in line with the EYFS 2023 (paras 3.62–3.66, 3.78), the Equality Act 2010, and Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025. 

  1. Registers and Headcounts

– The manager will ensure an accurate record of all children is kept.
– Arrivals and departures will be recorded in the daily register, including times.
– The register will be accessible at all times on the premises.
– Regular headcounts will be conducted throughout each session. 

  1. Arrivals

– All children must be escorted to the Club by a parent or guardian.
– Staff will greet each child warmly and record their arrival immediately in the daily register. 

  1. Departures

– Parents or carers must sign children out, including time of collection.
– Children may only be collected by adults authorised on the registration form.
– In exceptional circumstances, parents may authorise another adult, provided the Club is informed in advance and a password system is used.
– Where staff have concerns about an individual collecting, the manager will contact the main parent/carer before releasing the child.
– Parents must inform the Club if they will be late collecting. Where this does not happen, the Uncollected Children Policy will be followed.
– Children over the age of 8 may leave the Club alone only with written parental consent, reviewed on a regular basis.
– Children under the age of 8 will not be permitted to leave unaccompanied under any circumstances. 

  1. Absences

– Parents must notify the Club in advance if their child will be absent.
– Where a child is absent without explanation, staff will:
  1. Contact parents or carers.
  2. Contact the school if necessary.
  3. Escalate to the manager who will contact the police if concerns remain.
– All absences and follow-up actions will be logged.
– Prolonged or repeated absences may indicate additional support needs, which will be raised with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). 

  1. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if required by changes in legislation or practice.