Creating a smooth and secure transition at the beginning and end of each day is essential for your child’s sense of comfort and safety. Our Arrival and Departure Policy outlines the expectations for drop-off and pick-up procedures, authorized individuals, and daily sign-in and sign-out requirements. This ensures each child is accounted for at all times, and it helps us provide the safest environment possible — while also meeting state licensing regulations.

In this section, we’ll walk you through our center’s arrival and departure routines, who is permitted to pick up your child, how we handle late arrivals or late pick-ups, and what to do in special circumstances like custody arrangements or emergencies.

🕗 Drop-Off Procedures (Arrival)

• Drop-off window: 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM. Arrivals outside this time may disrupt routines and learning activities.

• Daily health check: Upon arrival, a staff member will perform a brief wellness check to ensure your child is symptom-free and ready for care.

• Parent/guardian role: Parents must accompany children into the building and directly to their classroom.

• Classroom sign-in: A parent or guardian must sign the child in via [method — paper log, electronic app, kiosk, etc.], noting the time and initials. This step is required by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

🕔 Pick-Up Procedures (Departure)

• Pick-up window: Children must be picked up no later than 5:00 PM.

• Classroom hand-off: Please check in with the teacher before taking your child. Staff will provide a brief update on the day.

• Parent/guardian sign-out: All children must be signed out using the same method as drop-off.

• Late pick-up: Families arriving after closing time will be charged a late fee of [$X per minute]. Chronic lateness may result in a meeting or suspension from the program.

👨‍👩‍👧 Authorized Pick-Ups

• Children will only be released to parents, guardians, or adults listed on the child’s Emergency Contact and Release Form.

• Staff will ask for a valid photo ID if the individual is not personally known to them.

• To add or update an authorized pick-up person, parents must notify the director in writing — either via email or through the parent communication app.

⚖️ Custody Arrangements

• If there are court orders or custody agreements that affect drop-off/pick-up rights, a certified copy must be provided to the director.

• Without legal documentation, both parents listed on the enrollment forms will be considered authorized to pick up the child.

• We cannot deny a parent access to their child unless there is a court order stating otherwise.

🚨 Emergency Pick-Up

• In an emergency where a parent or listed contact cannot pick up, a temporary pick-up arrangement can be made.

• The director must be contacted directly, and the adult arriving must show photo ID and be approved verbally or in writing by the parent.

We appreciate your partnership in making daily transitions safe, respectful, and predictable for your child. If you ever have a change in schedule or need support during arrival or pick-up times, please let us know — we’re here to help make each day start and end smoothly.