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Attendance & Absence Policy

Purpose and Scope

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This policy sets out the expectations and procedures for managing child attendance and responding to unexplained absences. Regular attendance is vital for children’s emotional, social, and educational development. Unexplained or prolonged absences may indicate safeguarding concerns, and must be acted upon promptly and appropriately.

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This policy applies to all children registered at Scallywags Nursery and their parents/carers.

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Aims of the Policy

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  • To promote regular attendance and punctuality.

  • To ensure that all children are safe and accounted for each day.

  • To identify and respond to absences promptly and in line with safeguarding procedures.

  • To ensure communication is clear and consistent between parents and the nursery team.

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Scallywags Nursery will follow up on absences in a timely manner. If a child is absent for a prolonged period of time, or if a child is absent without notification from the parent or carer, attempts will be made to contact the child’s parents and/or carers and alternative emergency contacts. 

 

Scallywags will consider patterns and trends in a child’s absences and their personal circumstances and use their professional judgement when deciding if the child’s absence should be considered as prolonged. 

 

Consideration will always be given to the child’s vulnerability, parent’s and/or carer’s vulnerability and their home life and any concerns must be referred to local children’s social care services and/or a police.

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Attendance Expectations

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  • Children are expected to attend the nursery on the days they are enrolled.

  • Arrival should be no later than 10:00 AM

  • If a child will be absent for any reason (e.g. illness, medical appointment, holiday), parents/carers must notify the nursery no later than 10:00 AM on the day of absence.

  • Notification should include:

    • Child’s full name

    • Reason for absence

    • Expected date of return (if known)

 

Notification can be made by:

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Phone call to nursery: Melbourne: 01332 862188 / Chellaston 01332 705070

Email to: Melbourne@scallywagsnursery.com / Chellaston@scallywagsnursery.com

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Nursery Actions in Case of Unreported Absence

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If a child does not arrive at the nursery and no communication has been received by 10:00 AM, the following steps will be taken:

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Step 1: First Contact Attempt – 10:00 – 10:30 AM

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  • A member of staff will call the primary parent/carer contact number.

  • If there is no answer, a voicemail will be left (where possible), requesting a call back and expressing concern for the child’s welfare.

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Step 2: Additional Contact Attempts – By 12.00 PM

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  • The nursery will try any other contact number on file, including secondary parents/carers and known emergency contacts.

  • All attempts to make contact will be recorded, including the time, method, and response (if any).

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Step 3: Unable to make contact 

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If we are unable to make contact with any of the child’s emergency contacts, but using our professional judgement we believe the child is safe and secure, we will make no further contact at this time and wait to see if the child attends for their next booked in session. If the child does not attend for an extended period of time (More than 3 weeks) and we are unable to contact anyone on the child’s emergency contact list, we will escalate to a safeguarding referral as below.

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Where we believe a child may be in danger, if we have not had any contact with anyone on the child’s emergency contact list, after 1 missed session, a referral will be made straight away.

 

Step 4: Escalation to Safeguarding Lead – By 12:00 PM

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If no contact has been made and the child’s whereabouts remain unknown as above in ‘unable to make contact’:

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  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) will be informed

  • The DSL will review the information and determine whether the absence may or may not be a cause for concern under safeguarding guidance.

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Step 5: Safeguarding Referral – By 1:00 PM

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If concerns about the child’s safety cannot be resolved:

  • The DSL may contact Children’s Social Care, Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), or the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) – will follow safeguarding policy and missing child policy.

  • If there are immediate safety concerns (e.g. known risks at home, previous incidents), the nursery may also contact the police via 101 or 999 in emergencies.

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All actions will be documented thoroughly in the child’s safeguarding record.

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Repeated or Prolonged Absences

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  • The nursery monitors attendance patterns and keeps records of all absences.

  • If a child has frequented unexplained absences, the nursery may request a meeting with the parent/carer to discuss:

    • Underlying reasons for absences

    • Support the nursery can offer

    • Whether an Early Help referral or other intervention is needed

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If appropriate, a Family Support Plan or Attendance Action Plan may be developed between the nursery and the parents.

Holidays and Planned Absences

 

Parents are required to inform the nursery in writing in advance of any planned holidays or absences.

 

Monitoring and Review

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  • This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if local safeguarding guidance changes.

  • Any significant incidents or referrals will also trigger a policy review to improve practice.

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Contact Information

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Nursery Manager: Mary Attwater / Sarah Butler
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): All nursery managers and deputy managers 
Contact Number: Melbourne: 01332 862188 / Chellaston 01332 705070
Email Address: Melbourne@scallywagsnursery.com / Chellaston@scallywagsnursery.com

 

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