Identifying people on the authorized list

From: Holly Elissa
Email: hollyelissab@comcast.net
Date: May 23, 2007

Comments

Here are some practices directors have told me they use to make sure only authorized adults pick up children:

1) Check driver's license;

2) Require each person on the list to come in to meet you when their name is put on the list;

3) Ask for the person's signature. Keep that in the file. When the person comes in to pick up the child, ask the person to sign in. Compare signatures.

4) Use an electronic card system (not feasible or affordable for many centers). Each person gets her own secret code to key in when s/he arrives to pick up the child.

5) Have a written policy in your Parent Handbook that states a minimum age requirement to be on the authorized list: "Persons on the authorized list must be at least 18 years of age, and able to supply documentation of their age and identity."

On this one, state licensing requirements differ. Ohio, for example, allows parents considerable leeway. Licensing standards are often the minimum standard required. You can make your policy more stringent. Please consider a stricter policy for who can pick up children. Otherwise, you may have an older sister who is 12 on the list.

6) Hold a parent meeting on your practices at release time. Explain your reasoning, and your commitment to making sure that children and their families are able to reunite comfortably and safely w/o incident.

7) If (some one who says s/he is) Gramma (or Tante or Zia or Pepe) arrives to pick up the child and is not on the authorized list, respectfully advise that person of your policy, while calling the family member who created the list. If you think of the story of King Solomon, you'll recall that a concerned parent would prefer that you have stringent standards, even if that means a temporary inconvenience.

Other practices that you have found work for you?