Unauthorized Adult Attempting or Gaining Access

Unauthorized Adult Attempting or Gaining Access There should also be policies and procedures in place to keep children safe from unauthorized persons on grounds of the early care and education program. Programs may choose to have entrances that are locked and only accessed through codes (each authorized person should have their own code) or by being buzzed in by a member of program staff.

Programs can also use cameras to monitor and record the entrances of the building, common spaces, hallways, classrooms, and outdoor spaces. Alarms and panic buttons are also something programs can consider using for added protection (and alarms protect the grounds even after hours of operation). The front desk/entrance should be staffed with someone who can check each person entering to ensure they have been authorized to have access by matching their ID to the child’s record of authorized persons. Sign-in sheets should be used to document who is dropping each child off and who has picked them up. It is important to note that, unless the program has received a court order limiting the parent’s rights to custody, children cannot be kept from a parent. The one exception to this is that according to California law, a program can deny access to an adult whose behavior presents a risk to children in the program. According to the California Department of Social Services and the Child Care Advocate Program, if a parent comes to pick up their child while inebriated or under the influence of drugs, child care providers must:

 Make every effort to prevent the parent from taking the child by taking the recommended steps

 Attempt to delay departure until you can contact another authorized person to pick the child up.

 Consider calling the police if the person refuses to cooperate or acts in a threatening manner

 If the child is taken, write down a description of the vehicle and the license plate and report the situation to the parent/legal guardian and/or police.