Children’s Attendance Policy

This policy aims to ensure consistent attendance among enrolled children to promote routine, early development, and effective planning of nursery activities. Regular attendance supports children’s emotional security and helps build strong relationships with practitioners and peers.

Winston’s Place believes that good attendance is essential, if children are to be settled and take full advantage of the learning and development opportunities available to them at nursery. Continuity and consistency from a young age are important contributors to a child’s wellbeing and progress.

This policy applies to all children registered at Winston’s Place, their parents/guardians, and staff responsible for recording and monitoring attendance.

Expectations of Attendance
• Children are expected to attend the nursery on their booked days and times
• Parents are encouraged to establish a consistent routine to support their child’s development
• While we understand absences due to illness, family emergencies, or holidays, frequent unexplained absences may be addressed in line with this policy
• Attendance is not a statutory requirement; however, monitoring attendance is essential for safeguarding and promoting each child’s wellbeing and progress

Notification of Absence

Parents/guardians must:
• Notify the nursery by 9am on the day of absence
• Inform the nursery of the reason for the absence (e.g. illness, holiday, emergency)
• Notify the nursery in advance of planned absences such as holidays or appointments

Notifications can be made via:
 Telephone:
o Birkenhead- 0151 653 8307
o New Ferry- 0151 641 9574
 Email:
o Birkenhead- winstonsplace@wirralchristiancentre.com
o New Ferry- winstons.nf@wirralchristiancentre.com
 Ovivio App

It is the duty of Winston’s Place to ensure that we follow up on all child absences from the first day of absence. This is to ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing, in line with safeguarding requirements under the Children Act (1989/2004) and EYFS (2021) guidance.

Illness and Exclusion Periods

Children must remain at home if they are unwell, especially if they have contagious conditions.

Nursery follows NHS guidance in conjunction with our Sickness Policy. Parents are asked to follow the nursery guidance for common infectious diseases to prevent the spread of illness within the setting.

Monitoring Attendance

Records of children’s attendance are accurately kept and regularly monitored to ensure that we can identify any potential problems and look for patterns. All managers and staff are alert to signs that children and learners who are missing might be at risk of abuse or neglect, and appropriate action is taken when children stop attending. While we are aware that attendance is not statutory, we recognise that non-attendance could be an indicator of other concerns. All managers and staff are particularly aware of the need to monitor groups such as those who are considered to be vulnerable learners.

Non-attendance:
• If a child is absent and we are informed of their reason for absence this will be recorded on the register
• If a child is absent without an explanation a telephone call (to priority and secondary numbers, e.g. home and work) will be made to the main carer to establish the reason for the absence
• If no contact is made, then we will follow this process:
o Contact any second main carer (to priority and secondary numbers, e.g. home and work)
o Contact the first emergency contact number
o Contact the second emergency contact number.
• If there continues to be no contact and there is cause for concern, the health visiting service and/or the Children and Family service will be contacted to ascertain if family support may be needed
• In more urgent cases, the police may be contacted to carry out a welfare check.

Leaving the nursery

If you decide to withdraw your child from the nursery, please see our Parent Contract and Terms and Conditions for notice periods. This will ensure that we remove your child from our systems and therefore will not expect them to attend.

If your child is transitioning to another early years provider or school, please provide us with the details of the new setting so that we can transfer essential information, such as their funding eligibility code.

Persistent or Unexplained Absence

Where there is ongoing concern:
• A meeting will be arranged with the parent/guardian
• Support will be offered to resolve any underlying issues (e.g. separation anxiety, transportation)
• Continued non-attendance without valid reason may result in a review of the child’s place at the nursery

Late Collections

Late collection (beyond agreed time) will result in late fees as outlined in the ‘Late Collection and Non-Collection of Children’ Policy.

Frequent lateness may prompt a discussion with parents to support punctuality.

Safeguarding and Welfare

Unexplained absences, especially for vulnerable children, will be followed up in line with our Safeguarding Policy. If contact cannot be made with a family, we will notify the Local Authority as appropriate.

Attendance data about a child will also be shared with other professionals whom families receive additional support from including Social Care or Early Help.

Any safeguarding concerns which may arise from a concern with regards to attendance will be referred to the Safeguarding Lead/Deputy as per the Safeguarding Policy.

To support good attendance and safeguarding we:
• Ensure the nursery is welcoming and every child feels a sense of belonging
• Ensure the regular, efficient and accurate recording of attendance is completed by the staff each day. This further supports our approach to safeguarding within Winston’s Place.
• Ensure all half terms and bank holidays are given to parents/carers in advance
• Safeguarding is taken seriously, and we will always contact you if you have not made contact with us regarding your child’s absence