If a non-custodial parent has been denied access, or granted limited access to a child by a court order, the center shall secure documentation to that effect, maintain a copy on file, and comply with the terms of the court order.

If the parent/guardian(s) or person(s) authorized by the parent(s) fails to pick up the child at the time of the center’s daily closing, the center shall ensure that:-

1) The child is supervised at all times;

2) Staff members attempt to contact the parent/guardian(s) or person(s) authorized by the parent/guardian(s); and

3) An hour or more after closing time, and provided that other arrangements for releasing the child to his/her parent/guardian(s) or person(s) authorized by the parent/guardian(s), have failed and the staff member(s) cannot continue to supervise the child at the center, the staff member shall call the Division’s 24 hour Child Abuse Hotline (1-877-652-2873) to seek assistance in caring for the child until the parent/guardian(s) or person(s) authorized by the child’s parent(s) is able to pick up the child.

If the parent/guardian(s) or person(s) authorized by the parent(s) appears to be physically and/or emotionally impaired to the extent that, in the judgement of the director and/or staff member, the child would be placed at risk of harm if released to such an individual, the center shall ensure that:-

1) The child may not be released to such an impaired individual;

2) Staff members attempt to contact the child’s other parent, guardian or an alternative person(s) authorized by the parents/guardian(s); and

3) If the center is unable to make alternative arrangements, a staff member shall call the Division’s 24 hour Child Abuse Hotline (1-877-652-2873) to seek assistance in caring for the child.

For school-age childcare programs, no child shall be released from the program unsupervised except upon written instruction form the child’s parent/guardian(s).

DYFS-Bureau of Licensing

3A:52-6.5 Policy on the Release of Children