EYFS 2024 > Approaches to teaching and learning > 1.16
EYFS 2024 > A quality workforce focused on learning and development and health and safety > 1.19
EYFS 2024 > Section 3 – The safeguarding and welfare requirements
EYFS 2024 > Key person > 3.34
Through regular attendance, children build up the secure attachments they need for healthy development. A regular routine supports the young child to feel settled and secure. Unsettled children have higher stress levels which in turn prevent them from being able to benefit fully from the learning opportunities available.
Studies show that children who regularly attend their nursery have better early academic attainment and social-emotional well-being than those who do not attend. Children with good early years attendance also perform better than their peers at the end of Reception. This means that a lack of attendance could affect your child’s learning and development.
Therefore, regular, and punctual attendance is paramount so that all children have full access to the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.
All children are expected to attend regularly on their scheduled days and times. Consistent attendance fosters a stable environment and supports continuity in learning. Parents/guardians should make every effort to ensure their child attends nursery as scheduled, except in cases of illness or unavoidable circumstances.
If a child is unable to attend due to illness or any other reason, parents/guardians must inform the nursery as soon as possible on the day of absence, ideally before the child’s session begins. For planned absences, such as holidays, parents/guardians are requested to inform the nursery in advance, providing dates and reasons for the absence.
Parents are advised not to bring children to nursery if they are unwell, particularly if symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, or contagious infections. Children should be symptom-free for 48 hours before returning.
Authorised absences include sickness, family emergencies, and other situations agreed upon in advance with nursery management.
Unauthorised absences are absences without prior notice or explanation may be considered unauthorised and will be monitored by nursery management.
Attendance will be recorded daily, and patterns of attendance will be reviewed periodically. The nursery will get in touch with families if attendance patterns raise concerns. For children eligible for government-funded hours, attendance records may need to be shared with local authorities as per funding requirements.
If a child’s attendance falls below the nursery’s acceptable threshold of 85% attendance, nursery staff will arrange a meeting with the parents/guardians to discuss potential barriers to attendance and offer support if needed. In cases of persistent absenteeism, the nursery reserves the right to review the child’s place and, if necessary, involve external agencies for additional support.
It is essential that children arrive on time for their scheduled session to minimize disruption and ensure they fully participate in all activities. Parents are encouraged to contact the nursery if they expect to be late. Repeated lateness may prompt a discussion with parents to explore solutions.
In the case of prolonged, unexplained absence or persistent non-attendance, the nursery may review the child’s place. Parents/guardians will be notified and given the opportunity to discuss circumstances before any decision is made.
The nursery aims to work in partnership with parents/guardians to promote regular attendance and will provide support where possible. If a family is experiencing difficulties that impact attendance, they are encouraged to discuss these with nursery staff to explore possible solutions.
If you decide to move your child to another nursery, then please inform us so that we can send records to them to ensure a smooth transition and we can take them off our register.
We all have a duty to keep children safe and protect them from harm. Poor attendance can be seen as a safeguarding issue.
Review date: 31 December 2025
