Each child may be released only to the child’s parent or person(s) authorized by the parent to take the child from the center and to assume responsibility for the child in an emergency if the parent cannot be reached.

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

If a child is not picked up by closing time

If the parent or person authorized by the parent fails to pick up a child at the time of the center’s daily closing, the center will ensure that:

• The child is supervised at all times.
• Staff members attempt to contact the parent or person authorized by the parent.
• If an hour or more passes after closing time, other arrangements for releasing the child have failed, and a staff member cannot continue to supervise the child, the staff member will call the 24-hour State Central Registry Hotline at 1-877-NJ-ABUSE to seek assistance in caring for the child until the parent or an authorized person is able to pick up the child.

If a person appears impaired at pickup

If the parent or authorized person appears to be physically and/or emotionally impaired to the extent that, in the judgment of the staff member, the child would be placed at risk of harm if released to that individual, the center will ensure the following:

• The child may not be released to the impaired individual.
• Staff members attempt to contact the child’s other parent or an alternative authorized person.
• If the center is unable to make alternative arrangements, a staff member will call the 24-hour State Central Registry Hotline at 1-877-NJ-ABUSE to seek assistance in caring for the child.

For school-aged child care programs, no child will be released from the program unsupervised except upon written instructions from the child’s parent.