Attendance & Child Absence Policy

1. Mandatory Same-Day Absence Follow-Up

Regular attendance is essential for early childhood development and child safety. If a child is absent without prior written or verbal notification from parents, nursery administration implements the same-day contact protocol immediately after morning roll-call:

1

First Attempt: Direct Telephone Call

The administrative team phones the primary parent/guardian within 1 hour of session start to inquire about the child's health and reason for absence.

2

Second Attempt: Official WhatsApp / Email

If the call is unanswered, an urgent WhatsApp message and email are dispatched requesting immediate confirmation of the child's status.

3

Official Absence Log Entry (Annex H4)

All calls, timestamps, parent replies, or failed contact attempts are logged in the Illness & Absence Follow-up Log (Annex H4).

2. Absence as a Safeguarding Indicator

Safeguarding Notification Protocol When a child is absent for 2 or more consecutive days without explanation, or if repeated sporadic absences occur without medical justification, the case is immediately referred to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL/CPC) to verify child safety.

If family contact cannot be established and concern escalates, the DSL initiates home welfare checks or reports the case to the Sharjah Child Helpline (800700) in compliance with SPEA safeguarding standards.

3. Illness-Related Absence & Return Criteria

To prevent the spread of infectious illnesses among young children, parents must adhere to mandatory exclusion periods:

Condition / Symptom	Mandatory Exclusion Period	Return-to-Nursery Requirement
Fever (38°C or above)	24 hours fever-free	Without fever-reducing medication
Vomiting or Diarrhea	48 hours after last episode	Normal diet tolerated, fully hydrated
Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease	Until all blisters have crusted	Doctor's medical fitness certificate
Chickenpox (Varicella)	Minimum 5–7 days from rash onset	All vesicles dry and scabbed over
Conjunctivitis (Eye Infection)	Until discharge has resolved	24 hours after commencing antibiotic drops

Extended Absence: For absences exceeding 3 consecutive days due to illness, a medical certificate from a licensed UAE physician must be submitted upon return.

Annex H4: Absence Follow-up Log Annex S4: Safeguarding Case Log

Attendance & Child Absence Policy

1. Mandatory Same-Day Absence Follow-Up

First Attempt: Direct Telephone Call

Second Attempt: Official WhatsApp / Email

Official Absence Log Entry (Annex H4)

2. Absence as a Safeguarding Indicator

3. Illness-Related Absence & Return Criteria

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