---
title: "Running late or changing plans"
description: "How to tell your daycare you'll be late for pickup, sending someone else, or keeping your child home."
type: guide
updated: 2026-10-18
canonical_url: https://help.nestlicare.com/parents/check-in/running-late-or-changing-plans
roles: ["parent"]
platforms: [ios, android, web]
---
Running late, sending a backup, or keeping your child home for the day — the right move depends on what's changing.

Short version first: this narrated video marks a child absent for the day, then adds a grandparent as a pickup person.

<VideoEmbed
  src="phone-parent-absence-pickup"
  title="Report an absence, or add a pickup person (narrated, 80 seconds)"
  captions={false}
/>

## Running late for pickup

If you'll be past your daycare's normal close time:

1. Open the **Messages** tab and message your child's teacher. Say "Running about 20 minutes late, on my way."
2. If pickup is in the next 30 minutes, **also call the daycare's main number** — messages aren't guaranteed to be seen instantly.

<Callout kind="warning" title="Late-pickup fees are common">
Many daycares charge a fee for pickup after closing time. Your daycare's policy says how much. If you'll be late, call early so staff can plan.
</Callout>

We don't yet have a dedicated "I'm running late" button. Messaging is the simplest path today.

## Sending someone else to pick up

If you can't make it at all and want to send another person:

1. If they're not already on your family, add them as a family member — see [Add a pickup contact](/parents/account/add-a-pickup-contact). Their pickup code works right away; there is no approval to wait for.
2. Make sure they know **their own** 4-digit pickup code. If they have the app it's on the **YOUR PICKUP CODE** banner on their Dashboard tab; if they don't, read it to them from **Me → Family Pickup Codes**.
3. A courtesy message to the teacher ("Grandma Rose is picking up Sally today") is never required, but always appreciated.

<Callout kind="warning" title="Never share your own code">
Your pickup code identifies you, like a bank PIN. The person collecting your child uses *their* code, not yours. If you've already shared yours with someone, reset it with **New code** on the **YOUR PICKUP CODE** banner at the top of your **Dashboard** tab.
</Callout>

Make sure the person on the way is on your child's **approved contacts** list in your enrollment paperwork. If they're not, the daycare may refuse the pickup — call the center first to verify.

## Keeping your child home

Let the daycare know in the app.

**For today:** on the **Dashboard** tab, tap **Mark Absent** on your child's card. Add a reason if you like, and send.

**For today or another day:**

1. On iPhone, tap the **Absent** circle at the top of the **Home** tab. On Android, go to **Me** → **Report Absence**.
2. Pick your child and the date.
3. Add a reason if you like, and tap **Submit**.

The teachers see it right away.

A message to the teacher is a nice extra, never required.

### "Is your child coming in today?"

Some daycares turn on a morning check. If your child is due in and hasn't been checked in or reported absent by a set time, you get one notification asking whether they're coming in. Tap it to open **Report Absence** if they're staying home. If they're just running late, you can ignore it, or message the teacher. You'll only get it once a day.

## A big schedule change

If your whole week is shifting — say, you're on vacation next week:

1. Message the **center admin** (not just the teacher) via the Messages tab.
2. Include the dates and whether to pause or adjust your regular schedule.
3. For tuition questions (do you still pay that week?), ask your daycare. It depends on their policy.

## If your child's having a rough day and you want updates

Message the teacher and ask. "If she doesn't eat lunch please send a message, I can come pick her up early." Most teachers will set a reminder or just check in via the feed later.

## Troubleshooting

**Can't reach anyone and it's urgent.** Call the daycare's main number — that's the only real-time channel. The app is async.

**Message sent but the teacher is out today.** Your message sits in their inbox until they're back. For anything urgent, call the center, or message the center's director from **Messages**.

**Daycare said my "pickup contact" wasn't on the approved list.** They're not on your child's approved contacts list in your enrollment paperwork. Center policy still governs who may take a child, even with a working pickup code — staff can refuse anyone not on that list. Come get your child yourself, or update the paperwork with the center first.

**Got a late-pickup fee I didn't know about.** The fee is set by your center's late-pickup policy, usually stated in your enrollment docs. Message billing questions to your admin — they can waive it as a one-time courtesy, though they don't have to.