June 22, 2026
Advice corner for parents

Who can pick up a child from preschool?

A child from preschool may be picked up primarily by parents or legal guardians, but also by individuals named in a written authorization—including grandparents, an aunt, an uncle, or a nanny. In reality, however, this issue can be a bit more complicated. Parents of young children often wonder whether an older sibling can pick up a child from preschool, what to do if we haven’t submitted the appropriate statement to the preschool, and at the last minute something came up and we can’t pick up our son or daughter from the facility.

In this case, we should take a closer look at who is authorized to pick up a child from preschool. It’s important to know that very often it’s not just a matter of the person’s age, but also their competence and whether they will be able to ensure the preschooler’s safe return home.

Table of contents

Who Can Pick Up a Child from Preschool—Key Rules

A child may be picked up from preschool by their parents or legal guardians, as well as by individuals with special authorization. Exceptions apply in cases where parental authority or the ability to have contact with the child has been restricted by a court. However, the preschool must be informed of this fact so that it can properly comply with the court’s orders.

The preschool is also required to treat parents equally. If they are in the process of divorcing or are disputing custody of the child, the preschool cannot unilaterally decide not to release the child to one of them. This can only happen if the preschool receives an appropriate ruling from a family court. In that case, it is absolutely required to comply with the court’s decision.

Can minors pick up a child from preschool?

The question of whether a minor can pick up a child from preschool is somewhat more complicated, so it’s worth taking a closer look at it. Here, we can refer, among other things, to the Road Traffic Act, where Article 43 states that:

A child under 7 years of age may use the road only when accompanied by a person who is at least 10 years old. This does not apply to residential zones.

At this point, however, we should consider whether a 10-year-old is capable of providing adequate protection for a preschooler and ensuring a safe return home. This is, of course, a very individual matter, but for the child’s well-being, many preschools raise this age limit in their bylaws. In many preschools, the minimum age for a person to pick up a child is 13, and in some, it is 16.

Detailed rules regarding who may pick up a child from preschool—as specified in Article 102 of the Education Law—should be included in the facility’s bylaws. In practice, this means that every preschool must clearly specify who is authorized to pick up a child and what requirements must be met. The child’s best interests should be the primary consideration here.

What should be included in an authorization to pick up a child from preschool?

An authorization form for picking up a child from preschool is a very important document, so it’s important to know exactly what it should include. Of course, the specific details may vary depending on the facility, but the information included should, above all, allow for the easy identification of the person who wishes to pick up the child from the facility. For this reason, the form should include:

the child's first and last name (sometimes also the date of birth or preschool class);
the parent's or legal guardian's information;
information about the person authorized to pick up the child from preschool—first and last name, ID number (identity card or passport), PESEL number;
the date the authorization was issued;
a legible, handwritten signature of a parent or legal guardian.

It is also important to specify the time period during which the authorized person may pick up the child from preschool. Sometimes this authorization is valid for the entire year (for example, in the case of grandparents, nannies, or other close relatives), but there are also cases where such a statement allows for a one-time pickup of the child from preschool. In such a case, there is one important thing to keep in mind. If a person comes to the preschool with such a statement, the preschool teacher must be certain that it is authentic.

It may therefore happen that preschool staff will want to verify this information, for example, by calling the child’s parents. This is primarily out of concern for the child’s safety and to ensure that the person in question is responsible and that the child will be safe with them.

Can a preschool refuse to release a child to an authorized person?

Yes, in some cases, a preschool may refuse to release a child even if the person has the appropriate authorization. This applies to situations where a teacher determines that the person in question will not be able to ensure the child’s safety—for example, if the person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In such a situation, a preschool employee is not only prohibited from releasing the child but is also required to instruct the authorized person to leave the premises. In addition, the employee must report the entire incident to the kindergarten director and contact the parent or legal guardian to determine who is authorized to pick up the child in this case.

Procedures for picking up your child from preschool—what you need to keep in mind

A child may be picked up from preschool by their parents, legal guardians, or persons designated in the authorization form.
If a minor—such as an older sibling—is to pick up a child from preschool, parents should carefully consider whether that person will be able to ensure the child’s safe return home.
The minimum age for a person authorized to pick up a child from preschool is usually 13, although in many cases this depends on the school.
The specific rules regarding picking up a child should be included in the preschool's bylaws.
If preschool staff suspect that a person authorized to pick up a child may pose a threat, they have the right to refuse to release the child. In addition, they should notify the preschool director and the child’s parents or legal guardians.

W kindergarten ItsyBitsy The safety of our little ones is our top priority. If you have any questions or concerns, we are always here to help and will be happy to provide you with any necessary information about how our facility operates.

Bibliography:

https://sip.lex.pl/akty-prawne/dzu-dziennik-ustaw/prawo-o-ruchu-drogowym-16798732/art-43

https://sip.lex.pl/akty-prawne/dzu-dziennik-ustaw/prawo-oswiatowe-18558680/art-102