FAQ: Why can't I just give you the names?

We often get asked why everyone collecting a child needs to be on the Fetching app. Why can't parents simply provide the school with a list of trusted names, like we've sometimes done in the past?

It’s a great question, and the answer gets to the heart of why we’ve built this new system. While a list is a good starting point for trust, the Fetching app builds a framework of verified safety and seamless communication for every single collection. Here’s how:

Verification vs. Assumption

Providing a name is one thing. Verifying an identity is another.

• With a List: The details of approved people to collect each child are usually kept safely in the office. This means that the class teacher can be releasing a child to a person they have never seen before. It also means that the list and photos can go out of date.
• With Fetching: The teacher has visibility of each person collecting via our digital platform, with a photo so they can identify them in a crowd. And because everyone has had to verify their identity, no-one can pretend to be someone they're not.

The Digital Handshake

A list tells us who might collect. Fetching shows us who has agreed to collect.

• With a List: If a parent texts a friend for last-minute help, the school might receive a second-hand message or a rushed phone call - if they are not too busy to receive it. There’s no direct record of agreement from the collector themselves.
• With Fetching: The app creates a secure “digital handshake.” When you send a collection request and your friend accepts it in the app, we have a clear record that both parties have actively agreed to the new arrangement. This protects everyone by ensuring there are no misunderstandings.

Seamless Communication

The old "patchwork" method of phone calls and messages is stressful for everyone.

• The Old Way: You need help, so you text three people. You wait for replies, then call the school office, hoping the message gets to the right staff member before the bell rings. It’s fragmented and prone to missed information.
• With Fetching: You send one request to your support network in the app. The first person to accept triggers an instant, automatic update to the school’s system. The "fetcher" gets all the details they need in the app. The school is informed. It replaces a chain of messages with a single, secure loop of communication.

Clarity on Data and Privacy

When someone is on a paper list, have they explicitly consented to how their data is stored? With Fetching, they have.

• Everyone who registers agrees directly to our Privacy Policy, understanding how their data is used and protected. This transparency isn’t just good practice—it’s a fundamental part of operating safely and respectfully under data protection laws (GDPR).

Working Together for a Safer School Run

Ultimately, moving from a static list to the Fetching app transforms our collection process from being reactive to proactive. It shifts the responsibility of verification from our staff making on-the-spot judgements, to a secure, consistent system where every adult is pre-verified and every arrangement is digitally confirmed.

What we have created is a partnership. A more secure way for schools to manage collection time and an app to support parents with the juggle and benefit from their support network.

To find out more about how Fetching can help streamline collection time at your school, get in touch.