SOURCE: Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — A child was mistakenly picked up by a Department of Children and Families worker at a day care late last week, the company says.

The incident occurred at KinderCare on West Center Street in West Bridgewater on Friday.

The company called the incident a “misunderstanding,” and said it’s working with DCF to prevent similar instances in the future.

KinderCare said two children with the same name were both supposed to be picked up by a different person on Friday.

“One child was supposed to go with a DCF worker and the other was to go with a family friend,” KinderCare said in a statement. “When the DCF worker arrived, there was a misunderstanding about which of the two children the worker was there for and the worker ended up taking the wrong child.”

KinderCare said the child was returned to the center within the hour.

“As soon as our staff realized this mistake, they immediately called the DCF office and the child’s mother,” KinderCare said.

“While we’re thankful that the child was safe, and in the care of someone who is certified to care for children, we take this situation seriously,” the company said.

KinderCare said it reported the incident to DCF and to licensing Friday.