Cut Off Time For Drop Offs?

[newtodaycare22]

Who has this? I'm considering it but I'm not sure how parents would respond. I have kids who signed a contract with a drop off around 8:30 or 9 but show up any where from 9 to 12:30! (There is no different fee for amount of hours, it's just obnoxious and disruptive). I'd like to say if you're not here by snack at 10, you are not coming.

If you have it-do parents ever question it and what does your policy state?

Thanks!

[Zoe]

I do have a cut-off time for one family. They're always very good about letting me know what time their DD will be at my house. However, this year my own DD is in kindergarten and I take her to school, so I told the parents that they need to drop off dcg by 8:30 or they're going to have to wait until I get back.

If you have daycare families that aren't consistent in drop-offs, I'd say something to them. It really interrupts the day waiting for them. Just say, "I understand that you have a more flexible schedule, but unfortunately we do not. Please be sure to drop off little "Johnny" by x time so we can begin our day. If you haven't arrived by that time, I'll assume you aren't coming and will go about my day. Thanks! "

[daycare]

My cut off time is 9:15 am. If you arrive after 8:30 your child must arrived fed.

9:15 my preschool program starts and I will not tolerate constant disruptions. Once in awhile it's ok.

In my contract if they are not here by 9:15am, then they have to wait until 12:30 to drop off. No drop off after 12:30. Late arrival does not warrant a late pick up.

[mismatchedsocks]

I dont have a cut off. I do however ask if they let me know when they will be late dropping off. I have a few families who are home sleeping during this time, and sometimes runs errands with the children before coming, or lets the kids sleep in without waking them.

I even allow drop offs in afternoon during nap. It is quiet time here, so its a quick quiet drop off, with mom/dad staying outside and letting child come in on own.

Im pretty flexible and think it helps keep me full in this economy. I had the food rep here last week and she told me I am the only daycare she knows of in my city full!

[Lucy]

I like a SET time that they are coming. If they are not here within a certain period of time after that (30 minutes maybe??), I am free to assume they are not coming and I can leave for a walk or an outing. If they call a sufficient amount of time ahead and let me know they will be here late, and I don't have previous plans of not being here at the time they want to show up, then I will ok it. If we were going to go to the library or somewhere, and would be gone during the time they show up, they either have to meet me at the library, or not come.

[daycare]

same here, except I dont allow drop off or pick to occur anywhere but at the home.

I can't have my attention taken off of the kids for one hot second.

this just happened about three weeks dad was two hours late dropping off and it was library day. Dad had been warned many times about dropping off on time and he was soooo mad when we were not at the house.

His wife called me to find out where we were and I text her to let her know that dad was more than 2 hours late, and we are at the library. He will need to wait until we return. Dad had to call in late to work.

Guess that won't happen ever again..

[Ariana]

Here is mine:
Drop off and Pickup
Drop off and pick up times can be hectic and very busy, sometimes with more than one
family coming at once. For this reason, it is important that you keep them as short and
sweet as possible. They are not an appropriate time to have a lengthy chat so please use
the log book or give the Caregiver a call during nap time if there is something important
you need to discuss.
At drop-off in the mornings, please say your goodbyes as quickly as possible. It is asked
that you undress your child and hang up the coat and day bag in the appropriate spot.
Again, please keep it short and positive. Delaying your goodbye makes it difficult for
your child to settle in and make a smooth transition to daycare. It can also be very
disruptive for the other children and to the morning day care routine.
Please arrive no later than 8:30 a.m., each day to ensure that your child has some time to
play with their friends before the day’s activities begin and has a chance to eat if need be.
If you plan to arrive outside of your typical daycare hours (yet still within hours of
operation) please advise the Caregiver as soon as possible. Not advising the Caregiver
could result in us being away from the daycare when you arrive.
Our typical nap time is from 12:00pm-2:00pm. Children may not be dropped off
between 11:45pm and 2:00pm as it is very disruptive to have children arriving during
nap time (for both the children here and the child who has to arrive to either immediately
go down for a nap, or then is required to be quiet while the younger ones sleep). If you
are picking your child(ren) up between these times please do so quickly and quietly. If
you can let me know when you will be arriving at nap time to pick up your child I can
wake them a minute or two early and get them ready for you, as this is usually the least
disruptive way.

[Meyou]

If they drop after 9am they have to call ahead and be prepared to drop the child where ever we are prepared for the activity we're doing. I very, very rarely have anyone arrive after 9am.

[permanentvacation]

This past year I began requiring that children be dropped off no later than 9:00. I used to have clients come in whenever they wanted/needed to. At first it was only one or two kids that occassionally came in late. But for some reason, it got to where many kids came in at all sorts of weird times and the mornings just got to be crazy.

I teach a preschool program which starts at 9am. So I decided that in order to not disrupt our class time, the children need to arrive by 9. This also includes days that the child needs to go to the doctor/dentist. They will have to schedule afternoon apointments or simply keep their child home all day if they need to take them to an appointment in the morning. I explained my reason to everyone and nobody has had a problem with it. I do allow them to pick their child up whenever they need to. But they hardly ever pick up before 3.

I am revising my contract for next year and am putting this rule in the contract.

[Parent]

Drop off times

I am a single mom who works close to 12 hours a day. I. Understand the drop off times but because of my schedule I rarely see my child. I feel as though everyone else is raising him. So if I am a few minutes late for drop off GET OVER IT!! I PAY YOU!! If it weren't for people like me you wouldn't have a job or a business. I say this because my 7 month old sons sons teacher was VERY rude to me when I dropped my son off at 1030 instead of 10. The class goes down for nap around 9 and every day when I get there with my son the other kids are still asleep. There is absolutely NO REASON I can't drop him off when they are getting up from their nap. MY SON IS ON HIS SCHEDULE. NOT THE DAYCARES. He sleeps and eats when he's ready. The reason we were late this day is because he fell asleep late so I thought it would be better for him to sleep for at least 30 minutes instead of being super sleepy and hard to deal with, not to mention the other students are always still asleep when we get there.

[NeedaVaca]

I think if you have given the provider a drop off schedule you need to be on time. If you are going to be late then you need to text or call to inform the provider. Just showing up 30 minutes late is rude to the provider...In my set up I have to constantly keep running between the daycare space and door to watch for arrivals and it's very hard and tiring to do this for a long period of time. If she has children sleeping she might be watching for you this whole time so as not to disrupt the ones sleeping. Also, when a child attends daycare they are on the daycare schedule since it is a group environment. If you would like for your son to be on his own schedule you may want to consider a nanny.

"So if I am a few minutes late for drop off GET OVER IT!! I PAY YOU!!"

Daycare is a business and sometimes being late isn't an option for the provider you choose. There are a lot of businesses where if I had an appointment time and was late I would not even receive the service (Dr., Dentist, Reservation at restaurant)! They don't care that you pay them, they want you on time or you lose the appt./reservation...

[Sprouts]

It's so sad to see parents with this attitude....it's great that u want to spend time with ur son but u should also be considerate of other people as well. There's a reason your provider has a schedule for everyone...it's like throwing a wrench in a gear when things are out of schedule, especially when you have more then one child. I agree, a nanny or a provider who is more flexible with the parents needs would be a better choice for this type of family.

[bunnyslippers]

I am a single mom who works close to 12 hours a day. I. Understand the drop off times but because of my schedule I rarely see my child. I feel as though everyone else is raising him. So if I am a few minutes late for drop off GET OVER IT!! I PAY YOU!! If it weren't for people like me you wouldn't have a job or a business. I say this because my 7 month old sons sons teacher was VERY rude to me when I dropped my son off at 1030 instead of 10. The class goes down for nap around 9 and every day when I get there with my son the other kids are still asleep. There is absolutely NO REASON I can't drop him off when they are getting up from their nap. MY SON IS ON HIS SCHEDULE. NOT THE DAYCARES. He sleeps and eats when he's ready. The reason we were late this day is because he fell asleep late so I thought it would be better for him to sleep for at least 30 minutes instead of being super sleepy and hard to deal with, not to mention the other students are always still asleep when we get there.

I appreciate your frustration; however, it is because of the "I pay you"attitude that so many providers have strict rules. Yes, you pay the provider, because she is caring for your baby every single day. I find late drop-offs and pick-ups (without notice) disrespectful of me and my business. If you want a quality program, it is important that you respect the boundaries of that program in order to maintain a professional relationship with your provider.

Understand that the frustration you feel is the same frustration the provider feels when you are disrupting her morning. As far as your son being on HIS schedule, not the daycare schedule...well, that just isn't reality. Once he is at daycare, he is on their schedule. It can't be run according to everyone's individual schedules and needs. That leads to disorginization and chaos.

I trult can appreciate how difficult it must be to drop off your baby every day. I couldn't stand doing it, and that is why I am home doing daycare now. Try having an honest discussion with your provider about your feelings, and maybe you can come to an agreement about flexible drop-off times. A conversation is the best route, otherwise, you will both continue to build resentment.

[Unregistered]

I am a single mom who works close to 12 hours a day. I. Understand the drop off times but because of my schedule I rarely see my child. I feel as though everyone else is raising him. So if I am a few minutes late for drop off GET OVER IT!! I PAY YOU!! If it weren't for people like me you wouldn't have a job or a business. I say this because my 7 month old sons sons teacher was VERY rude to me when I dropped my son off at 1030 instead of 10. The class goes down for nap around 9 and every day when I get there with my son the other kids are still asleep. There is absolutely NO REASON I can't drop him off when they are getting up from their nap. MY SON IS ON HIS SCHEDULE. NOT THE DAYCARES. He sleeps and eats when he's ready. The reason we were late this day is because he fell asleep late so I thought it would be better for him to sleep for at least 30 minutes instead of being super sleepy and hard to deal with, not to mention the other students are always still asleep when we get there.

What this post says to me is I do what works for ME and have zero consideration for anyone else.

It also says "I deserve special".

Good for you that you work. Good for you that you WANT to spend time with your child. Too bad that you can't see the bigger picture here and realize that part of early childhood is learning that you are part of a big bg world that has other people in it. It also means preparing for school. Which by the way, you can't just show up to when ever you feel like it because you pay taxes.

What difference does being a single mother have to do with this? How is that YOUR child care provider's issue?

[Play Care]

I have a cut off of 9:30. My contract says that after that time I may not be able to accept the child into care for that day.
I've only had to enforce it once
Keep in mind that some states require child cares to call the parents if they are late for their drop off time (I think it's thirty minutes?), so I don't think requiring parents to drop off by a specific time should be an issue.