Do Parents Pick Up Their Kids Randomly

[Unregistered]

I would simply advise that without prior notice of an unscheduled drop in, the door will not be answered. All visitors must be expected for safety reasons.

Also, the fact that without you knowing they are coming at an unscheduled time, you may not be home. we go on walks at whatever time works for us. we try to schedule these in at specific times, but sometimes we go off of our schedule here. like today, 2 of my infants needed a morning nap. which threw off our whole day.

In my state by law parents can drop by anytime their child is in care and can inspect the parts of the house that are open to the daycare. When I was a parent with a child in daycare I would often pick up an hour or two early because I had a very flexible work schedule and I liked to check in every once in a while to make sure that what I saw at regular pick up time was what I'd see all the time. If we had a specific appointment or something I would let them know at drop off. Now as a provider I expect parents to do the same and have no problem with it. If we leave for a walk I put a note on the door with my cell number in case they come early. Whether it interrupts your schedule or is just annoying matters little, these are their children and they can check in on them when they want and can certainly pick them up when they want. If I showed up at my child's daycare and the door wasn't answered I'd call the police!

[youretooloud]

The only time I've ever picked up unexpectedly was honestly to kind of check in on my provider. It wasn't during nap time or anyting it was just about an hour early (4:15ish)

That's a good idea too!

[sharlan]

My 9 yo gets picked up anywhere from 3:05 to 5:15. It all depends on who is picking him up and where they're coming from.

[jojosmommy]

Yes, my SIL is the worst for this too. I finally got snippy and told her she had to tell me what time. Lock your doirs, then when she knocks answer with " oh, I thought you were coming at ***x time". Then clearly tell her why you need to know the time, her child will be right in the middle of something, or whatever the reason.

Good Luck, family turns out to be the worst clients to have, especially if they dont respect you.

[Zoe]

My 9 yo gets picked up anywhere from 3:05 to 5:15. It all depends on who is picking him up and where they're coming from.

Ditto. It's just this one family and it doesn't really bother me since they're contracted until 5 and never come during nap time. And I think they've actually picked up at 5 once in the year and a half since I've had them.

If it was a family that gave me grief about something, I'd mind, but this is an angel family so it's honestly ok with me.

If it bugs you, talk to her about it.

[e.j.]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;191020]In my state by law parents can drop by anytime their child is in care and can inspect the parts of the house that are open to the daycare. QUOTE]

This is true in my state, too. As much as I appreciate being told ahead of time if a parent is planning to come early for pick-up, my dc parents are all aware they are allowed, by law, to drop in at any time.

In all the years I've been doing child care, I've only had one family who used to drop in unexpectedly to visit or pick up early. I definitely got the feeling they were trying to catch me doing something wrong because they'd do things like sneak around my garage into the backyard instead of going directly to the backdoor to knock, they'd quietly open the door and tiptoe through the kitchen (until I started locking it)... that kind of thing. The sneakiness used to drive me crazy more than the unexpected visits/pickups! All of my other parents let me know ahead of time, though.

[cheerfuldom]

I understand the thought behind checking up on your daycare but is that really necessary in this case? This is a SIL and sounds like the OP has been more than willing to accommodate her in numerous ways and since they are family, its not like he is a stranger. Am I way off base? Do you really need to be keeping tabs on a your family? It sounds like the OP would love to start a daycare but at this point, is just watching kids from within the family (correct?) so its not like the SIL doesn't know who is there, who her kids are playing with and such.

[saved4always]

[QUOTE=e.j.;191069]

In my state by law parents can drop by anytime their child is in care and can inspect the parts of the house that are open to the daycare. QUOTE]

This is true in my state, too. As much as I appreciate being told ahead of time if a parent is planning to come early for pick-up, my dc parents are all aware they are allowed, by law, to drop in at any time.

In all the years I've been doing child care, I've only had one family who used to drop in unexpectedly to visit or pick up early. I definitely got the feeling they were trying to catch me doing something wrong because they'd do things like sneak around my garage into the backyard instead of going directly to the backdoor to knock, they'd quietly open the door and tiptoe through the kitchen (until I started locking it)... that kind of thing. The sneakiness used to drive me crazy more than the unexpected visits/pickups! All of my other parents let me know ahead of time, though.

I could understand if they wanted to show up once in a while at a different time to check up on the provider. But being sneaky about coming in is not right. That would scare me to death if someone just "tiptoed" in and snuck up on me in my home. I think I am going to make sure from now on that my doors are always locked when I am not expecting anyone.

[Unregistered]

I realize of course she doesnt have much of a social or work life during the daytime hours, but its pretty annoying when my sil doesnt tell me in advance if there iis a doctor appt and shes going to be picking up her girl in the middle of nap time in the afternoon, it disrupts everyone else and she doesnt get to do her crafts or complete her day of activity and fun. Shes just been so random on pick up lately! OY

I always used to let parents pick up kids whenever, even during nap. I would not allow them to ring the doorbell and I would always bring the child to them. I would never tell a parent they can't p/u early, this is their child. I would have more of a problem if they are p/u late, though, because now that is MY time they are taking from my family. But if they want their child early, you can't really object to that. As a parent, I always try to call if I'm going to be earlier than a 1/2 hr.

[beachgrl]

My parents typically let me know if they will be picking up early and one dcm has been a couple hours early a few times but just bc she was off work and went ahead and came by whichnidps great by me. Her hubby even told me she would prolly pick up early at drop off one day and bc it was sooo nice out we were outside enjoying the sun and so nap was a little later than normal and he was still sleeping 5 min before she came, as soon as he heard the door he popped up and brought his bed and blanket to me ...

My parents know around when naptime is so donypt usually pickup then. One has a dr appoint nxt week so she told me she would pick upmearly that day, they have all been pretty good w communication. I usually ask them to pick up before or after nap if they are going to so not to disturb the others, my silly dogs bark now when they hear my deadbolt bc they think someone is at the door they have gotten do used to hearing me unlock the door at normal pick up time

[Crazy8]

I try to "discourage" nap time pick ups but like another poster said, by law you can't NOT let them come. I do routinely ask that if they must pick up during nap time to text me so I can have the child ready and quietly hand them out the door. If they are scheduled for a 5pm pick up and show up at 4:20 unannounced no big deal - but if you are going to wake up 4 other kids you need to let me know you are coming!!!

[Michelle]

We have an open door policy and welcome the parent to come anytime to pick up their child so they feel totally comfortable with me.
Nap time would be an issue though, especially if they ring the doorbell

[Meeko]

We have an open door policy and welcome the parent to come anytime to pick up their child so they feel totally comfortable with me.
Nap time would be an issue though, especially if they ring the doorbell

We have an "open door" policy too....except the door isn't open! ::

Parents can pick up any time they like (although I discourage it at nap time).

However, my door is locked. Parents must respect that this is still a private home and they cannot wander in at will. If they can, so can a stranger. For the safety of THEIR children, the door is locked.

As for inspecting the day care...they can do that at interview time. They can inspect every single, individual lego if they want. Once their child is enrolled, they don't need to know what everyone else is doing, just their child. So parents are not allowed to wander around at will. If a parent wanted to see in our back classroom for example, they would be accompanied and allowed to peek in, but not enter while other children were in care.

[Michelle]

We have an "open door" policy too....except the door isn't open! ::

Parents can pick up any time they like (although I discourage it at nap time).

However, my door is locked. Parents must respect that this is still a private home and they cannot wander in at will. If they can, so can a stranger. For the safety of THEIR children, the door is locked.

As for inspecting the day care...they can do that at interview time. They can inspect every single, individual lego if they want. Once their child is enrolled, they don't need to know what everyone else is doing, just their child. So parents are not allowed to wander around at will. If a parent wanted to see in our back classroom for example, they would be accompanied and allowed to peek in, but not enter while other children were in care.

I totally agree!
We do the same thing.

[Nellie]

I have my families just come on in the door. I can't hear the knocking and I really don't want them to have to wait out in the cold at drop off. On one occation I was the one who mess up when I read the schedule. I thought DCB was going to be here until 5 when he was actually getting picked up at 3. Normally I'm kind of listening for the door, but I wasn't that day. DCD started walking threw the house and scared the living crud out of me. I was screaming and jumping and started hyperventilating. He felt bad(wasn't his fault) and I felt stupid. He calls now even if he is going to be 15 mins early. I was surprised with the first phone call and he did state that he didn't want to scare me.