Unnanouced Early Arrival

[DaisyMamma]

Kid shows up an hour early today unannounced!!! I'm in my PJs, Daughter 1 in PJs, Daughter 2 asleep! Dogs running free through the house and one escapes when I open the door. I can't do much about late pickups except charge more, but early arrivals? No way Jose, go away! ::

[sassysue]

Did you let them in ?

[momma2girls]

I would have told them-"I am not even ready for your arrival" You need to stick with your contracted drop off time only!!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I feel irritated when a parent arrives 5 minutes early. When I do not answer the door, they ring the bell repeatedly despite there being a large Business Hours sign right there and signing a contract stating the arrival time. I finish whatever I was working on (breakfast) and make my way to the door at that point in time. By then, it's 2 minutes early.

I can't imagine how I'd feel about 60.

[Soupyszoo]

What did you do/say?! I don't like 10 mins early... An hour is just RUDE!

[SunshineMama]

Do you have contracted hours?

I had parents who did that once. They came 15 min early, and I let it go the first day. They did it the next day and I turned off my lights, but they still knocked on my door 10 minutes early...2 days in a row. At pickup, dcd asked if it was ok if they were 5 early and I said yes... Well the next day they were 10 early again! (And they are the first drop off so it is really inconvenient).

So I made them a copy of their current contract, made a new contract also, and wrote a letter, explaining if they needed care early they could sign the new contract, because my family mornings are too hectic to have early arrivals.

What do you know.. they always come on time on the dot now. And if they are 5 minutes early they sit and wait in their car.

I will do a 5-10 minute late pick up, but I don't do early drop offs when it's still dark outside and Im getting ready for the day. The 10.5 hours your kid is here is enough for me!

[texascare]

I keep all doors locked and blinds drawn until opening time. IF they continue to knock or ring the bell the look on my face says it all when I open the door. And yes I have made clients sit in the cars until opening time. It is a respect thing to me. how would they like it if I opened the door one day and just announced "oh I am not going to open on time. see you in an hour!"...

[DaisyMamma]

Yes, of course I sent her away. I said I'm sorry, i don't actually open till 830.
She hasn't come back yet, its now 9. I don't really care.

It was the third time I told her 830 not 730. She is well aware of my hours.

[Zoe]

The third time?! Seriously?! That's ridiculous! I hope she either gets her act together or finds a different solution so you don't have to deal with this for much longer!

[LittleD]

I had a parent who would have her mom drop off an hour and a half early Mind you I had already been open for 2 hours by this point, but she is high maintenance child and my other was taking her nap. I would ask every day "What time are you dropping off tomorrow, I need to know" but it still didn't click in.

Finally I sent her a text saying the next time it happens, I may not be here, I'd hate for your mom to have to walk 30 mins back home to wait for her regular scheduled time. This was a wekk ago, and so far so good. ::

[DaisyMamma]

It was the third time I told her but actually the first time she showed up that early. I'm sure it won't happen again though. She just called, said something about a garage door opener guy and would be here soon. So she must have had an appointment. I have no problem taking early arrivals on occasion, but I need to know you are coming!

[MarinaVanessa]

Kid shows up an hour early today unannounced!!! I'm in my PJs, Daughter 1 in PJs, Daughter 2 asleep! Dogs running free through the house and one escapes when I open the door. I can't do much about late pickups except charge more, but early arrivals? No way Jose, go away! ::

Okay so I've never had someone just drop off THAT early before, at least not without asking but if it did happen to me and even if they do ask me first before dropping off early I always ask them "Okay so will you be picking up early or paying for the extra time?" I still have parents occasionally stutter for a moment before they decide ::.

[renodeb]

I will never forget one of my families showing up 30 mins early. The front door was already unlocked b/c hubby had gone out to get the paper. My whole house was dark but they came in with the baby and were sitting on my ottumun in the den in the dark. I peaked around the corner b/c my hubby had said that he heard the front door open. They smiled sheepishly and said we just wanted to be early today. (no real reason) I said "oh hi" you suprised me, I didnt expect you for another 30 minutes. On there daily chart I wrote them a note that reminded them of my opening time. Needless to say thats all it took! Most of my clients are great about telling me if they have a schedule change. Some parents just dont get it!
Debbie

[momma2girls]

Okay so I've never had someone just drop off THAT early before, at least not without asking but if it did happen to me and even if they do ask me first before dropping off early I always ask them "Okay so will you be picking up early or paying for the extra time?" I still have parents occasionally stutter for a moment before they decide ::.

this is good! I have a limit on how many hrs. I provide daycare each day as well.

[rhondawarren]

I keep all doors locked and blinds drawn until opening time. IF they continue to knock or ring the bell the look on my face says it all when I open the door. And yes I have made clients sit in the cars until opening time. It is a respect thing to me. how would they like it if I opened the door one day and just announced "oh I am not going to open on time. see you in an hour!"...

how would they like it if I opened the door one day and just announced "oh I am not going to open on time. see you in an hour!"...