Thoughts on Parents Walking in...

[WImom]

Normally if it's the normal drop off time 7-7:15 and pick up time 4-4:30 I leave my door unlocked and some parents will walk right in. I don't have a problem with that. I normally lock the door right away after. With summer and my own kids coming and going it doesn't always get locked.

I had a parent that was late today because her children had dentist appts. just walk right in at 9:00. I've also had another parent come pick up at 3:45 - 30 minutes earlier than his normal pick up just walk right in.

Would you be bothered by this? I am and wondering if this is the norm for parents to think they can walk right in or if a notice to parents is in order here. Basically saying if you are not coming at your normal pick up or drop off you should not be walking right in. This is my home after all.

What would you do in the situation?

[dEHmom]

hmm, that's a tough one. It is your home and if you feel they should knock or inform you of early/late arrivals as they may be disturbing the other children by just walking in that's up to you.

All my parents do a "knock knock" and then open the door.

[Heidi]

I encourage it. All my new parents start off knocking, and I tell them to walk right in. I HATE having to get up off the floor to open the door, and don't allow the kids to do it.

My sister who does daycare has an electronic lock installed, and her dcp's know the code. There is also a "donger" on the door that sounds off when the door is opened. The combination works well for her. But, she lives in a "rougher" area of the city, and I live in a rural subdivision (plus I have a Shih Tzu that barks at anyone comming in ....or out).

I guess it's whatever works for you. If you don't like them just walking in, put a note on the door "after 8am..please knock", or send a memo to everyone...
Basically, feel free to walk in during normal arrival and departure hours, but if you come during "off" times, knock first, lest you give your provider a heart attack.

[Kiki]

Normally if it's the normal drop off time 7-7:15 and pick up time 4-4:30 I leave my door unlocked and some parents will walk right in. I don't have a problem with that. I normally lock the door right away after. With summer and my own kids coming and going it doesn't always get locked.

I had a parent that was late today because her children had dentist appts. just walk right in at 9:00. I've also had another parent come pick up at 3:45 - 30 minutes earlier than his normal pick up just walk right in.

Would you be bothered by this? I am and wondering if this is the norm for parents to think they can walk right in or if a notice to parents is in order here. Basically saying if you are not coming at your normal pick up or drop off you should not be walking right in. This is my home after all.

What would you do in the situation?

To be fair to the parents, if they are used to walking in and out and their pick up/drop off times, they probably didn't think twice about it. I do see where you are coming from though.

My door is locked. At all times, even drop off/pick up times, I state that in my handbook I keep the door locked at all times for the safety of everyone in my home. I have a notice on my door that has my 'quiet times' listed so parents know when to knock quietly, and when to ring my bell. I know that I run a day care, but this is also my home, I would never feel ok with anybody other than family walking right in. My situation might be different though, my day care room is right in the front entrance to my entire home, maybe if it was in the basement or something with it's own entrance I wouldn't mind as much.

[countrymom]

I had 2 moms who would walk right in and just stand in the kitchen and not make a sound. I would walk into the kitchen and scare the tar out of me. So I went and bought a door alarm, you can buy them at home depot for about 30 dollars.

[wahmof3]

IMO: I don't like it when DCP walk on in. I would never walk into someones home so I wouldn't want someone walking into mine.

I know some providers don't mind, but yeah I do.

That's when I start making sure my door is locked and maybe address it in a newsletter???

[Crazy8]

I have no problem with them walking in, I hate when I'm sitting on the floor with the kids and have to get up to answer the door when its not even locked! Most do give a quick knock and then enter though. My screen door is locked 90% of the time outside my busiest drop off/pick up times so I usually do have to answer it.

My daycare is right off my entry though, so they aren't going thru my house. I hate when people even start walking towards my kitchen/family room - there is no reason for it besides being nosy.

[Breezy]

I usually open the door before anyone knocks in the morning. My dogs alert me when they pull up. In the afternoon they knock and I answer. I sometimes clean with a tank top on during nap time and I want a chance to throw my shirt back on if someone comes early.

[Country Kids]

Mine walk in but my new parents won't. I'm going to have to give them a reminder because if we are outside they will just stand there!

I do have a set of bells that hang off my door handle so they ring when anyone walks in.

[Truly Scrumptious]

If it bothers YOU, that's all that matters. You should be offering an open door policy, but you're right it's still your home and parents need to be respectful of that. I agree that you should address it in a letter and set some guidlines. Also make sure to add it to your rules and reiterate it in your interview.

One thing that I do when I have parents that are breaking what I call ,"my nit picky" rules (even though they may be nit picky...I still don't like it nor do I want it happening), I will make a copy of their contract or policy page addressing that rule and highlight it and stick it in their cubbie. It's a "hint" for them to stop....if they don't, then I have no choice but to address them personally.

[texascare]

I have my buisness in the front of my house so it doesn't bother me that they walk in. When they knock all my dogs start barking and that drives me nuts!!! I do have an alarm system that chimes when the doors are open so if I am in the bathroom I can hear them. I would put a note on the front door that says please knock before entering.

[seebachers]

If I am open for business....it is a strict OPEN DOOR policy.

[renodeb]

I think it boils down to what ever works for the individual. I started out greeting each family at the door, that lasted about 3 months then I decided that it would be better if I told them that they were welcome to walk in. My dc is in the middle of my house so it works for me. My dog is a good enough door alarm. All of my dc parents are great about respecting nap times and have been good about letting me know if they will be earlier or later than normal. My door stays locked until just a moment before my first family. Luckily all of my fams have pretty regular d/o and p/u times. I do have two moms who knock before entering and thats ok. I think a lot of how do conduct things also depends on where you live, city country etc. You need to do what feels right for you.
I will never forget early on in running a dc how my front door was unlocked b/c my husband went out and got the and at 645 he says to me "I think there is someone here" I round the corner with my hair wrapped in a towel and there in the dark stands one of my families 30 minutes earlier than usual. (scared the life out of me) I said to them "oh I didnt expect anyone for
30 minutes" They said " We just wanted to be early" I left a note on there daily note about when I open and they never pulled that again.
I think if my house were a two story model or a bigger house I would think diffrently!

[mac60]

Open door does not mean free reign of coming and going whenever they want. I once had a mom show up 1 /12 hours early, walked in, stood in my dining room, and was watching me load the dishwasher....when I turned around she was "there" and it scared the hell out of me. That is why we ask for a courtesy phone call or a knock, it has nothing to do with an open door policy.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

In my program, I invite parents to walk in at any time during business hours. I don't think you have to--that's just my preference. But I do think you should just spell out exactly what you'd like; I wrote it right into my parent handbook so parents would know what to expect and we'd all feel comfortable. Most of them are very respectful about knocking if they return 5 minutes after I've closed, for example, because they forgot something.