Do Parents Knock or Walk Right In?

[brookeroo]

I like them to walk in because I have a lot of littles. I don't want someone waking them up. Plus there are too many times feeding babies or since I have some dropping off or picking up at odd times I sometimes am upstairs putting kids down or getting them up. I have two that I am sometimes outside with as well. It doesn't do any good to knock on the front door if we are in the backyard and it's a pain to walk around the house to the gate.

The only time I hate it is if I don't hear them come in and they sneak up on me. I've seriously considered getting a driveway alarm.

[JennyBear]

All of my families just walk in (I only have a handful of families). I make it very clear that I unlock my door when I open and lock it after daycare hours. I'm really fortunate that my families are very consistent with their drop off/pick up times (actually, they are like clockwork) so I know when to expect everyone anyway.
I want everyone to feel comfortable and just walk in. If I ever had a really bad experience though that might change

[My3cents]

both. need a both button

[mema]

Most of mine knock first and then walk in. If they are late dropping off or early picking up though, they will have to knock and wait. Usually I hear the dog walk over to the door and wait so I know someone is here. We are downstairs and I don't like having to go up and answer it and then back down to get the child only to have to go back up again.

[mac60]

I prefer them to knock or ring the bell first then walk in, but it is a hard concept for them to grasp and understand because most refuse to do it. It doesn't matter how many times I mention it in a note, they never do it. :confused:

[Meeko]

Nobody except my direct family gets to just walk in to my home or my daycare house (which is my son's home)

I have too many kids with custody problems to allow a non-custodial parent to just walk in. And I sure don't want folks from off the street entering.

A day care parent is NOT family and they don't get the same rights.

If you're not related to me, you wait until you're invited in. After that....I'm the friendliest person on the planet......but my home(s) will be respected as my private property.

[spud912]

The house is our home first and business second. Everyone knocks and I unlock and open the door. The parents can visit anytime, but there is entirely way too much risk (in my opinion) with leaving the door unlocked .

[PitterPatter]

I have had a few parents just walk in even after being told not to do so. I keep my door locked at all times so now they can't do it anymore. This is our home and I do have a child of my own. It's a shame too I used to enjoy that fresh morning breeze coming in the front door but after a couple early arrivals walk in and roam your house (once while I was in the restroom) that was enough for me. What's worse is when a parent has the gull to ask WHY the door is locked like this is a business down town.

[KEG123]

My doors are kept locked, so they have to knock. Even though this is daycare, it is still my home.

[KayB]

I have to agree with Meeko and Spud. I too keep my doors locked. A couple of years ago The sheriffs were on foot chasing someone in our neighborhood..had the helicopters going and all kinds of squad cars all over. The guy ran into my next door neighbors yard who also has a daycare and they were in the back yard at the time!! The guy was trying to find a place to hide and the kids seen it all! Her backyard was filled with cops and sheriffs with guns out!! So ever since then I lock my doors and I tell the parents the story and they understand. I do not like living in fear but when I have 7 other lives to think about I will take every precaution I can!

[daycarediva]

Walk in. I leave the doors locked, and unlock for my parents scheduled pick up time. Arrive earlier or later and you have to knock.

[Country Kids]

We had a child kidnapped from a childcare one time. The guy came in and beat up the provider and took the a little girl. The story has been aired several times on 20/20, 48 hours etc. Our freeway was closed down while they chased the guy down. He flipped the car and they had a sharpshooter shoot him so he would release the little girl. I can't remember if he died or was just wounded.

[justgettingstarted]

It would never have occurred to me to let people just walk into my home. Every parent knocks every time and the door is locked as soon as it is closed. Funny this was posted today though. I had a new dcg start today and when dad picked up he just walked right in. I was a little shocked. Another parent had just picked up and apparently I forgot to lock the door. I'm just glad none of the kids were right behind the door he would have hit them! I also have a couple of twos that like to open the door themselves so I have another lock up high that they can't reach. I would be scared to run to the bathroom or put the baby down for a nap if the door were unlocked.

[lovemykidstoo]

This is ironic that i just stumbled upon this thread. That's the problem I had with my new dcm this past week. I have only met her once and she keeps just walking in without even so much as a knock. Like someone said above, this is my home first and business second. I normally lock my door, but my kids have started school this week and when they left for the bus I'm not in the habit of locking it behind them. I will be better prepared next week. I just think it's respectful to at a minimum knock, but preferably, wait for me to let them in.

[daycare]

i voted knock.

I have a large license in home daycare. In CA it is a fire law that your front door must have an emergency egress door handle. Basically this means that it is always able to open from the inside, but is always locked on the outside. So my front door is always locked, I don't have a choice.