Early Arrival

[Springdaze]

I dont understand their thinking.....If you dont open til a certain time, why would they think they can come prior? do they think you just cant sleep because you are so excited to see their child?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would come right out and ask her why she is dropping dcb off early. Have a conversation about how to resolve the issue. I find it's best to always be open and honest about concerns and issues.

I did this last week. Then, I put up a reminder about rules from the handbook that were being broken. The reminder told them to please stay IN their car if they arrived earlier than 8:00am UNLESS they had a prior arrangement with me.
I made sure to review it WITH the parents and then to ask if they needed an earlier arrival time and if so I could send them the rates.

[moshimoshi]

I haven't had anyone try to drop off early, but I have a $15 per 15 minutes early drop off fee that I would definitely enforce if I decided to accept the child.

[clep]

I had a parent come in early one morning. I just told her that her watch or clock must need new batteries because I don't open for another half an hour and I will see her when I open.

Never happened again.

[Kaddidle Care]

I'll take kiddos later on occasion, but never earlier. I don't care how much a parent may offer to pay me, it's not happening

I know it's hard but I'd say something if I were you. If it's hard shoot her a text or an email:

I've noticed you've been a bit early the last couple of mornings. Just a friendly reminder Johnny is scheduled to begin care at _:__am. I really need the time beforehand to prepare for the day and cannot accommodate any drop off earlier than that. I appreciate your cooperation, thanks!

This - or just plain say something. If she is your first drop off, and it sounds like she is, just tell her - and let her know that you'll put the front porch light on when you are ready to welcome her child for the day.

Don't be harsh because one of these days you will be late and you don't want that to come back and bite you in the tush.

[AnneCordelia]

20 minutes a day equals two free weeks of care per year if you work off a 9 hour day. That's a lot of FREE! I agree...be upfront and friendly. There's no need to be stressed....she is the one in the wrong and will likely fix the situation once she knows its an inconvenience and disrespectful.

[lovemykidstoo]

Just wondering how it went this morning. Was she early again?

[SquirrellyMama]

20 minutes a day equals two free weeks of care per year if you work off a 9 hour day. That's a lot of FREE! I agree...be upfront and friendly. There's no need to be stressed....she is the one in the wrong and will likely fix the situation once she knows its an inconvenience and disrespectful.

This is a good thing to let the parent know if she balks and says, "but it is just 20 minutes".

K

[MarinaVanessa]

I've noticed you've been a bit early the last couple of mornings. Just a friendly reminder Johnny is scheduled to begin care at _:__am. I really need the time beforehand to prepare for the day and cannot accommodate any drop off earlier than that. I appreciate your cooperation, thanks!

I love this. It's nice but clear and to the point. I would talke to her in person however. Just let her know that you aren't taking clients and earlier than her already scheduled drop-off time and then stop her at the door and ask her to come back at her scheduled time if she tried to drop off early again.

[Beach Baby]

Thanks everyone!! She did not try to drop off early since then, so fingers crossed that she will stick to our agreed upon time. However, I know that since she's done it before, she will likely try it again. At least I will be prepared to turn her away next time. I'm not sure there's any amount of money that could be offered to me that would make me agree to taking kids earlier than I do....I need those very few free moments in my day to just sit and breathe. ::

[trippingontoys]

I have this issue twice a week. This morning I drove my kids to the bus stop at 7am. All of our subdivision is picked up in one spot. The bus comes at 7:10. I open my doors for child care at 7:15am. DCM pulls up behind me at 7:02, and brings her child to my van. Irritates me beyond belief, but this is one of my best families. I have had her since I started and she is a great little girl. The mom is also a really sweet lady and is always bringing me eggs, pumpkin butter, etc (I live in a rural community :-) and they are really good to me at Christmas. So I let it go. She is in preschool this year and I will only have her until May of next year since her mom is a schoolteacher and she will be in kindergarten next fall. Now if it was the three year old who refuses to potty train and pushes his limits every second of the day.............those extra 10 minutes might be a deal breaker.