What Grace Period Do You Allow For Drop Off??

[LaLa1923]

What time would you allow drop-off??

(beyond contracted time)


Input please

DO you charge? Does it matter what time they were contracted for?

[momofboys]

I really don't have a policy for this but I would like to implement one. I have one family who is suposed to drop off at 7:30, they are my earliest drop off so it is important for me to know when they are arriving, lately they have been dropping off anytime between 7:15 (not allowed!!!) to today they came at 8:05 which is annoying b/c had I known I could have slept 15 min more. I would like to make it 1/2 hr past drop off time you can still drop off BUT I must receive notification the day before. Maybe this is too strict???

[SquirrellyMama]

If it is more than 5 minutes early I want advance notice. I don't charge for it. If it becomes often enough (more than once a week) and outside of my contracted hours with them then they would have to pay extra.

I don't have a cut off time for drop off. If we have plans I let them know and I have never had a problem with kids being on time.

K

[Play Care]

I don't open the door before my 7:30 opening time. People who try it will find the door locked. I do have a 9:00 cut-off for drop offs unless I have prior notice. I try to avoid the later drop offs for the usual reasons (the child's schedule is off, they typically come after a meal and of course haven't eaten, etc.) I don't charge for late drop offs but do tell parents that late without notice may mean I can't take them into care that day (and they still pay for it).
I did have one family try to show up at 11:00 without notice(even though I had reminded them repeatedly I needed it) and they had been the only dc kid scheduled for that day. I just waved as I drove by them in my van. Never happened again.

[Crazy8]

just thinking about this today as my first arrival was 10 min. early and I was pissed! 10 min in the morning makes a BIG difference in how ready I am!!!

I don't have a policy but would like to implement one - something like NO arrivals before your scheduled time, anything over 15 min. late needs to be communicated. I hate waiting around for people!!

[bunnyslippers]

I never allow early drop-off if it is before my opening time (7:30). If people are late dropping off, I could care less, as long as they let me know within an hour of their contracted time.

All of my dcfs drop off within 30 minutes of each other, so I don't mind if they are a few minutes earlier.

I never open my doors before 7:30. My dcfs know not even to ask!

[LaLa1923]

My issue is lack of communication and when DCG is dropped off late she's upset, miserable, and just plain terrible all day. It really throws off our entire day. It's 9:38 here and her contracted time is 8am! I have not a clue when she's going to be getting dropped off!! If it weren't raining I would take all the kids out and leave....

[NeedaVaca]

I am pretty flexible with drop off times as long as I have notice, no drop offs during naps though. The only time I get irritated is when they are my earliest drop off and they are late! I love my sleep and do not like to wake up early for no reason. I usually make a comment when this happens

[bunnyslippers]

My issue is lack of communication and when DCG is dropped off late she's upset, miserable, and just plain terrible all day. It really throws off our entire day. It's 9:38 here and her contracted time is 8am! I have not a clue when she's going to be getting dropped off!! If it weren't raining I would take all the kids out and leave....

I would not let this happen. I would call if she is 30 minutes late and find out why. I would absolutely make sure the parents knew that they had to communicate better with you. That is just plain disrespectful!

[LaLa1923]

I would not let this happen. I would call if she is 30 minutes late and find out why. I would absolutely make sure the parents knew that they had to communicate better with you. That is just plain disrespectful!

I agree! But I think it's their responsibility to contact me. Mom did text and tell me dad would be dropping dcg off today "when they get up"..........

What do I say? This is plain ridiculous, rude, and unacceptable!

(mom went to work and left her at home)

[momofboys]

I agree! But I think it's their responsibility to contact me. Mom did text and tell me dad would be dropping dcg off today "when they get up"..........

What do I say? This is plain ridiculous, rude, and unacceptable!

(mom went to work and left her at home)

Hmmmm, honestly, maybe I am passive-aggressive but I would say you were heading out with the kids to XYZ place or for whatever reason (if you go places) & say if she is not dropped off by X time she will not be able to attend today.

[Blackcat31]

If it is more than 5 minutes early I want advance notice. I don't charge for it. If it becomes often enough (more than once a week) and outside of my contracted hours with them then they would have to pay extra.

I don't have a cut off time for drop off. If we have plans I let them know and I have never had a problem with kids being on time.

K

Same here. If it's only 5 minutes or so early, I don't mind at all. Any more than that and I require advance notice.

I arrive at care about 15-20 minutes before first scheduled child so in some cases, I HAVE to have notice or I won't be here.

I also suggest to the family that we revisit the contract if the drop off time becomes earlier and earlier.

I don't allow drop offs before my opening time..... I am simply not here.

As for late drop offs, I do require the parent to notify me that they will be late. If they don't call to tell me and are 15 minutes past their scheduled drop off time, I consider them absent and do not have services available to them that day.

I have made exceptions but ONLY in extreme or rare circumstances.

I don't wait for anyone. I go about my day as planned whether or not everyone is present or not.

If a child is "off schedule" due to an irregular drop off time, I will send them home if it affects their behavior.

[MCC]

Does anyone know how the centers do it? I have a child here with divorced parents and he arrives anywhere from between 7:30-10:30. It drives me nuts, as he is my only one on MWF. They do not tell me in advance.

The reason I ask about centers is b/c he was in a center up until 2 months ago, and I'm curious if they are just taking advantage of me, or if they were doing it there too.

I don't mean to highjack this tread, but it doesn't seem to warrant a second post.

[Blackcat31]

I agree! But I think it's their responsibility to contact me. Mom did text and tell me dad would be dropping dcg off today "when they get up"..........

What do I say? This is plain ridiculous, rude, and unacceptable!

(mom went to work and left her at home)

Send them home a written notice.

Dear DCP

As of Monday April 15, 2013 ALL children MUST arrive at their scheduled times. If you are running late, ADVANCE notice must be provided a minimum of 15 minutes PRIOR to your scheduled drop off time.

If you do not arrive at your scheduled time or do not call when you are running late, your child will be considered absent and NO services will be available for that day.

It is absolutely vital that parents communicate with me as I serve multiple families in my child care and cannot make special arrangements or changes based solely on one family's needs verses what is best for the group.

Thank you for your consideration and respect in this matter.

Sincerely

Provider

[littlemissmuffet]

Almost all my parents have a contracted drop off time of 7:30am - so that's technically when I "open". I do not unlock my door a moment sooner.

I do not allow drop offs after 9am, unless child has a doctor appointment.

As long as a parent drops off between 7:30-9:00am it's fine. Though, I serve breakfast at 8am - if a child isn't here by 8:01am they miss out!