Picking Up Early/Late

[mrsnj]

What are your policies for picking up earlier or later than normal/scheduled?

This week I am going batty. Several picks up early. Some only slightly off. One during naptime! The Gparents for the new DCB came to pick up. Didn't know which house I was at so went around my neighborhood knocking on doors. Got one of my DCP, who works nights BTW and was woke up, and he directed them to me. They in turn went BANG BANG BANG on my door right in the middle of naps which set off the dogs which set off the babies and I had a houseful of criers! Then to top it off when I go to get DCB the Gmom walks in behind me and sets the babies off crying MORE! Seriously?! Its NAPS! *sigh* Today a parent shows at my busiest time of the day. My routine is to feed the babies and set them up for bottles and then I call my older prek-ers in to start learning time. I had JUST got the babies settled and someone is at my door! BANG BANG BANG Mom comes to pick up early so they can go shopping. That set the dogs off barking....set the babies crying.....OMG what is with these parents!? I am getting frustrated! They leave and I have to deal with the upset and mess! I want an open door policy but this is disruptive! Now had any one of these people called, I could have gotten them ready, locked the dogs away, packed them up and pick up would have been so much smoother and nicer! Instead I got a madhouse and crying kids!

Maybe I am doing something wrong.
Do you require calls to pick up? (Or drop off later than normal?) Or do you take the knocks on the door all day? What do you do to handle this??

[Meyou]

I ask for a call for drop offs after 9am and pickups before 3:30pm. My schedule works around those times.

A naptime pickup would be something we talked about in advance (and for a good reason!) and I would have the child ready to go out the door and often I meet them outside in the driveway.

[butterfly]

I don't worry about pickup times, but I haven't had the mess that you are going through. I lovethis early pickup times. Honestly!

I would talk to all the parents and request a call or text before pickup if they are coming outside of their usual times. Explain how it disrupts the day, wakes the baby, etc.

:hug:

[Crazy8]

I am fine with the earlier pick ups - like 4pm for the 5pm kid! But I do ask that parents text me if they will be picking up/dropping off outside their normal contracted hours and pick ups during naps are discouraged and if they are required they need to inform me at drop off and then text me when on their way (cause don't you love when you get little Johnny up from nap and ready to go home at 1:30 as requested and mom decides to show up at 2:30???). This is one of the cases it really helps to have contracted hours and text communications comes in handy too!!!

[mrsnj]

Well the 4pm vs 5pm isn't such a biggie. But the middle of learning or lunch or naps is very disruptive. Or to have them show after lunch for drop off and not be fed or dropped off three hrs late during a story time or while I am on a walk or ...I had someone show almost everyday this wk. All of a sudden people's phones aren't working or something?

Guess its time to sent out reminders

[BlackBear]

In my contract and policy handbook

In my contract:
Overtime Fees
Dropping earlier or picking up later than the times stipulated in this contract requires at least 12 hours notice. Overtime fee is $4 per 15 minutes increments. If inadequate or no notice is given then overtime fee is $1 per minute.

Client’s child will need to be picked up within one hour from the time of provider’s call (e.g. sick child, early closings etc) then overtime fee of $1 per minute will apply.

Overtime fees are due at the end of the same day of care. Overtime fees may be charged to the next bill at the discretion of the provider.

In my policies:
Open Door Policy
Only parents and legal guardians are welcome to make unannounced visits to the daycare. The door remains locked at all times and I generally do not answer the door during daycare hours unless it has been pre-arranged (e.g. appointment with plumber etc.) due to safety reasons. So please do not knock or ring the doorbell as I will not answer it.
Please adhere to the following when planning your unannounced visit:
• visits between 1pm -3.30pm are not permitted as this is the children’s nap/rest time unless it is an emergency
• please call me upon arriving at the doorstep to let me know you are here
• please note that if I do not immediately open the door, it is because I am finishing some child-related task e.g. diapering, feeding etc. or/and I am securing the children before opening the door which may take a few minutes
Please be sensitive to the other children as they may become upset/act up during your visit because you are a stranger to them and their routine has been disrupted. I will not be able to have a one to one conversation with you as this will take my focus and attention away from the children. If you would like to speak to me in person, please arrange a meeting after hours. Visits are limited to 20 minutes. Please plan on taking your child when you leave – this is non-negotiable. It is incredibly confusing to a child when a parent appears to be coming to get them then leaves without them. This is the kind of disruption that is to be avoided at all costs.

Nap and Rest Time
Visits, drop offs and pickups are not allowed during this time to avoid disturbances to the children’s rest, unless it is an emergency.

I hope this helps

[BlackBear]

Also...

In my policy

Meals

You are required to feed your baby’s first bottle in the morning before drop off unless the baby is still sleeping.

If your child arrives after breakfast/lunchtime, please make sure your child has eaten before arriving to daycare. I recommend that you also pack a snack and drink for the ride home.

Hope this helps too... I copied, cut and pasted my contract and policy handbook that were relevant to your questions.... My policy handbook is almost 20 pages long and my contract is 5 pages long!!!

[LaLa1923]

What are your policies for picking up earlier or later than normal/scheduled?

This week I am going batty. Several picks up early. Some only slightly off. One during naptime! The Gparents for the new DCB came to pick up. Didn't know which house I was at so went around my neighborhood knocking on doors. Got one of my DCP, who works nights BTW and was woke up, and he directed them to me. They in turn went BANG BANG BANG on my door right in the middle of naps which set off the dogs which set off the babies and I had a houseful of criers! Then to top it off when I go to get DCB the Gmom walks in behind me and sets the babies off crying MORE! Seriously?! Its NAPS! *sigh* Today a parent shows at my busiest time of the day. My routine is to feed the babies and set them up for bottles and then I call my older prek-ers in to start learning time. I had JUST got the babies settled and someone is at my door! BANG BANG BANG Mom comes to pick up early so they can go shopping. That set the dogs off barking....set the babies crying.....OMG what is with these parents!? I am getting frustrated! They leave and I have to deal with the upset and mess! I want an open door policy but this is disruptive! Now had any one of these people called, I could have gotten them ready, locked the dogs away, packed them up and pick up would have been so much smoother and nicer! Instead I got a madhouse and crying kids!

Maybe I am doing something wrong.
Do you require calls to pick up? (Or drop off later than normal?) Or do you take the knocks on the door all day? What do you do to handle this??

I require texts or calls for early or late pickups. I've never had a parent bat an eye at this policy because it's simple consideration for other people.

Also, NO pickups or drop offs allowed during nap.

[Familycare71]

In my contract:
Overtime Fees
Dropping earlier or picking up later than the times stipulated in this contract requires at least 12 hours notice. Overtime fee is $4 per 15 minutes increments. If inadequate or no notice is given then overtime fee is $1 per minute.

Client’s child will need to be picked up within one hour from the time of provider’s call (e.g. sick child, early closings etc) then overtime fee of $1 per minute will apply.

Overtime fees are due at the end of the same day of care. Overtime fees may be charged to the next bill at the discretion of the provider.

In my policies:
Open Door Policy
Only parents and legal guardians are welcome to make unannounced visits to the daycare. The door remains locked at all times and I generally do not answer the door during daycare hours unless it has been pre-arranged (e.g. appointment with plumber etc.) due to safety reasons. So please do not knock or ring the doorbell as I will not answer it.
Please adhere to the following when planning your unannounced visit:
• visits between 1pm -3.30pm are not permitted as this is the children’s nap/rest time unless it is an emergency
• please call me upon arriving at the doorstep to let me know you are here
• please note that if I do not immediately open the door, it is because I am finishing some child-related task e.g. diapering, feeding etc. or/and I am securing the children before opening the door which may take a few minutes
Please be sensitive to the other children as they may become upset/act up during your visit because you are a stranger to them and their routine has been disrupted. I will not be able to have a one to one conversation with you as this will take my focus and attention away from the children. If you would like to speak to me in person, please arrange a meeting after hours. Visits are limited to 20 minutes. Please plan on taking your child when you leave – this is non-negotiable. It is incredibly confusing to a child when a parent appears to be coming to get them then leaves without them. This is the kind of disruption that is to be avoided at all costs.

Nap and Rest Time
Visits, drop offs and pickups are not allowed during this time to avoid disturbances to the children’s rest, unless it is an emergency.

I hope this helps

I am going to use this if you don't mind. It's perfect!

[Laurel]

What are your policies for picking up earlier or later than normal/scheduled?

This week I am going batty. Several picks up early. Some only slightly off. One during naptime! The Gparents for the new DCB came to pick up. Didn't know which house I was at so went around my neighborhood knocking on doors. Got one of my DCP, who works nights BTW and was woke up, and he directed them to me. They in turn went BANG BANG BANG on my door right in the middle of naps which set off the dogs which set off the babies and I had a houseful of criers! Then to top it off when I go to get DCB the Gmom walks in behind me and sets the babies off crying MORE! Seriously?! Its NAPS! *sigh* Today a parent shows at my busiest time of the day. My routine is to feed the babies and set them up for bottles and then I call my older prek-ers in to start learning time. I had JUST got the babies settled and someone is at my door! BANG BANG BANG Mom comes to pick up early so they can go shopping. That set the dogs off barking....set the babies crying.....OMG what is with these parents!? I am getting frustrated! They leave and I have to deal with the upset and mess! I want an open door policy but this is disruptive! Now had any one of these people called, I could have gotten them ready, locked the dogs away, packed them up and pick up would have been so much smoother and nicer! Instead I got a madhouse and crying kids!

Maybe I am doing something wrong.
Do you require calls to pick up? (Or drop off later than normal?) Or do you take the knocks on the door all day? What do you do to handle this??

I don't really have this problem. I'm sure someone must have come early without calling but I don't remember it. I have had a few call about 20 minutes or so before they come. I have a parent now who does that from time to time.

I do have delivery people, etc. knocking and they have felt my wrath (in a nice way). I have the Fed Ex guy and the mail lady trained to knock gently at nap time.

Since it is happening with more than one of your parents, I'd probably send home a note saying that this is a problem and why.

Laurel

[BlackBear]

I am going to use this if you don't mind. It's perfect!

Use away!!

[awilliams123]

There is a clause in all of my contracts that states parents must call at least 15 minutes in advance for early and late pickups. Establishing your rules up front is very important. I don't charge late fees as long as they aren't late on a regular basis. But I don't like it when they come early without calling ahead because it is very disruptive, especially at nap time or during activity times. When they call ahead I have their child ready and the door open so they don't have to knock. I VERY STRICTLY enforce the rules of my daycare and won't hesitate to withdraw a child whose parents I feel don't respect my rules. Money isn't everything, peace of mind is much more important to me. I haven't always been this way, but 23 years of experience has taught me to be this way. It has worked wonderfully for me, as a result I don't have a lot of problems with my parents.