Specifically, How Do You Handle Pick-Up?

[preschoolteacher]

I have been wondering how involved I should be at pick up.

Imagine you have some friends over for dinner, and when it's time for them to leave, you walk them to the door, chat for a bit, and then see them off. This is how I have been handling pick up every day. I think it's been hard for me as a new provider to adjust from the "guests in my home" mentality to "this is a business" mentality.

It's not like we talk forever, but I usually tell them one thing their child did that day. But then I feel like, can I just walk away now? Do I have to see them out? I have few enough kids that I CAN stay by the door and talk to them. The other kids I have are in sight and usually occupied happily. I feel this weird pressure to be a good host!

What do you do at your house?

[Josiegirl]

Boot 'em out as quick as possible.
Ideally I would have them ready to go when dcp comes but because they're not always exactly on time I can't do that. So usually the dcks balk at getting ready, I try to encourage dck to put shoes on, etc. I send daily notes home so don't say a lot at pick up unless it wasn't included on the note. I do tend to stay in the living room to say goodbye, so do the dckids as they like saying bye to their friends too, and wave out the window to them. But then my house isn't overly big that I'd be too far away from the living room anyways.

[butterfly]

I kind of do it like you do, except that I try to be the one that is getting the child dressed to go out the door. It just seems to work best this way for me. While I'm dressing the child, I'm able to chat with the parents about the child's day. Once they are completely dressed I give them a hug and say "have a good night, Johny" or "see ya tomorrow" and it's kind of a cue to get the heck out of my house. :: It seems like if I don't do this, then the parents don't always take control and I've had a few VERY chatty parents that I just couldn't hardly get them out the door without specifically telling them that it's time to go now.

I also have a few kids that turn into little monsters when their parents are here and they try to test the boundaries. When they see that I'm still in control when mommy and daddy are here then they seem to be able to control themselves much better.

My pick up times seem to be pretty staggered for the most part though. If I had everyone coming at the same time, I couldn't do it this way.

[melilley]

I usually talk to my parents, well usually the moms, the dad's don't really talk much but I do at least say something about their child's day. Plus, I like my dcp's for the most part and don't mind talking to them. I only have my son plus 2-4 other children and pickups are staggered so I can talk to them.
I do have to say though, the length and depth of the conversations vary depending on if I feel like talking or not.

I actually have only had one parent that would stay forever. Her ds comes here and when he was breastfeeding, she would come and feed him and talk and talk and talk. She only lived 10 minutes away and most times he had just eaten. I didn't mind for the most part, but some days I just wanted to be done.

[Cradle2crayons]

My pickup goes a bit different because everyone is in bed asleep at pick up.

Mom 1 of two littlest.... She texts when she leaves work. I gather stuff etc. she texts when she hits the exit. Assuming she doesn't dodge or hit any deer on the way out here to the woods, she'll be here 5 minutes from that text. I get my special dcg up, change her diaper, dress, coat, shoes etc and sit her on the couch. I go get her infant brother up, change his diaper, shoes, jacket etc etc and get his bottle ready in case because it takes them an hour to get home. Perfect timing mom pulls up, she comes in and gets KY, I take the baby and car seat to the car and wave bye bye .

Mom 2 of 3 sibling set texts me when she hits the exit. Assuming no deer attack her on the way here, she'll be here in 4 minutes. I check belongings and gather shoes into their sack by the door. Mom comes in, wakes hem up, the boy and middle one walk and little one is carried out to he car. I wave bye .

End of story. Easy as pie.

[Heidi]

My pick up is similar to yours. All my kids are singles, though, and I only have 4 most days.

When I had sib groups, I'd anticipate pick up by getting everyone ready, then doing a few finger plays or songs until mom walked in the door. There were 2, then 4, in that family, so it cut down the chaos a lot. Plus, mom got to see us "in action"; I'm always "selling" the customer service around here.

[melilley]

My pick up is similar to yours. All my kids are singles, though, and I only have 4 most days.

When I had sib groups, I'd anticipate pick up by getting everyone ready, then doing a few finger plays or songs until mom walked in the door. There were 2, then 4, in that family, so it cut down the chaos a lot. Plus, mom got to see us "in action"; I'm always "selling" the customer service around here.

Yes, the "in action" pick ups are the best!

[misslori50]

Some moms are in a big hurry. I see them drive up have them get their stuff and meet mom at the door. sign out and on their way. The other one with a baby the dad asks me a million questions (all that are on his sheet) and makes the child tell me thank and has his daughter hug everyone. DRIVES ME INSANE

[Maria2013]

I have been wondering how involved I should be at pick up.

Imagine you have some friends over for dinner, and when it's time for them to leave, you walk them to the door, chat for a bit, and then see them off. This is how I have been handling pick up every day. I think it's been hard for me as a new provider to adjust from the "guests in my home" mentality to "this is a business" mentality.

It's not like we talk forever, but I usually tell them one thing their child did that day. But then I feel like, can I just walk away now? Do I have to see them out? I have few enough kids that I CAN stay by the door and talk to them. The other kids I have are in sight and usually occupied happily. I feel this weird pressure to be a good host!

What do you do at your house?

You can be a great host, just excuse yourself politely


I really can't leave all the kids alone, to see the one that's leaving to the door, the parents understand that and are ok with the way I do things

I n the morning kids come at different times so I do have the chance to greet each one at the door and chat a little

I know I do this for money, but it will never be just a job to me, I care for the kids and I care for their families and as long as I get respect for my rules and home, I'm willing to bend over backwards for the families I work for
yup I **** at business

[nannyde]

Some moms are in a big hurry. I see them drive up have them get their stuff and meet mom at the door. sign out and on their way. The other one with a baby the dad asks me a million questions (all that are on his sheet) and makes the child tell me thank and has his daughter hug everyone. DRIVES ME INSANE

He is forcing you to DO him and the kid and most importantly, he is stalling. He wants the time he has the kid by himself as little as possible. It looks like Super Dad but it is really controlling.

When he asks questions you say check the sheet. When he insists the child hug everyone tell him she already has and the kids don't want to do it again.

[Angelsj]

Some rush, some stay, some it depends on what they want to say or do after they pick up. I know a lot of providers have strict policies, but this just works for me.
I do NOT stop everything to talk. I still fetch drinks, still change babies, cook supper, still do all the things I need to do. If a parent is really chatty, I have had them chop onions or hand me diapers.
Maybe I am just weird, but it works. And most of the time, the kids behave well and just continue playing until the parent says, ok, go time. Then they go.

[Annalee]

He is forcing you to DO him and the kid and most importantly, he is stalling. He wants the time he has the kid by himself as little as possible. It looks like Super Dad but it is really controlling.

When he asks questions you say check the sheet. When he insists the child hug everyone tell him she already has and the kids don't want to do it again.

[daycare]

It all depends on the child, the parent and what went on that day.

Normally I have the kids all set to go, have the children read a book while they wait for their parents.

Most of the kids behave well when dad picks up, no so much when mom does. NOt too sure why, but this is what I have noticed.

Depending on who is picking up, will determine how long the pick up will take when I open the door. Sometimes I will chit chat about our day, what the kid did that was amazing and say see you guys tomorrow and help close the door.

If the child starts acting out, the second I see it, I remove myself from the area and say good-bye see you tomorrow and go about my way.

[Lucy]

I have been wondering how involved I should be at pick up.

Imagine you have some friends over for dinner, and when it's time for them to leave, you walk them to the door, chat for a bit, and then see them off. This is how I have been handling pick up every day. I think it's been hard for me as a new provider to adjust from the "guests in my home" mentality to "this is a business" mentality.

It's not like we talk forever, but I usually tell them one thing their child did that day. But then I feel like, can I just walk away now? Do I have to see them out? I have few enough kids that I CAN stay by the door and talk to them. The other kids I have are in sight and usually occupied happily. I feel this weird pressure to be a good host!

What do you do at your house?

This is me exactly! And I'm going on 20 years!!! I wish I could just open door, push kid out, close door. I actually do sometimes enjoy chatting. I've known them all for anywhere from 6-10 years.

[Maria2013]

I wish I could just open door, push kid out, close door.

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