Do You Mind If Parents Pick Up Early?

[Kabob]

Today I had 2 parents call me to ask if they could pick up their child early. This is the 3rd time this week I've been asked permission to pick up early. They act like I'll be mad. I reassure them that while I appreciate the heads up, they are more than welcome to spend more time with their child and pick up early (although they know I prefer to keep nap time quiet so they have yet to ask to pick up that early). It really doesn't affect my day as I usually have at least one child here until closing and the parents all pay for the scheduled time even if they don't use it all.

So...why the worry about picking up early? I've got nothing to hide and although I like having a schedule, kids like being with their parents more.

I'm sure most of you guys would not mind parents picking up early...but (other than nap), is there a time you don't like early pick ups?

They make me feel like they think I'm a big meanie who wants to hoard their children or like I'm a scheduling perfectionist.

[sahm1225]

When my ds was in home daycare, his provider would get mad if I picked up early. I would get a little speech about keeping him on schedule! It got to the point that dh wouldn't pick him up early if he got off because she would lecture him about how we needed to continue his schedule.

I'm a provider now & parents always ask. I think it's sweet. I make sure we are not starting any projects during the early pick up that their child will miss or be disappointed that they are missing. It drives me nuts when they say they will pick up early and then they don't because I basically rearranged the schedule to accommodate the early picj up

[racemom]

I love when they pick up early. I work in a center, if that makes a difference in my view. When parents come early the kids are so excited. It is a special treat. If the want to pick up during nap, we put that child and their belongings near the door so they don't disturb the rest of the group.

[daycare]

I tell parents your contracted times set means that you have to pick up BY 530, it does not mean at 530.

One thing about early pick ups, is that I tell parents it's nice if you give me a heads up so that I don't let your child get knee deep into paint or etc. so text me when you are on your way.

I have parents always tell me today I am picking up early but then never do...

[Blackcat31]

Today I had 2 parents call me to ask if they could pick up their child early. This is the 3rd time this week I've been asked permission to pick up early. They act like I'll be mad. I reassure them that while I appreciate the heads up, they are more than welcome to spend more time with their child and pick up early (although they know I prefer to keep nap time quiet so they have yet to ask to pick up that early). It really doesn't affect my day as I usually have at least one child here until closing and the parents all pay for the scheduled time even if they don't use it all.

So...why the worry about picking up early? I've got nothing to hide and although I like having a schedule, kids like being with their parents more.

I'm sure most of you guys would not mind parents picking up early...but (other than nap), is there a time you don't like early pick ups?

They make me feel like they think I'm a big meanie who wants to hoard their children or like I'm a scheduling perfectionist.

I think the concept comes from when we interview, we stress the importance of sticking with your contracted or scheduled times and really most of us are referring to early drop offs and late pick ups but parents just apply "sticking to your contracted/scheduled" across the board so they think picking up early falls into that area of "sticking to contracted/scheduled times".

.... as I am typing my reply 2 DCM show up early (one an hour and another 2 hours early). ::

[Crazy8]

I love it! I do appreciate the heads up though, so I think when parents "ask" me they are really just telling me in a nice way. Of course I am not going to say no!!

I do HATE when people tell me they are picking up early and then 15 min. before that time they text me that they'll be coming normal time. Especially when they are my ONLY late kids and I make other plans based on that earlier pick up time but I feel like I can't tell them no because they are contracted till that time. I have told a parent from now on don't tell me you are picking up early until you are on your way, you've disappointed me way too many times.

[Kabob]

I think the concept comes from when we interview, we stress the importance of sticking with your contracted or scheduled times and really most of us are referring to early drop offs and late pick ups but parents just apply "sticking to your contracted/scheduled" across the board so they think picking up early falls into that area of "sticking to contracted/scheduled times".

.... as I am typing my reply 2 DCM show up early (one an hour and another 2 hours early). ::

Heh. Yeah. After my last few disasters, I really have been hammering on the sticking to the scheduled times thing. When the newest parents arrived early or way late (like by an hour late without calling), I nipped it in the bud. Now I think that THEY think I hate changing the schedule. ::

After having a suspected dose and drop, I talked to the parent about my suspicion and the consequences and now they keep their child home for days for without me having to ask (and they still pay on time).

I am just wondering if I really am that scary or if it's just a daycare parent thing.

Daycare did mention a good point...one dck really doesn't want to leave if we're in the middle of an activity so now I think one parent lets me know when they are coming early so they don't have to drag a screaming kiddo out the door.

[Meyou]

I don't mind unless it's during naptime and we haven't talked about it previously. My parents often pick up early but usually wait until after nap and snack so the kids routine is consistent. My monkeys like their snack time.

[Play Care]

I'm never sure how to respond when a parent asks me if they can pick up early.

"Of course you can, it's YOUR child!"::

And then of course there are those who say they are picking up early...

[Leigh]

Do I mind? I do a 5 minute happy dance when I unexpectedly get off work 2-3 hours early!

[daycare]

Do I mind? I do a 5 minute happy dance when I unexpectedly get off work 2-3 hours early!

aint that the truth, especially on fridays........

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I love it most of the time. I hate it if it is 10 minutes earlier than our normal pick up time window (4:40-5:00) because I am having the kids clean up at that point and they always seem to want to chat???? I now just leave them in the front and go back to what I was doing because I don't have time for that when my other kids are supposed to be cleaning up.

[e.j.]

I don't mind early pick ups unless it becomes prolonged and interferes with our routine. It drives me crazy when parents show up just as I'm trying to get the rest of the kids down for their nap and they just hang around talking instead of leaving right away.

[KidGrind]

Not at all.

[Kabob]

So the consensus seems to be that it's the parents trying to be respectful.

All of my families picked up early yesterday so I can't complain. Maybe I'm finally getting the good parents. happyface