Ideas For Drop Off And Pick Up (New Space)

[LittleScholars]

I just re-opened after my maternity leave, and we are in a new space (in my basement). This is a tricky question without seeing my layout, but I'm hoping someone may have a similar setup and a creative solution for these times.

-I have a pick up and drop off window, but each span over an hour (and thanks to all of your previous feedback we've really cleaned up those times)
-I have a two story house, and we are now in the basement. To get to the basement, you have to walk through my house.
-I can hear the doorbell, but getting up and down the stairs is particularly tricky because I have an infant now.
-We do have an egress door that goes outside, but I live in snowy Upstate NY, so this isn't an option for quite a few months out of the year. The cement stairs also concern me during any wet months.
-I did keep a small area for a playroom upstairs, but it doesn't have much in it now. We get super bored, super fast.

Would you just have parents walk through the house and come down? Would you just keep kids in the small area upstairs during the window? I hate to leave the door unlocked most of the day, and we had a very small issue with a sibling wandering around the house yesterday (it was totally harmless and I addressed it, but it could have gone wrong). Does anyone have a similar setup and a good system?

Thank you! I ask the silliest questions, but you are all so helpful!

[LittleScholars]

Taking infants outside

I just returned from maternity leave with my 5 week old. I live in Upstate NY, so we get a variety of weather. Right now it is above freezing, but it is cold and snowy. I have active toddlers that are used to going outside.

For those of you that have a mixed age group (young infants/toddlers) and live in areas that get cold, how do you manage this? I work alone and getting help isn't an option right now.

[Blackcat31]

I just re-opened after my maternity leave, and we are in a new space (in my basement). This is a tricky question without seeing my layout, but I'm hoping someone may have a similar setup and a creative solution for these times.

-I have a pick up and drop off window, but each span over an hour (and thanks to all of your previous feedback we've really cleaned up those times)
-I have a two story house, and we are now in the basement. To get to the basement, you have to walk through my house.
-I can hear the doorbell, but getting up and down the stairs is particularly tricky because I have an infant now.
-We do have an egress door that goes outside, but I live in snowy Upstate NY, so this isn't an option for quite a few months out of the year. The cement stairs also concern me during any wet months.
-I did keep a small area for a playroom upstairs, but it doesn't have much in it now. We get super bored, super fast.

Would you just have parents walk through the house and come down? Would you just keep kids in the small area upstairs during the window? I hate to leave the door unlocked most of the day, and we had a very small issue with a sibling wandering around the house yesterday (it was totally harmless and I addressed it, but it could have gone wrong). Does anyone have a similar setup and a good system?

Thank you! I ask the silliest questions, but you are all so helpful!

What time frames are your pick ups and drop offs?

If they are or could be condensed enough I'd definitely plan activities in the upper room near the door just to eliminate some of the issues you are having now.

I do think the best solution is a door where the egress window is but living in northern MN, I understand about weather and having to delay certain projects until better weather occurs.

Another solution is to get a RING doorbell. You can keep the door locked and still be able to see and talk to anyone at the door (via your smart phone).

[daycarediva]

I am in NY- both egresses are required to be kept clear, so even if you aren't using it- it should be shoveled out.


I would do an upstairs activity upstairs during the one hour drop off and one hour pick up window. No way do I want families coming/going in my house, nor woul I want to be running up/down the stairs for those times.

[Blackcat31]

I am in NY- both egresses are required to be kept clear, so even if you aren't using it- it should be shoveled out.


I would do an upstairs activity upstairs during the one hour drop off and one hour pick up window. No way do I want families coming/going in my house, nor woul I want to be running up/down the stairs for those times.

My bad, I thought it was an egress window that could be made into a door just now now because of winter.

But yes, if it is already a door, I'd figure out a way to clear it since all exits to and from the play areas should always be clear and useable just in case.

[racemom]

Find special activities to do in your upstairs playroom so they don't get bored. Special toys, with a timer so they only get to play with those toys for ten minutes and then you move onto the next. Or do some special group activities that are only done at that time, coloring, puzzles, dance. Anything that they do not get to do the rest of the day, make that a special time, so they look forward to upstairs time.

[childcaremom]

I have the same set up, minus the infant. ::

I can see from the basement window when families arrive and I go up and meet them at the door. I take the child and parents leave without even coming in. This lets me and dck get undressed and downstairs much more quickly and reduces any morning conferences. If I had an infant, or a child that I couldn't leave for a minute, then I would have a pack n play set up (or other safe place) to set them while I meet kids at the door.

I've also done table set ups upstairs (so colouring, activities) etc while everyone arrives and then we can go downstairs as a group.

I used to let parents come in and downstairs but had a lot of issues. Outdoor footwear in the house. Parents lingering. Parents wandering through my house upstairs after I thought they left!! Etc. Now they don't get to come in past the doorway.

[CityGarden]

I would shorten your drop off and pick up window.... (but also consider building in some flexibility)

My dd's first preschool had a 15 minute drop off / pick up window - stated it was due to them being in a residential neighborhood. So drop off was between 9-9:15am pick up was 12-12:15pm. They actually had a teacher walk children back and fourth from the "car line" to the outdoor play yard each morning. IF a parent was late the child could still come but we needed to park about a half block away, be buzzed into a gate (sometimes there was a delay due to them being focused on the children) and walk our child in. (We loved it there but left due to the very limited hours.)

[Poptarts22]

My set up is similar. I use a security camera and driveway alarm to signal when a parent arrives. I take the child up to the parent. They dress by the front door. I keep a baby gate latched to keep them from wondering through my home should they come in before I get to the door.

[LittleScholars]

I just returned from maternity leave with my 5 week old. I live in Upstate NY, so we get a variety of weather. Right now it is above freezing, but it is cold and snowy. I have active toddlers that are used to going outside.

For those of you that have a mixed age group (young infants/toddlers) and live in areas that get cold, how do you manage this? I work alone and getting help isn't an option right now.

Oops! Mom brain. That was supposed to be a new thread!

[LittleScholars]

I am in NY- both egresses are required to be kept clear, so even if you aren't using it- it should be shoveled out.


I would do an upstairs activity upstairs during the one hour drop off and one hour pick up window. No way do I want families coming/going in my house, nor woul I want to be running up/down the stairs for those times.

We keep is shoveled, but feet would still get wet coming to the door. We have cement stairs and that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

[LittleScholars]

Find special activities to do in your upstairs playroom so they don't get bored. Special toys, with a timer so they only get to play with those toys for ten minutes and then you move onto the next. Or do some special group activities that are only done at that time, coloring, puzzles, dance. Anything that they do not get to do the rest of the day, make that a special time, so they look forward to upstairs time.

Oh, smart!

[LittleScholars]

I have the same set up, minus the infant. ::

I can see from the basement window when families arrive and I go up and meet them at the door. I take the child and parents leave without even coming in. This lets me and dck get undressed and downstairs much more quickly and reduces any morning conferences. If I had an infant, or a child that I couldn't leave for a minute, then I would have a pack n play set up (or other safe place) to set them while I meet kids at the door.

I've also done table set ups upstairs (so colouring, activities) etc while everyone arrives and then we can go downstairs as a group.

I used to let parents come in and downstairs but had a lot of issues. Outdoor footwear in the house. Parents lingering. Parents wandering through my house upstairs after I thought they left!! Etc. Now they don't get to come in past the doorway.

This is super helpful and those are the issues I'm worried about.

[LittleScholars]

My set up is similar. I use a security camera and driveway alarm to signal when a parent arrives. I take the child up to the parent. They dress by the front door. I keep a baby gate latched to keep them from wondering through my home should they come in before I get to the door.

Oh, a baby gate is smart!! I also know that if I tell them to wait they will, but I wasn't sure what was best.

[LittleScholars]

I would shorten your drop off and pick up window.... (but also consider building in some flexibility)

My dd's first preschool had a 15 minute drop off / pick up window - stated it was due to them being in a residential neighborhood. So drop off was between 9-9:15am pick up was 12-12:15pm. They actually had a teacher walk children back and fourth from the "car line" to the outdoor play yard each morning. IF a parent was late the child could still come but we needed to park about a half block away, be buzzed into a gate (sometimes there was a delay due to them being focused on the children) and walk our child in. (We loved it there but left due to the very limited hours.)

Going forward, I think I will shorten that window. I'm nervous how current families would respond. I'm definitely going to think about this.