Drop Off Cut Off Time

[Unregistered]

Does anybody have a drop off cut off time? Originally i never thought to do one because I thought parents would drop off when they say they needed care...but I have one family that drops off at random times. All of my kids are here by 8 and we are left waiting for the last child who comes anywhere between 8 and 9. Today she texted saying hopefully she will be here around 9. Now we have to wait for this child before we can start our day...its so annoying!

[Blackcat31]

Does anybody have a drop off cut off time? Originally i never thought to do one because I thought parents would drop off when they say they needed care...but I have one family that drops off at random times. All of my kids are here by 8 and we are left waiting for the last child who comes anywhere between 8 and 9. Today she texted saying hopefully she will be here around 9. Now we have to wait for this child before we can start our day...its so annoying!

No, I do not have a drop off cut off time. I simply go about my business. If a family isn't here when they said they would be, their child misses out on anything we had planned during that time.

If I planned to go for a walk, we go. NOT my problem if I am not here when the family does decide to show up. Even if they communicated they are running late....we still go about our day.

Perhaps, missing out on something or not finding you present when they do arrive will be enough of a natural consequence for them to understand/realize their lack of following a scheduled effects others.

I would never wait for ONE family when it delays everyone else. Their time is no more important or valuable than anyone elses.

[Unregistered]

I would go about my business but this child is very needy at drop off. I could be in the middlr of a story or teaching and I would have to stop to pry this child off of their parent. I would lose the whole focus of the group. Im thinking about having everyone get their shoes on when she drops off so she knows I wont be feeding her child breakfast, that we are on our way out for a morning walk. Contract says breakfast at 8 but she still makes comments about her needing breakfast at 8:45..-_-

[Blackcat31]

I would go about my business but this child is very needy at drop off. I could be in the middlr of a story or teaching and I would have to stop to pry this child off of their parent. I would lose the whole focus of the group. Im thinking about having everyone get their shoes on when she drops off so she knows I wont be feeding her child breakfast, that we are on our way out for a morning walk. Contract says breakfast at 8 but she still makes comments about her needing breakfast at 8:45..-_-

In that situation, I would turn them away at the door and tell her to go home and feed her child and then bring him/her back. I won't take a child that is hungry and I wont change my schedule for ONE child (actually one parent that can't get her ducks in a row...!)

In your situation, it sounds like you might have to have a cut off (even just for that family) in order to keep your sanity and in order to keep this mom on track.

[Snowmom]

I would go about my business but this child is very needy at drop off. I could be in the middlr of a story or teaching and I would have to stop to pry this child off of their parent. I would lose the whole focus of the group. Im thinking about having everyone get their shoes on when she drops off so she knows I wont be feeding her child breakfast, that we are on our way out for a morning walk. Contract says breakfast at 8 but she still makes comments about her needing breakfast at 8:45..-_-

Just tell her she missed breakfast. "The posted breakfast time is 7:30-8:00, if you arrive after X, then you need to feed your child at home".
It never works to drop hints or imply (by putting on shoes), telling them "no" works.

I do have a cut off time. Mainly because I need to get my SA'ers on the bus and the bus stop is my driveway, so I don't want any cars pulling in.
8:45 is my cut off time. If they're not here by 8:30, I text the parent asking if they plan on coming and that no arrivals are accepted past 8:45.
I do however tell families that if they need to schedule a late arrival, I am happy to do that with at least 12 hours advance notice and that it not be scheduled between 8:45-9:00.

[daycare]

I do have a cut off time. it is 9am. if you are dropping off at that time, your child must be fed and ready to start their day.

I run a preschool program and I just started as a mentor teacher for the college, so I have to run a tight ship.

If you are not here by 9, I will see you tomorrow.

I am also strict about my breakfast time. Here no later than 8:15, or you can't drop off, you can go home, eat and be back at 9.

I also have set fees that I charge if you get here after 8:15 and still want to eat breakfast. I would say only about once a month I have to charge that late fee.

I too can't deal with kids coming in late and they they disrupt our class time. Good luck getting it all back under control. stinks

[bklsmum]

I ask that no one be dropped off later than 9 unless they have an appointment or have received permission before hand. I also have a rule that parents can not drop off more than an hour past their scheduled drop off, excepting the above conditions and I stop serving breakfast at 7:45 so if they are not here by then they must eat at home and I do not allow outside food.

[Annalee]

Does anybody have a drop off cut off time? Originally i never thought to do one because I thought parents would drop off when they say they needed care...but I have one family that drops off at random times. All of my kids are here by 8 and we are left waiting for the last child who comes anywhere between 8 and 9. Today she texted saying hopefully she will be here around 9. Now we have to wait for this child before we can start our day...its so annoying!

My cut-off time is 8:00 AM and the door is locked at this time!

[CityGarden]

I have drop off and pick up windows....

My drop off window is 8:30 - 9:30am - right now only those with working parents or those who want a quiet transition for their child drop off at 8:30am, most come between 9:00am and 9:30am.... I like the staggered drop off as it allows time for me to individually greet each student/family. I like them all there by 9:30am as we have a preschool program and go to the park daily so it can be challenging/distracting for a child to come in the middle of that.

The pick up window is out of respect for naps.

I will accept children outside of these hours but I explain why we have the windows we do and so far parents have respected that with only an occasional doctors appointment or something.

[Blackcat31]

I am curious.... do all of you that have a cut off time for drop offs operate a "preschool" type program that follows a strict daily schedule?

I guess as a child care provider, I am having a hard time understanding this concept... in *some* specific cases; like OP's, I can understand needing to have a family state their drop off time and then enforcing it but as a parent I am not understanding this policy. :confused:

[Ariana]

I don't have a cut off time either. I have a suggested drop off time and ask that the parents give notice if they need to drop off outside of that time. I always tell parents that our day will not be held up if there is a late drop off without notice. Parents are welcome to drop kids off at the park if we are there and at my outside gate.

Breakfast is served here between 7:30-8am and not after that. My first snack is 9:30-10am so the child won't be waiting long to eat if they miss breakfast.

[CityGarden]

I am curious.... do all of you that have a cut off time for drop offs operate a "preschool" type program that follows a strict daily schedule?

I guess as a child care provider, I am having a hard time understanding this concept... in *some* specific cases; like OP's, I can understand needing to have a family state their drop off time and then enforcing it but as a parent I am not understanding this policy. :confused:

While I have a preschool program with a predictable daily rhythm it is not a strict daily schedule. I find having a drop off window is a matter of consideration for the parent as well as our program.

As a parent I would rather know if I drop off by 9:30am the class will be there, if later they may be at the park, on a walk, etc. I may have to wait or go the them... Or for example if I drop off after 11:00am my child may miss the specialist that comes in that day. We do not wait for children to all arrive we continue our rhythm but by design I have the first hour as free play before any focused activities, art, snack, special guest or outing.

Our drop off window is a suggestion for them to get the most out of our program but it is not required.

[Cat Herder]

I am curious.... do all of you that have a cut off time for drop offs operate a "preschool" type program that follows a strict daily schedule?

I guess as a child care provider, I am having a hard time understanding this concept... in *some* specific cases; like OP's, I can understand needing to have a family state their drop off time and then enforcing it but as a parent I am not understanding this policy. :confused:

My schedule is laid back and child led; as is my learning environment. Not allowing extra, adult created, transition periods is a huge part of that peaceful environment. There are already enough natural transition periods and child created breaks in learning and creativity.

I already have a 3 hour drop-off window to manage. That is plenty.

[Blackcat31]

While I have a preschool program with a predictable daily rhythm it is not a strict daily schedule. I find having a drop off window is a matter of consideration for the parent as well as our program.

As a parent I would rather know if I drop off by 9:30am the class will be there, if later they may be at the park, on a walk, etc. I may have to wait or go the them... Or for example if I drop off after 11:00am my child may miss the specialist that comes in that day. We do not wait for children to all arrive we continue our rhythm but by design I have the first hour as free play before any focused activities, art, snack, special guest or outing.

Our drop off window is a suggestion for them to get the most out of our program but it is not required.

I understand the need to know when a parent is dropping off. That part makes sense... I am referring to those that have a strict "see you tomorrow if you aren't here by X time" policy.... as a parent myself I kind of feel like it's restrictive in a way.

With the push for so much more education verses care happening in this profession I am wondering where those parents that DO value any extra face time with their child go? I understand school (as in Kindergarten and up) having a strict start time but I don't understand child CARES having them.

If a parent gives me their schedule for next week saying they will drop off every day except Thursday at 9AM but will be dropping the child off at say 11:00 on Thursday then I would fully expect them to drop off every day at 9AM except Thursday.

I WOULD allow the later drop off on Thursday but from what I am reading (and trying to understand) is that many providers with a strict drop off policy would not allow it. That is what I am having a hard time "getting"

My schedule is laid back and child led; as is my learning environment. Not allowing extra, adult created, transition periods is a huge part of that peaceful environment. There are already enough natural transition periods and child created breaks in learning and creativity.

I already have a 3 hour drop-off window to manage. That is plenty.

But do you have a "You weren't here by X time so no attendance allowed at all today" policy.

Apologies if I am confusing....for someone that can create forms and easily write letters/notes/reminders for parents I sure struggle with wording my questions and perspectives sometimes....

[Cat Herder]

But do you have a "You weren't here by X time so no attendance allowed at all today" policy.

Yes.

By my cut-off time I will have already prepared all meals, snacks, projects, activities and linens for the day. We would have just finished music and morning snack, potty time and diaper changes.

Littles would be going down for naps, bigs would be beginning pre-school circle time with me.

If 3yo "He slept late and wanted IHOP for breakfast, so probably won't eat lunch or take nap today." or 18mo "She just had a blow out all over her carseat, is covered in syrup from Burger King and needs a bath, so sorry." arrives in the middle of that... well you know.

I have no assistant. Pre-planning and routine are my main classroom management tools.