How Do You Handle DCK Appointments?

[Core12]

Another reputable licensed home daycare in my area requires parents to give advanced notice for early pickup appointments. She also requires parents to pick up their child at 11:30 regardless of the appointment time (so if the appointment is at 3 pm,parents still must pick up by 11:30 am).
I really admire this woman’s policies and plan on implementing similar policies in the future.
What are your thoughts about set pick up times for appointments?
Also, if you request drop off at 7:30, and the children show up between 7:30-8:00 am...what do you do? Is it legal to just say, “ any child not here by 8 am, will not be served breakfast?”
Thanks!

[Ariana]

I cannot bar anyone from picking up their kid at any time! I do however have in my policies that I would prefer kids not be picked up or dropped off from 12-3pm during nap. I also tell them that if they will be dropping off or picking up outside of their regular time they must inform me as we may be away from the daycare or out in the yard when they arrive. I also note that it is best to schedule appointments around the daycare nap schedule or when the child will be at home.

I am not licensed and don’t serve breakfast but you have the right to not serve breakfast past a certain hour as far as I know.

[hwichlaz]

If children show up after breakfast service is over, they don’t get breakfast. This is a food program thing.

[lovemykidstoo]

If children show up after breakfast service is over, they don’t get breakfast. This is a food program thing.

Exactly. The food program gives you (or you work it out between you and your rep) what time meals are. After that, they're on their own.

As far as picking up for appts or whatever, I also highly encourage them to not pick up during naptime, but sometimes it can't be helped. I have an in-home daycare for 6, so if I know they're coming ahead of time, I just make sure that child is in a separate room sleeping so I don't wake the others. I guess I can feel for the parent a bit because I had my son in daycare for almost 3 years. I feel for the parent that cannot get out of work at a certain time like you said that person said to pick up by 11:30 regardless of appt time. That's a bit much in my opinion. A parent does not always have the luxury of leaving work at 11:30. Like Ariana said, we cannot legally keep a parent from picking up their child. I guess you could request it, but the parent could show up anyway and you'd have to turn over the child. If it was a huge issue you could term because it doesn't fit into what you want to do in your business. I almost feel like this person you're writing about, sometimes business owners get into a power trip type of thing with parents. I mean really if someone has a doctor appt or is leaving to go out of town and you know ahead of time, what is the problem with accomadating the parent? The only time I get irritated is when I lay down all of my munchkins and a parent bops in way early to pickup. I get irritated because if I'd known, I would have put that child in a different room.

[ColorfulSunburst]

I allow parents to pick up kids at any time they need. I just ask them to avoid to do it during nap time if it is possible.
If it is not possible they should text me when they are outside.

[HappyEverAfter]

I allow pick up at anytime but it’s in my handbook that parents should make every effort not to come at nap times when possible. I wouldn’t really have a reason outside of naps why they would have to be picked up by a certain time regardless of their appointment time so that 11:30 rule wouldn’t be something I’d add.
As for breakfast, I do have a rule that if they aren’t here by 8:15 that they’ll not be given breakfast. If I didn’t do this, because mine arrive at all different times, I’d be fixing breakfast several times each morning and my whole group would have to come sit in the kitchen while one late arriving child sat and ate breakfast. I do offer a morning snack later though so if you miss breakfast, you can still eat a snack later.

[AmyKidsCo]

I allow pick ups whenever. My parents know that naptime isn't a great time so they're always really fast and quiet if they have to come during naps.

[CityGarden]

I allow pick ups whenever. My parents know that naptime isn't a great time so they're always really fast and quiet if they have to come during naps.

My experience so far has been similar to AmyKidsCo's experience.

[Josiegirl]

My experience so far has been similar to AmyKidsCo's experience.

Same here and I haven't had much of a problem. If I did then I would definitely request they pick up before naptime so as not to disturb everyone. Obviously some parents haven't had to deal with the challenge of 5 or more extremely cranky tired kiddos for half a day.

[Cat Herder]

No pickups during nap except for pre scheduled doctor appointments. Notification in advance. I change them into clean clothes, bathe if necessary and do hair/nails. Well checks start at 1pm, here. Satellite offices .

I will do conferences during nap for those who can't come after closing or before opening, when requested. They bring starbucks as a convenience fee typically.

As far as meals go it depends on the parent. If it is someone who is usually dependable, obviously stressed, I will simply handle it. If it is someone who could benefit from a no, I send them to go get breakfast and return by morning arrival cutoff. I still enforce morning cut-off either way. I prefer to handle it because I prefer less adult interaction in the early mornings. ::

[Lovisa]

I allow parents to pick up kids at any time they need. I just ask them to avoid to do it during nap time if it is possible.
If it is not possible they should text me when they are outside.

I do this, exactly

[Blackcat31]

I am required to allow a parent access to their child any time they wish. My parents are all considerate of nap time however and rarely if ever schedule a pick up during nap.

Thank goodness because my state just implemented a new rule saying we can not include directives about not picking up during rest time in any of our handbooks/policies.

[Cat Herder]

Thank goodness because my state just implemented a new rule saying we can not include directives about not picking up during rest time in any of our handbooks/policies.

Ridiculous over reach. Sorry you have to deal with that.

[Blackcat31]

I also forgot to add that once a child is picked up for an appointment I do not allow them to return.

One pick up and one drop off per child per day.

[Blackcat31]

Ridiculous over reach. Sorry you have to deal with that.

The only saving grace is that they can't technically stop us from saying it (although we can't out it in print) and we can certainly terminate a family that is habitual about it.

But yes...total over reach! But then again, I am not surprised as I've been told repeated over the last year ANY time I complain about late payments (from agencies in regards to payment from QRIS grants) that I should try not to get upset when payment is late because "we are doing this FOR the children".

Translated: "We don't care if we send your payment out late. We don't care if parents don't put their children first because it is your job to make up for it and to sacrifice everything (including my own financial obligations) for other people's children."