Daycare Will Not Allow Early Pick Up - California

[Silly Songs]

That is a huge red flag !! Please know in the future that NOBODY can keep you from your child. A private school, a daycare center, a public school, a sitter etc ALL have to release child to you. I don't know about hospitals, if a child is ill, but that's a different topic. How old did you say your child is ? Is he/ she old enough to tell you what is going on ? That caregiver is lying to you and that is horrible. You are the parent. Honestly I would just text her one day and say " I'm picking up Jr. In half hour" around 4 pm or so. See how she responds. I'm so curious about this. Can you tell us what state you are in ? Also please sign in and become a member. Folks here can give you great advice on what to really look for in a daycare . We all want your child to be safe !!

[Unregistered]

Thank you everyone. I have spent the weekend looking up other options and have a list to call tomorrow. I would just like to have another daycare sorted before make a complaint. I'm in California but originally from Ireland so have no family support to help out .
I will keep you updated. Need this coming week to try and get a place.

Thanks again. I thought I may have been a paranoid mother so glad other daycare providers have confirmed my suspicions.

I will keep you updated.

[spedmommy4]

So this evening my husband picked baby up and gave a week's notice that we would be picking him up at 1pm next Friday as its a long weekend and we were finished work early.( we rarely do this ) She said that we would be in trouble with the government so my husband said we had checked with the state and there is no issue. She was a bit taken aback and said that we would talk next week. Seriously we are giving a week's notice? Anyway I have started looking at alternatives. It is hard to get an infant space in my area so i will stick with her until I get something else. Thank you all for your comments. It is much appreciated.

I'm a provider in California. We actually have the most vague regulations I've ever seen. However, California is VERY clear on a parents rights. As a parent, you have the right to pick up your child at any time. You are also allowed to come and inspect the childcare facility when your child is there, with notice, during regular business hours. I am attaching a picture of the regulation for you. As a mom, if a provider told me I couldn't pick up my child early, I would be wondering what's going on.

[lovemydaycare0912]

Please do a walk in visit at a time way earlier than 5:30. I understand you want something lined up before you leave but God forbid something happens to your baby or one of the other kids. It does not seem right that she doesn't allow early pick ups. I loveeeee early pick ups. Friday I had about 3. One as early as 9:30a.m. Something is off. Please keep us updated. Wish you the best.

[laundrymom]

Please listen to the wealth of advice given and pop in very unannounced. Very sporadic. All week.
Personally, there's no way, come Hexx or high water, someone would TELL me I couldn't come get my child.

I do ask nap to be respected but they may come at any time.

Something is up. And I have a feeling it's super uncool.

[Unregistered]

Yes I have listened to you all and appreciate it believe me! I had a sleepless weekend.... I plan to do a walk in this week. She had an unannounced inspection about a month ago by the state and that went fine. She showed me the paper work on the day and I did follow up and check it out online.
I also talked to one of the others moms outside this morning and she has her 2nd child there. She said these rules only came in in the last few months and with her first child she could pick up anytime

So I talked to the lady this morning and she admitted that it is her preference we do not pick up early as it disrupts her day. She only looks after infants so she has a routine and she said if every one picked up at any time that suits it unsettles the other infants and one of the mothers did this all the time. So I said I respect that and it's not like I am asking for an early pick up unscheduled all the time and I would never pick up during nap times. So at the end of the day she said I can do an early pick up but due to schedules she prefers if we didn't but she cannot stop us.


So I felt a little better after that conversation. I still intend to move him and do unscheduled drop in. Again thank you all. I will join as a member and keep you updated

[Blackcat31]

Yes I have listened to you all and appreciate it believe me! I had a sleepless weekend.... I plan to do a walk in this week. She had an unannounced inspection about a month ago by the state and that went fine. She showed me the paper work on the day and I did follow up and check it out online.
I also talked to one of the others moms outside this morning and she has her 2nd child there. She said these rules only came in in the last few months and with her first child she could pick up anytime

So I talked to the lady this morning and she admitted that it is her preference we do not pick up early as it disrupts her day. She only looks after infants so she has a routine and she said if every one picked up at any time that suits it unsettles the other infants and one of the mothers did this all the time. So I said I respect that and it's not like I am asking for an early pick up unscheduled all the time and I would never pick up during nap times. So at the end of the day she said I can do an early pick up but due to schedules she prefers if we didn't but she cannot stop us.


So I felt a little better after that conversation. I still intend to move him and do unscheduled drop in. Again thank you all. I will join as a member and keep you updated

I still don't understand the lying though.
Why not just be truthful about the whole thing?

I don't know....I'm glad she "fessed" up but the need to lie in the first place would upset me. It would make me feel as though she didn't trust YOU to be responsible or respectful without giving you a chance.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I agree with Blackcat.

I have a varied group with 3 infants. Honestly, pick ups are never an issue with the infants. I like to have a general idea so they can be "ready" -fed a bottle, not ready to have a bottle, check their bottoms one more time etc. But, if a mom shows up- I will say last bottle was________, let me make sure they are dry and ready to go in the carseat. And if I have just made them a bottle- I will hand it to parent and say well you better have a seat and feed them this or you will have a long drive home!
Parents see my house as it really is... chaos some days. It is ok. Infants are not disturbed by pick ups... the older ones sometimes get wound up.. that is life.

time frame is just that. Today baby and 2 yo will be picked up between 3:30 and 4:15. Baby last ate 11:30 so he should be ready to eat in a bit so he will be fine for that pick up time. Snack for 2yo is at 3:00 so she will be good to go. I will be sure she pees after snack My knowing they are coming is more for the parent's convience than mine.

It is still strange to me.

[Thriftylady]

I agree with BC. I would be inclined to pull today and never go back. I know that can cause an issue with jobs, but she LIED and threatened you with trouble from the government. Now when you come to her armed with information that nobody in government says that, but legally she CAN'T do that, she backtracks. I would feel unsafe leaving an infant there a day longer. An older child can at least tell you if something is going on, but an infant can't. She could be in there making adult videos for all you know! Granted, that probably isn't happening, but the fact is she has made you wonder.

[Mike]

She could be in there making adult videos for all you know! Granted, that probably isn't happening, but the fact is she has made you wonder.

That, and similar possibilities is what I would be afraid of if I were in your situation.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I think it is very suspect. Only you know her and know how you feel about it, but it would make me very nervous as to why she doesn't want you to pick up early. I did infant only care for awhile and there was no issue with parents picking up early (toddlers can sometimes be a little more disagreeable ), so I don't think it would inconvenience her too much. My infants were on staggered schedules, so as long as you are not yelling and waking up the babies who are sleeping, it would be great to have one less baby around and to have a parent WANT to spend time with their kid.

I think she is over ratio for babies. (just my opinion) Most states restrict the number of infants to 4 or less, so my guess is she has more than that and staggers the pick up times to coordinate with napping and other babies getting picked up so none of the parents realize she has more babies than she is suppose to. Obviously, I don't know her and have no real idea, but it just doesn't make sense.

[Unregistered]

Update: I called a couple of daycares I had spoken to when I first was looking and really liked but they had no space at the time. As luck would have it one of them who is a mile from my house has an opening. I am allowed pick up , stop in and visit any time.I told her about my current situation and she gave me all the advice and vibes you guys did. My husband, Baby and I met her yesterday and not only is she close to my house but she looks after a girl from my companies son. I called the mom as a reference and she had nothing but good things to say.
So although I have to give current one 4 weeks notice I am just paying her the 4 weeks and taking him out today. Good riddance .
I will also be making that call to the state.

Thank you all. This is website is a great resource


I cannot thank you enough

[Rockgirl]

Good call! Glad you found a new daycare you feel comfortable with.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Update: I called a couple of daycares I had spoken to when I first was looking and really liked but they had no space at the time. As luck would have it one of them who is a mile from my house has an opening. I am allowed pick up , stop in and visit any time.I told her about my current situation and she gave me all the advice and vibes you guys did. My husband, Baby and I met her yesterday and not only is she close to my house but she looks after a girl from my companies son. I called the mom as a reference and she had nothing but good things to say.
So although I have to give current one 4 weeks notice I am just paying her the 4 weeks and taking him out today. Good riddance .
I will also be making that call to the state.

Thank you all. This is website is a great resource


I cannot thank you enough

Glad you found a place! Please call licensing!!! Thanks for the update.

[Mike]

Update: I called a couple of daycares I had spoken to when I first was looking and really liked but they had no space at the time. As luck would have it one of them who is a mile from my house has an opening. I am allowed pick up , stop in and visit any time.I told her about my current situation and she gave me all the advice and vibes you guys did. My husband, Baby and I met her yesterday and not only is she close to my house but she looks after a girl from my companies son. I called the mom as a reference and she had nothing but good things to say.
So although I have to give current one 4 weeks notice I am just paying her the 4 weeks and taking him out today. Good riddance .
I will also be making that call to the state.

Thank you all. This is website is a great resource


I cannot thank you enough

Glad you found a place and are not waiting to get him out, and you're welcome from all of us for the help. That's what we get together for.