School pick up

[kelleyg19]

So I'm in ontario and the weather this week is going to be -22 with windchill. I have to take one girl to school at 1230 which is about a 5 min walk to the school where we then go inside for about 5-10 min then walk 7 min home. After school I have to pick that girl up then walk about 8 min down to another school to get another girl where we then have to wait about 10 min then walk about 15 min back home. So my problem is that I have three toddlers (17 month 22 month and 2 years) that I have to take with me. Today the poor babies were frozen. They had snow suits and all winter clothing on plus a big fuzzy blanket to help keep them warm. So tomorrow with it calling for temps of -22 what should I do to help the toddlers keep warm?

[daycaremom9]

I used to pick up and drop off from school. We are lucky to not get extreme weather here but one winter we did and it was very unsafe to drive to the school with all the children so I created a policy that if I felt it was unsafe to drive the children, I just would not do it. After all, we're in the business of keeping children safe.

[Inspired by Reggio]

First thing I would be doing is making sure they have proper outdoor gear with coats, snowpants and boots and than ensure extra warm clothes for under their outdoor wear so a sweater if needed and warm pants verses 'tights' or something. Than good fitting hats, mittens, scarves to cover as much of the face as possible ~ this is what I require to be here daily all winter long.

Are they traveling in the stroller, wagon or walking?

If they are in the stroller I would bundle them with extra blankets around each of them and depending on the style I would put a cotton sheet that breathes over top of it and tie it in place to help block the wind for them!

If you are in a wagon you can do the same thing with blankets ~ my old wagon had a canopy which was awesome cause I would just roll it all the way down when it was windy ~ but if you do not have one you could make a make shift one with pool noodles or something and drape a 'cover' over the kids as a wind breaker?

I know when I have a non mobile child outside whose idle I will warm up my 'bean bag neck thingies' that is for my back when it is in pain and put that in the stroller with them for some added 'body heat' so to speak.

If they are walking well not too sure other than making sure they have warm clothes and mittens and scarves to cover as much of the face as possible?

[kelleyg19]

I use a wagon. All the kids have snow pants, cost, boats, double mitts, hat and neck warmer. I put their hoods on as well but they take the good off and just have their hat.
Thanks for the idea of making some kind of canopy. Ill see what I can find laying around the house tonight.
I HATE WINTER!!! (I am not a winter person at all, why can't summer be longer).

[sunnydays]

I'm having the same problem...-32 with the windchill is the forecast for the morning!! I plan to wrap blankets around them in addition to scarves and my plastic wind cover that I made from shower curtains. I am thinking of throwing the blankets in the dryer first to make them nice and warm :)

[playfelt]

Sometimes it is a case of just getting cold and then coming in and doing a proper warm up. The blankets in the dryer is a good idea for the coming in - toss some flannelette sheets in the dryer as soon as you come in. Get them undressed and change socks or shirts if they seem sweaty as those won't really dry out just make them cold. Then curl up on the couch with the warm blankets for a tv show or video - between the padding of the couch and the blankets and them all on the one couch it will transfer heat quickly to them. If you can get them to do some moving/jumping stuff while you are getting the blankets that will get the blood flowing back into the feet.

Consider putting an extra pair of wool socks on their feet in their boots even if you buy and keep them at daycare for going in the stroller. Then no matter what socks they wear you change them out for the warm ones and put their own back on when you get back - take the sweaty ones off (leave the socks in a pile near the register while you are gone so they are warm when you get back. Men's wollen work socks pulled over their hands and up their arms - will come almost to the shoulders on most help to keep mittens on and add an extra layer of warmth. Use headbands to hold the hoods on. Instead of covering our ears, put them around the top of the hood and aacaross their foreheads to protect that area and hold everything in place.

[kelleyg19]

So this mornng I contacted the two parents that require thier child to be picked up from school and told them due to the temp sitting at -24 today that I wouldn't be able to pick up thier kids from school today. The one family was happy anouybthis decision while te other family lost their s**t on me. I'm sorry but I can't control the weather and I'm not going to put three children under the age of 2 in risk of the cold weather.
Would you have done the same thing, or would you have still taken the three toddlers out in this cold?

[mimi]

We are as strong as our youngest child. I think you did the right thing kellleyg19. It's about safety. Toddlers in a wagon or stroller are not generating any body heat through motion. Perhaps this is something you can add to your policies.

[kelleyg19]

Thanks Mimi. I just don't understand why this dad is getting so worked up.
My sister said about adding it to the policies as well. This afternoon it will be added that if temp and weather is to cold or bad drop off and pick up will not be available.

[BlueRose]

So this mornng I contacted the two parents that require thier child to be picked up from school and told them due to the temp sitting at -24 today that I wouldn't be able to pick up thier kids from school today. The one family was happy anouybthis decision while te other family lost their s**t on me. I'm sorry but I can't control the weather and I'm not going to put three children under the age of 2 in risk of the cold weather.
Would you have done the same thing, or would you have still taken the three toddlers out in this cold?

If I was the parent of the school age child, I would fire you. I hired you to pick my child up and you are not doing your job.
If I were the parent of a younger child, I should have been told in the interview, that you would be dropping off/picking up school children. It would them be my responsibility to make sure I had my child dresses for these trips, also I be upset if you didn't take steps to make sure my child was as warm as possible during these trips. I would loose respect for you if I found out that you are not doing what you were hired to do, by dropping off/picking up the other child. I would make sure that I found a new provider before my child was ready for school, as you can are not reliable.

As a provider: I would make sure all my parents know about the drop offs/pick ups, have them dress their children accordingly and them add extra blankets to the stroller or wagon.

If the kids had older siblings and a stay at home parent, they might have to go along with the parent to do the drop offs and pick ups too. Not all parents have cars to keep there kids warm.

But this is all just my opinion.

[mimi]

In some jobs, changes need to be made for severe weather conditions. Outside workers do not work if temperatures fall/rise to certain degrees. School buses do not run if the roads are affected by weather and schools close or keep children in during recess due severe cold/heat. That is the nature of living with seasonal weather changes. If it is unsafe, especially for small children, then as adults we have to make changes to our schedule like drive our children to school if buses are not running etc. Parents need to respect the opinion of their providers as to the safety of all the children IMO

[BlueRose]

In some jobs, changes need to be made for severe weather conditions. Outside workers do not work if temperatures fall/rise to certain degrees. School buses do not run if the roads are affected by weather and schools close or keep children in during recess due severe cold/heat. That is the nature of living with seasonal weather changes. If it is unsafe, especially for small children, then as adults we have to make changes to our schedule like drive our children to school if buses are not running etc. IMO
very true, BUT you are also made aware of this before hand.
Next year my oldest will be going to school. I will be doing drop offs and pick ups for him and other children. If its too cold should I:

A: call the school and say " hay, its to cold to bring my youngest son and my daycare kids to pick up my oldest. can i just leave my son there until I am done work"

B: call all the parents of all the young children, have them pick up early so I can get my son. Then what do I do with my youngest?????

C: Let all parents know in advance that I will be doing school pick ups/drop off if the school is open, no matter of the weather, so please make sure your child is dressed accordingly. If you don't want your child going out in the bad weather, this is not the daycare for you.


My husband works at the other end of town and can't just leave work to pick up our son, not if he wants to keep his job.

Just wondering what you all think.

As a business woman I will honor my contract. if it states I will pick up/drop off, then I will. If it states that it depends on the weather, then it depends on the weather. I would NOT just change my contract out of the blue with out a proper notice to the parents. That is unprofessional in my opinion.

[kelleyg19]

Well said Mimi.
With three children under the age of 2 and with the local health unit issuing a cold wether alert I think I made the right decision in not doing drop off and pick up today. Even yesterday with the kids all bundled up and covered with blankets they were still cold for a good hour after getting back from school pick up. When doing pick up at the end of the day we are outside for 45 min. In temp of -24 it is too cold to take young children outside.
At the interview with the parent before taking her on, I asked if she would have back up if I wasn't able to get her daughter to school or if my son or I were sick. She responded that t wouldn't be a problem.
I can't control the weather. When it's raining we do school drop of and pick up if its snowing we do it. But in some cases like today I can't. I have to think about the other children in my care and how it would affect them.

[BlueRose]

At the interview with the parent before taking her on, I asked if she would have back up if I wasn't able to get her daughter to school or if my son or I were sick. She responded that t wouldn't be a problem.
I can't control the weather. When it's raining we do school drop of and pick up if its snowing we do it. But in some cases like today I can't. I have to think about the other children in my care and how it would affect them. since this is already in your contract, then yes you were in the right. the way i read your first post it didn't sound like the parents were aware that you would do this if the weather was bad. It sounded like you just sprung it on them out of the blue.


BlueRose, I like your name change btw As for what you would do with your son, I would either try to find someone else to bring him or keep him home for the one day since days THIS bad aren't every day. But that's just me. I don't have anyone who could pick up my son. I will not pay someone, to do something that I can do myself. As for keeping him home. What lesson does that teach the kids? I don't want my boys thinking its ok to miss work, just because its cold outside. If the school is open, my children will attend. I make sure that all parents are aware of this. If they don't like it, then this is not the daycare for them.

[BlueRose]

I think I should have added that I live right across the street form the school and we can stand just inside my building up until the bell rings then go across to get my son and the other kids. Sorry, I am not thinking straight right now, I have been listening to a child scream/cry since 7:30 this morning. All I want to do is scream myself. i think some of my frustration with this child has poured into these posts.

[mimi]

BlueRose no worries, we've all been where you are now. Sit and have a cup of tea and try and destress. Once I had a cryer who drove me insane. My hubby pulled in the driveway and I met him outside my eyes bulging with frustration. Hope your day gets better:glomp:

[Sandbox Sally]

I think I should have added that I live right across the street form the school and we can stand just inside my building up until the bell rings then go across to get my son and the other kids. Sorry, I am not thinking straight right now, I have been listening to a child scream/cry since 7:30 this morning. All I want to do is scream myself. i think some of my frustration with this child has poured into these posts.

:glomp: That is SO hard. I have a noob starting this week, and she cried all day yesterday. I thought I was going to lose my mind. Thankfully she's better today.

It frazzles the nerves, completely. Kudos to you for recognizing that your posts came off a little harsh. :)

[kelleyg19]

BlueRose I have been there! Lately for me it's my own son not getting along with a little boy that I started at the beginning if the month. Makes me want to pull my hair out.
I'm my polices it says that if I'm sick or my son is sick I will after 630am to inform the parents. When doing interviews I made clear that they require back up in case of emergencies (illness or death in the family). With this particular family I asked the mom if I can't get her daughter to school would she have back up, and she said yes because her husband has his own company and her mom is always available. I will be adding in a section of the polices about weather instead of just having verbal confirmation.
Hope everyone has a good afternoon!!

[sunnydays]

I think sometimes we have to do what is best for the entire group and if the cold poses a danger to the younger kids, we cannot risk their health for one child to go to school. In this case I would have cancelled as well and offered the parents to just bring the school aged child to the daycare for the day instead if drop-off and pick-up would be too difficult to arrange. I don't think this teaches a child any bad lesson. If they have to miss school due to extreme weather, all it teaches them is that they should not risk their lives or the safety of others for any reason. If there is freezing rain, etc. I do not take my son to school as it is not safe to take the little ones out. I think this teaches him that we have to care for each other and sometimes we have to sacrifice things we want to do because it is best for the group. I have been doing the school bus runs this week so far, but I just have to go two blocks, so we are out for about 10 minutes at a time. Tomorrow they are calling for -36 with wind chill in the morning...if that comes true, my son will stay home and we won't go out. At that point I believe it is dangerous for the little ones and it would be selfish of me to take them out just because I want MY son to go to school. Just my opinion.

[playfelt]

I think it all has to be put into perspective too. A child in kindergarten or even grade one is not going to miss so much teaching that they can't make it up the next day - no different than being sick at home for a day. Once the child is in grade 2 they are allowed to go to the bus stop alone in theory so on some really cold days it might come down to making a judgement call depending on how far to the stop or who else is waiting at the stop.

I would have cancelled too and probably offered the parents the option to bring the child to my house for the day and charged only an extra $5 for lunch or let child bring and eat whatever mom had already packed. As in it isn't the parent's fault the child needs to be in care all day - it is mine for not being willing to go get him.

[Inspired by Reggio]

.... Would you have done the same thing, or would you have still taken the three toddlers out in this cold?

Your business your rules hon ~ i see nothing wrong with having a policy of 'Adult escorted school drop offs and pick ups are available when it is SAFE for the provider to do so ~ however please note that parents of school age children must have a back up plan in place to transport for times when it is deemed by the PROVIDER to be an unsafe (list some examples that are deal breakers).

Personally I feel so strongly about having CHOICE in my program of when and how things unfold with our routine that I chose not to even offer the school age service because of issues like this ~ I do not want to be forced outside in inclement weather or dealing with upset parents because their failed to PLAN for back up care as instructed!

Fortunately I do not HAVE to take my own children to school so there is no reason for me to have to go out on a day like today unless I CHOOSE to .... and yes I have some control issues about being told what to do by a third party which is why in an working scenerio I prefer to either be the boss or be my own boss ;)