Parent Dropping Off Right At Bus Run Time

[Daycare Momma]

I've been a provider for over a decade and have been advertising on Daycare Bear for several of those years but this is my first time posting.

I have a parent who continuously drops child off just as we are getting ready to go out for the bus run in the morning. We discussed months ago about her dropping off 15 minutes prior or else right after bus run as it is difficult for transition and the front hall (very small) is crowded and it's just too hectic. But she has been coming closer and closer to bus time over the last few weeks.

I emailed her about this during nap time as a reminder of what we had discussed and she never replied even though she normally replies to my emails. So at pick up time I asked if she got my email to which she said she didn't. So I told her what it was about and she just said "oh" and then did not speak the rest of the time she was dressing the child and once he was dressed she turned and walked out without a word. Very awkward.

Am I being too picky about this? Even if I am I would appreciate her acting like an adult and discussing her feelings or opinions about it instead of the way she handled it which I feel was immature and disrespectful.

Any thoughts? Anyone else deal with something similar?

[BlueRose]

I do school runs. If I am already outside they have to sit in their car and wait for me to get back. I will not carry their bag or waste time getting them into the stroller/wagon. Parents need to drop off 20 min before I need to leave.

[Lee-Bee]

I don't think you are being too picky. You have given a legitimate reason for why you need drop off to be within certain time periods. They are ignoring your stated expectations.

Do you know why they are doing this? Is it because they just don't care and feel you work for them. Or, is it that they need to drop off at that time and are just not managing to pull their act together to be early? How are they about other things (being on time, payments and such). Are they generally respectful and great clients? If so then I would try and work something out.

If they are disrespectful in other ways then put it in writing, have them sign and note that their refusal to follow these signed expectations will result in termination. I would expect if you do this they may walk...so be ready for that.

[Daycare Momma]

I don't think you are being too picky. You have given a legitimate reason for why you need drop off to be within certain time periods. They are ignoring your stated expectations.

Do you know why they are doing this? Is it because they just don't care and feel you work for them. Or, is it that they need to drop off at that time and are just not managing to pull their act together to be early? How are they about other things (being on time, payments and such). Are they generally respectful and great clients? If so then I would try and work something out.

If they are disrespectful in other ways then put it in writing, have them sign and note that their refusal to follow these signed expectations will result in termination. I would expect if you do this they may walk...so be ready for that.

She's always on time with payments and has always been respectful. This actually really surprised me. I suspect she's just having trouble getting out the door sooner but we're talking 10/15 minutes sooner is all she needs.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Crayola kiddies]

Why don't you try getting ready 5 mins early that way you are already outside when she gets there

[5 Little Monkeys]

My entrance is small too so I understand that but I think I'd prefer drop off at this time vs 15 mins prior. The child is already dressed and ready to go I assume? One less kid for you to get ready! :)

Mom can send child in, hang up backup if needed, say bye and than you and the group are ready to head out!

[Lee-Bee]

She's always on time with payments and has always been respectful. This actually really surprised me. I suspect she's just having trouble getting out the door sooner but we're talking 10/15 minutes sooner is all she needs.

Thanks for the feedback.


So, it sounds like they really just struggle with leaving that little bit early. 10-15min doesn't sound like much but when you consider all that a family needs to accomplish early in the morning it is understandable. Since they are respectful and a good family then maybe see how you can accommodate while they try and get things together on their end.

Is the child fully dressed when they come (in snow suit)? If so, try having mom drop the child with you (where ever you are in the bus process) and mom brings the bag in to the house (or hangs it on your door knob). If the child isn't fully ready them mom will need to do that before coming as you can't stop mid-process to dress another child.

I would communicate with mom as to how you will do your best to help her, but that ultimately you need her to try and shift their drop off as well for the benefit of all. If they are a good family I wouldn't want to ruin a good relationship over a few minutes of time (within your regular open hours). You never know what the next family could be like should this family choose to find a daycare that allows them to come as they please!!!

[Daycare Momma]

Why don't you try getting ready 5 mins early that way you are already outside when she gets there

I would do that but for one thing it's way too cold out lately and secondly she never comes with him ready for outdoors ie: in snowpants. So we have to take off his boots and coat to put on his snowpants etc... But this morning she came almost 30 minutes before the bus run and she seemed back to herself.

[5 Little Monkeys]

If she slips back into the later time, I'd just ask he comes dressed in full gear

[Daycare Momma]

If she seems to struggle with the time again I will suggest she bring him fully dressed for outdoors. Some parents don't seem to like this as they have to continually adjust their car seat straps since for most other times in the car the child doesn't need snowpants when they're just going from house to car and then car to house or other warm building. We'll see how it goes.

[mickyc]

Glad your reminder to her helped with her drop off time. I agree if she is going to drop off at the time you do bus run the child needs to be ready to go.

[Lee-Bee]

If she seems to struggle with the time again I will suggest she bring him fully dressed for outdoors. Some parents don't seem to like this as they have to continually adjust their car seat straps since for most other times in the car the child doesn't need snowpants when they're just going from house to car and then car to house or other warm building. We'll see how it goes.

Point out that a few tugs of a car seat harness adjuster is a lot easier than you having to undress and redress a child. :-)

[MommaL]

I certainly don't want to turn this thread into a debate about car safety. But it's actually unsafe to have a small child in a car seat while wearing a big winter coat and snow pants. So this may be a reason why the mom doesn't want to have her child all bundled up for the car ride over. Hopefully she continues to come earlier like she did today.

[Busy ECE mommy]

I have a rule that if they arrive within the 15 mins before we leave for the school run, they have to dress their child themselves in the winter gear. My own kids have been late for school many times due to unprepared parents. In the winter it takes longer for the school walk, so I have them in my garage and strapped into the stroller earlier with the front door locked, so if a parent arrives, they have to get ready fast, or we leave. No discussion. Once they get left behind once, they learn their lesson. The parent must dress the child, and be ready to go. You can't have the kids miss the bus!

[Lee-Bee]

I certainly don't want to turn this thread into a debate about car safety. But it's actually unsafe to have a small child in a car seat while wearing a big winter coat and snow pants. So this may be a reason why the mom doesn't want to have her child all bundled up for the car ride over. Hopefully she continues to come earlier like she did today.

I remove coats and leave snow pants on. They tend to not be bulky enough to interfere with straps. If the kids don't have snow pants on they just wear a fleece sweater under coat and remove coats when we get in and pop them back on when we get out. I also have the kids remove their boots when they get in. Takes a few extra minutes but keeps the car clean and the kids safe. I can't imagine being in a full snow suit in a heated car. I personally unzip my own coat so it is out of the way of my seat belt...and I still find it warm!

[Crayola kiddies]

Well as far as I'm concerned this parent knows the provider does a bus run so be there on time with the kid ready to go or wait till the provider comes back .... It will only take one or two times of a parent being inconvenienced for them to get it together but until it interferes with their schedule nothing will change