And this is why dear dcp you need to call/text....

[Other Mummy]

...before surprise early pick up..

Had a dcm who for the past 2 days has come unexpectedly earlier than normal. Yesterday due to the pending storm, she came at 4:00 instead of her usual 5:45/6:00 pick up. Left work early I guess. Great. Yay for me. Her kids were driving me koo-koo-ka-chew
I mentioned to her to call next time so that I can have them ready. Well...this is the same dcm who never takes my advice, never reads her newsletters. The same one who signed a contract and never read it. Anyway....

Today, at 3:40 who rings the daycare bell. Yup. Said dcm. I greeted her warmly. The kids just finished their PM snack. Her 2 yr old was still napping as she didn't go down til 1:45. I told dcm this. Her son was happy to see her (usually I can't tear him away and literally place him in her arms kicking and screaming). Went to get dcg up from her nap. She was happy when she saw me wake her up. But as soon as she saw dcm she freaked! Her whole afternoon schedule went out the window. She was probably looking forward to snack and afternoon playtime routine.

Told mum again, "next time call...not for me..but for you, so I can have them ready"...she's like "I know but my folks are in the car waiting for us" Okay?? You could not call/text even 5 min before coming So I place dcg on steps next to her brother to get ready. She smacked her mum twice. Hard. Across the face. dcm had to go and get her mum (grandma) out of the car to help assist.

Usually I will help her get them ready to leave as they are my last kids out the door. Usually. Today I had 3 other dcc to attend to plus my own 2 little ones. She was on her own with a screeching 2 year old who did not want to leave. Yikes.

I think next time she will call/text before coming early.

[mimi]

I would definitely tell her that she must call/text as coming unexpectedly throughs everyoneoff their routine which you have worked hard to establish and the kids expect it. Prime example, her daughter's reaction.
If she shows up early again without notification, I wouldn't answer the door. Often if the doorbell rings and/or the phone I don't answer if I'm busy with the children. To me it sends a message to the kids doorbel/phone is more important.

[Mamma_Mia]

Also it messes with the other children who see parents arrive and may act out looking for where their parents are!

I too do not allow it. I had one dad who would text me but literally 2min before. I said to him "I don't have my phone on me all day, I am caring for the children. Please give me at least 15min to finish up our schedule and get your dd ready." So he got the hint and would text 20min before :P

[kidlove]

Oh These Ones get me!!!!! I have learned a lot over the years about dif personalities, (and how they affect me) This type of parent drives me up the wall. They are VERY self centered and think of no one but them selves and their needs/wants. They don't realize that by coming early they are shaking up your day and the day of ALL the children in your care. (too bad they can't stick around to see the after math it sometimes causes) I am glad to hear her daughter gave her a hard time, that's great! hee hee hee! hate to be that way but it makes your point so much more clear, now you can comment back on it by reiterating that "you DO require notice of early pick up in order to keep EVERYONES day running as smoothly as it was before the parent SO RUDELY interupted". Some people just really get me. These are the little issues I have that I try to take up with "non day care providers" and they just don't get it! I get you loud and clear.............bo ils down to R-E-S-P-E-C-T. some people just don't have it!

[Lou]

These are the type of people who consider us "just the sitter" and believe we are their employees!

[Lou]

Glad she got to experience first hand WHY it's important to give the kids notice,lol!!!