How would you respond??

[Wonderwiper]

In my old house I had a policy that I met parents atnthe door to receive/ return children....ie parents never came in past my entry way. With my new basement set up, how would you suggest imhandle pick ups? Does anyone leave all the children alone downstairs to run to the door? I was thinking of having everyone read books in our front room upstairs right before pickups start so we are close to the door.

[Dreamalittledream]

In my old house I had a policy that I met parents atnthe door to receive/ return children....ie parents never came in past my entry way. With my new basement set up, how would you suggest imhandle pick ups? Does anyone leave all the children alone downstairs to run to the door? I was thinking of having everyone read books in our front room upstairs right before pickups start so we are close to the door.

I too have a basement playroom (it is set up to prep food etc. with fridge etc.). The children don't have access to the rest of my house except as a pass through for arrival/outdoor play/departure. In the morning I greet the first parent at the door, the rest have to bring their children down to the playroom. At home time, parents know that I keep the door locked until 3pm, after which pick-ups take place by parents walking on in and retrieving their children from our basement playroom.
At no time do I leave my little ones alone in the playroom (I have to chuckle that even my own body has trained itself not to have to go to the bathroom until nap time!). I have about a 45 min to an hour+ window during which pick ups occur (first usually around 3:15, latest @ 4:30)...can't imagine trying to keep them all entertained by the door for that long. Parents often like to hold back just out of sight of them and watch their child happily playing/doing activities in the playroom.