I feel for you BlueRose! I've had a similar problem with a family now going on 3 years. I have a scheduled drop off time, in the respect I'd prefer the parents all to be here before programming begins, that way my attention isn't divided or I don't have to stop activities with the children due to arrivals. Here, programming starts as early as 8am and snack is supposed to be 8:30. BUT, I have had one family who is late almost every single day for 3 years. After countless times speaking with the Mom, emailing the mom, doing official letters, posting it in my blog, etc, I didn't know what to do. Every day the child would come in with a cereal bar, timbit, and/or her milk. I don't mind occasionally a child needing to finish breakfast at daycare but all parents know they need to bring enough to share with friends. Every morning, is a bit too much. The family arrives between 8:15 - 8:30 but as late as 9 (today it was 9:14) and I used to hold programming and snacks for them, but have learned that it is easier to go on with scheduling because their schedule isn't predictable. It's been rough, there has been times I've waiting and waited in my driveway to go on field trips, finally after waiting 15 mins for them, I've called to find out they aren't even coming.

Just for that family I developed a 15 minute rule. If you don't either let me know you will be arriving late and when to expect you or the child is not present 15 minutes before an activity such as snack or crafts that that child doesn't get snack (unless the parent brings it) and for the activities I can't guarantee there will be enough supplies for the child to participate. I prepare things in advance and it's a waste of time to get things out for a child that may or may not attend. I have in the past kept a serving for the late arrival but then it became a waste of food because the child was/still is eating breakfast on the way here, the only difference is now the mom takes the food away before they come in.

I do have another family that has arrived late almost every day for 2 years BUT like what has been said before circumstances are different. When the Mom knew that she was going to be dropping off late almost every day she came to me, we discussed a plan, and she has been consistently late by 15 - 20 minutes almost every day. If that changes she lets me know. I can work with that, because it still allows me to plan. If I have an event planned she ensures she arrives on time.

Due to me having 2 late arrivals snack has been pushed back to 9. But I agree that 8:30 seems like a better time for morning snack, because we have play group for 9, or music lessons start at 9, or when it is hot outside the best time to be outside is first thing in the morning, etc.

In situations like this we all have different comfort levels and we have to do what is best for our daycare.