Dressed in the Best!

[mom-in-alberta]

I totally would have let her crawl/run around and get filthy. Mom probably wasn't even thinking, except about how cute and sweet little sunshine looks in the outfit. Yup, I would have kept her in it. Although, it sounds like you changed her so she was comfortable, not just because you were worried about the dress.
I don't have it in my contract, but I do warn parents that I make no promises that the shiny and squeaky clean kid they drop off in the morning will be coming home that way! In my experience, a dirty kid is usually a happy one, if that makes sense. :P

[mumstheword]

UGH, drives me crazy when the parents say, oh if you are going to do anything messy today or eating anything that will stain, could you please change her clothes. Hello, we do messy stuff EVERYDAY! I tell parents in the interview that the kids get dirty and I think that a clean kid is a bored kid, lol. I will not change them, send them in play clothes for crying out loud. One exception is, if we are having a special day, photo day, princess day, halloween etc. then I will change them.
I also tell parents if they are going anywhere straight from daycare and need a clean presentable child, to please let me know ahead of time and I will gladly have them .washed and changed for pick up.
I let my kids wear fancy stuff to school if they want and tell the Teacher straight out, please don`t worry about stains and messes, if they are wearing it to school I fully expect them to get dirty.