Dcp entering my home

[Mommy]

Bahahaha oh my trace of angels. You poor thing. No fruit loop I don't get paid extra for the day she's not suppose to be here and she comes. I just see it as a bonus when she doesn't cause she's already paying for a full time spot. Cfred I understand where your coming from. My husband is very much on the private home side and I agree that I don't want people walking through my home. My focus is the kids not the parents so when one comes in and walks whoever they feel like not talking to me just walking around I get kind of irritated. Playfelt I thought of a baby gate at the door too actually. Did the parents ask why you have it there ? I have a feeling she would just move it or climb over anyways. Ugh.

[playfelt]

I have a small entranceway where we have a cupboard for cubbies and a bench/hooks for the kids coats. I have a seasonal display and calendar and stuff on the wall and we use the back of the door (metal so use magnets to clip receipts, notes. etc.) The gate separates that area from the rest of the house. The gate was there when they came for interviews and was closed behind them after they entered the house. It stops the kids from getting to the door and babies from crawling where there is dirt, snow, salt from outside etc.

I open it to answer the door and only the child whose parent is there is allowed out - I stand in the doorway and turn anyone else away saying it isn't their turn yet. Everyone always comes to see who it is so parents get to see the other kids and will talk to them too or comment on something like oh nice to see Z walking. It is very much a family daycare at my house.

[Mommy]

See I like that idea. My house is open and there is no hall dividing my porch from the living room. All the kids run and are practically stepping on the parents. I'm going to put a long gate across. Hopefully she gets the hint and my little ones won't get stepped on.

[Crayola kiddies]

That was going to be my suggestion .... A gate ..... I have a larger entranceway and I found a gate with a swinging door that fits larger openings and it generally keeps the parents out however my daycare space is separate and in my basement ... Parents enter thru the garage and so no one is ever in my personal space. ..... As for the pick ups and drop offs I would not open my door before I open. I have a light in my stairway and my families are told if the light is not on I am not open yet. I would tell her flat out that I don't open till 7 so please don't ring the bell/knock before that time and post a note on your door saying that your late fee policy is changing and there is no longer a 15 minute grace period and late fees will be charged starting at 5:01 at $1/ min for the first 10 mins and $2/min after the first 10 mins and the late fee is required at pickup in cash no exceptions......This woman has some nerve showing up outside of your operating hours. I think she is disrespectful and I would be advertising to replace her ASAP.

[Judy Trickett]

Oh I do. I've done that but her daughter is potty training and pees or poops through right as her mother shows up so she just walks right in.

She does it because you are allowing her to do it. Just tell her to stop it. Have a diaper and wipes at the front door. If her kid poops she can change them right there.

Why is your door not locked?

[mimi]

Part of the security system I have in my home is that the doors and windows (bedroom) will chime when opened. This way I am never surprised by a parents sudden appearance and I will call out "we are coming" to let them know to stay put. I always have my door locked except for pick ups, as my hubby is home.

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

In response to your original comment about how the daycare child soils herself at pick-up time - maybe you get him/her completely ready to go, (dressed, coat and boots on, backpack loaded) and wearing a pull up- just so that you can hand him/her off without the added delay of a change ? It sounds like you're already putting in a long day - the pull up shouldn't undo any potty training progress that they've made so long as Mum or Dad takes it off right away when they get home.

[bright sparks]

Mommy, It sounds like you have some issues with this family and really the only way to stop this from happening is to take control of the situation. Did this family sign a contract? If so, then you need to tell this mother the very next time you see her that her hours are 7-4 and that she can not show up early or late. If she is only till 4 how is it that she thinks that she will only start to be charged for late pick up at 5:15? Sounds like I'm missing some info there. If you would prefer her not to wander around the house then tell her! She probably doesn't think shes doing anything wrong. Our opinions and values aren't always the same and unless you say something to her then she won't stop and you will continue to be irritated by this woman. Regardless of whether other providers do or don't mind parents wandering through the house, you don't like it, so don't stand for it anymore. Politely remind her that this is not only a home daycare but is your private home and you would prefer it if at drop off and pick up she stayed at the front door/hallway area and as Judy said keep diapers and wipes at the front door. You are allowing her to do these things so you are the only one who can stop it. Open door doesn't work for me at all. If a parent wants to call in during the day they are quite welcome to call ahead to ask so I can make a decision based on our activities on that day as to whether it will be disruptive or not. I actually have it in my contract that the door will always be locked and they should not ever try to enter my house unannounced or without permission. Yes this is a daycare but it is also my home and is not a shop open to all members of the public.

[sunnydays]

Hearing now that the parent is early to drop-off and late to pick-up...no, I would not be okay with her coming in to chat either! In fact, I would not be okay with any of it. I would be giving her a warning of termination if she does not abide by my hours. This is totally disrespectful! I have my system where I let the parents in through the garage when they ring, so they can come into my daycare area and I don't mind if they chat for a bit. However, the last kid to be picked up is different. For him, I take him up and walk with he and his parents to the door and see them out quickly. We can have a quick chat while they put his boots and coat on, but definitely no coming in to hang out! And if they were late, I'd have him by the door with coat on and it would be a quick hand-over of kid. Furthermore, I understand that your rule is that late fees don't apply until 15 minutes before or after hours? Why not change your rule to charging $1 per minute after closing time and for before opening time, just don't open your door. You may be surprised that they can actually make it there on time after all You are allowing the parent to decide on your hours....not fair.

[Mommy]

My door is locked at all times. I would unlock for certain parents that show up at the same time everyday I would unlock it five minutes before. She walks in when I run to grab her daughters soother she seems to misplace right before her mom gets there. Or one of the other dcg grabs it. Then her mom run in Judy.