I am just wondering how strict you ladies are with drop-off and pick-up times. I have never had any parent drop off early or pick up late on a regular basis (have had the occasional snow storm type of slightly late pick-up, but never anything to be concerned about as it was not habitual). I have actually never had anyone show up early. I open at 7:30 and my newest dc family has been showing up 3-5 minutes early on a regular basis. Once the dad showed up 10 minutes early and I did not answer the bell...but he rang again and I let him in and told him it was too early and I wasn't ready. Now the mom is dropping at 7:25 or so. The dad is ALWAYS 5-10 minutes late. I know there is construction and traffic is bad...she has asked if she can drop at 7:15 and much as I feel for her situation, I just can't go down this road of extending my hours on either end, so I said no. Today I tried not answering on the first ring, but she ran again 2 minutes later. Am I being nit-picky to be annoyed with this? If it were just that her clock is set different than mine, then she should also be picking up 5 minutes early, but she does not. Do any of you allow a 5 minute grace period or are you firm about your open and close times to the minute?