Oh I hear ya!! I have had children just like that! It amazes me how parents let their children behave. The children are never like that with me and they know the second their parent walks in the door they begin to act up. My contract says that while parents are in my home they are in charge of disciplining. I have begun to speak up more now. The one thing I can't stand is when the kids run away from their parents and the parents chase them. Luckily my group right now is pretty good other than the 2 little ones kicking and screaming while the parents put their stuff on them.

I see nothing wrong with having the kids dressed and ready. Unfortunately for me all parents come at different times. Our routine here is cleanup from 4-4:30 (some get picked up during this time) then TV until 5. I always shut the tv off as soon as the last parent arrives and start shutting out lights.