Yes winter blues for sure! I am sick and tired of parents not bringing proper outdoor wear and it's always someone. More indoor days than necessary due to this fact

In my contract I have a window where drop off is flat out not allowed under any circumstances. Between 8:20 and 8:40. That gives me a final 10 minutes prior to my kids needing to leave and 10 minutes so parents are not dropping off right at the very second my kids are leaving for the bus. I can not give my kids the goodbye and attention I'd like and I can not give my attention to the child coming in.

As for this parent, you NEED to be direct. You have hinted and it is still going on. Just flat out tell her that there is no drop off between X and Y. Write it in your contract and give her written notice. By all means go into more detail face to face as to the whys but if you are "nice" about it, she isn't going to take you seriously which seems to be her attitude right now. She doesn't care at all about you, your family or your daycare as she seems oblivious to the hindrance she has become during the morning time.