Pickup policies

[MommaL]

I understand about appointments that are out of the parent's control, but it is still too disruptive to have the child popping in and out. Every time I've allowed it in the past (I've been a HDP for almost 26 years) it's been a disaster. If the appointment was for 11:00 I would take the child at their regular drop-off time, but once the parent picked up for the appointment they wouldn't be coming back. I would have already had to alter our morning to be home (we are out in good weather until 11:30ish), and we most likely would have already finished lunch before the child would be back. Being dropped off a second time can be confusing and upsetting for the child, and then naptime is affected as well. In group care, the needs of the group trump the needs of an individual child.

I just had a similar situation on Monday- the child had a doctor's appointment at 10:00. The mom kept her home for the morning, and brought her to me afterwards. She texted me after the appointment to see where we were, and met us at the park. I've been handling odd drop off and pick up times this way for a very long time, and none of my families have had an issue with it.

I certainly wouldn't want to argue with someone who has that much experience. Of course, it would depend on one's daycare as well and how structured it is and what you all do during the day. However, I have to admit that I'm surprised that it wouldn't be more difficult for most parents who have morning appointments not to be able to bring their child back. That would mean a parent having to take more than a half day off from work (possibly 6 hours) for what might be a 30 minute appointment.