Parents picking up children late?

[Jasp]

How do you handle parents not picking up their kids on time?

[Play and Learn]

Haven't had a problem as of yet. But I would remind them of what is stated in the manual (and have it close by). If it's after my grace period, I will politely tell them that on their next cheque, they will have to add so many dollars.

Hopefully that helps.

[Jasp]

I actually suggested that but the parent took it very offensively!

[Play and Learn]

Then you have to state that you are indeed a business. They wouldn't waste their lawyers/doctors time, would they?

I own two busineses, and I make sure that my parents understand that they have to be on time, as I do run the other business in the evenings.

Tell the parents that they are intruding into family time (and we wouldn't want that), and not being on time puts pressure on your family. Try to explain while being as positive as possible (very hard to do, I know!).

As stated in my manual:
"I will provide parents with a five minute grace period, then $1/minute according to my clock (which is programmed to the Ottawa Weather Network).
If there is bad weather while you are driving, please call me to inform me that you are running late; therefore you will only be charged an extra $5, and after 20 minutes, and then it will become $1/minute after the 20 minutes."

[Jasp]

Thanks that helps! I will send you a private message...in need of some advice!

[Gails]

Parent(s) consistantly pick up after agreed pick up time, anywhere up to one hour late; but seem to be consistantly late in the morning agreed 7.30/8.30; arrives 11.30 to 12.30; it is driving me nuts, the poor child is so confused and sometimes arrives after our lunch time, sometimes right at quiet time!!! He doesn't understand why he needs to do something quietly at arrival when he is used to going outside, creating conflict between him and I. I assume he is sleeping in so isn't hungry until it is time to go to the park... not serving lunch again; more conflict? Parents feel because he is late it is okay to pick up late... too tired of parents. What do you think? thanks

[Spixie33]

Parent(s) consistantly pick up after agreed pick up time, anywhere up to one hour late; but seem to be consistantly late in the morning agreed 7.30/8.30; arrives 11.30 to 12.30; it is driving me nuts, the poor child is so confused and sometimes arrives after our lunch time, sometimes right at quiet time!!! He doesn't understand why he needs to do something quietly at arrival when he is used to going outside, creating conflict between him and I. I assume he is sleeping in so isn't hungry until it is time to go to the park... not serving lunch again; more conflict? Parents feel because he is late it is okay to pick up late... too tired of parents. What do you think? thanks

Wow
when you say they pick up late - do you mean beyond your open hours or is it beyond their agree-upon time but still within your open hours?
I have a parent who generally picks up around 4. Sometimes the mom picks up at 3 though so when she occassionally comes at 4:30 it sort of evens out for me and I don't mind because I am open until 5:00 and have other kids here until 5 anyways.
However if they came to pick up beyod 5 I would be mighty miffed.

I think what I would do (and this is just me) is tell her that kids can tell time. They ca't look at the clock and say it is 9:15 but kids tell time by routines. They can time that they wake up have breakfast, that they get a snack, that they go outside, then lunch, then nap then snack, etc. The kids sort of know what comes 'next' and they can tell at pick up that first Sammy goes home an dthat means that next Molly and then it is my turn.
Kids cannot tell the time on the clock but they use 'markers' throughout the day and that is why routines are so important to them. I can ask the kids in my daycare...what comes next and they will say that it is snack time or nap time or whatever. They know.
So I would tell the parents that without a regular schedule/routine-- it seems to confuse their child's day. Just tell them that the child seems confused and has a hard time get acclimated each day and figurig out at which 'marker' point they are arriving because it varies too much day by day. Ask them if they think that you could nail down a more exact schedule because you think it could make the child's day much smoother

[mamaof4]

I am sorry that some parents are abusing your business. When I was going to be late- I always called-as soon as I knew I was going to be late.

[vrvasile]

Every time a forget to pick my child for school my best friend goes and tak him.

[Tot-Time]

I don't have many problems with parents picking up late and rarely ever have to charge a late fee. My families have a few different options:

a) no notice and pay $1 per minute after pick up time with a min charge of $10
b) notify me shortly before pick up time and pay $10 per hour
c) let me know asap and my oldest daughter will take over childcare and the charge is $5 per 30 min.

If the road conditions are bad then I do give my families a 15 min grace period just because many of my families have to travel at least 15 - 20 min to get here from work. In poor weather that time can increase to 1 hour.