[Nahomi]

Explain that 20 minutes may not seem long to the parent, but it affects the child who is the last to be picked up and the extra staff that need to stay at the facility. Urgent matters may come up, but being respectful of the school’s regulations and staff’s time is common courtesy and isn’t acceptable for this to be occurring so often. If it continues to be a pattern, matters may have to be taken more seriously.

[Liana]

Letting the mother know the severity of the 20 minutes and what effects it may have. Is the schedule not working out? Or is something going on to prevent her from coming on time. A child loves to see there parent at the end of the day and waiting even longer is a lot of time for a young child. I would talk with the mom and see what we can conclude to.

[Katie]

I agree! Frequently being late has an impact on the child. They can definitely sense if something is off and even if their pick up time varies slightly, they know the routine that all the other kids will be gone for a certain time.

[Ana]

I agree it does not feel safe for a child when parent is constantly late. But first opening the conversation to parent and try to understand what is preventing them from picking on time. Then trying to work together to better help parents situation.

• This reply was modified 6 months ago by  Ana Yniguez.

[Lucendy]

I agree, try and have a conversation with the parent and see what is prohibiting them from picking up their child on time and find a solution together so the parent can pick up their child on time. If it continues then from there start implementing higher stake measures

[J.]

I agree, in my personal experience as my parents were always late I often felt embarrassed, overwhelmed, and I felt that I wasn’t important enough which hindered my growth as a child. I became timid and grew up to not pop my own bubble. So in this case, I would explain how 20 minutes could impact a child’s life, and how being late on one too many occasions may hinder their growth as a person.

[asha]

I completely agree I would make sure your written contract states the specific times when parents are expected to drop off and pick up their children. The pick-up time can be different from one family to the next.Parents who notifies provider at least 2 hours before pick-up time that they will be late will not be charged a late fee

[Jose]

Hi, my name is Jose and I agree 20 minutes may not seem long time for the parents, but for the child is kind of scary. In my experience when children are the last to be picked up they got scare and start crying and is hard for the teacher to explain to them that mom will come. Also, we can ask parent what is going on in their life and try to help them and remined about the program police and explain them about why we are asking to pick the child on time and give the parent some articles to read on the subject.

[Jamie]

The explanation can include that the level of commitment by the parent to pick up on time was agreed to and signed off on in the parent handbook that listed the responsibilities of the parent. Most facilities will have a late fee that is charged immediately.

[Christina]

I agree with this, I have in my policy late fee schedules. I need open comunication from the parents if they will be late. If it seems to be consistent i would ask for an evening phone call or parent teacher meeting. I would explain to the parents that this is affecting the child with being the last to be picked up. I would also explain i have 3 children of my own that this schedule is not working for me as we have after school activities and let the parents respond before making any decisions.

[Alisha]

In this situation it is right to have a meeting with the parent and let them know that it’s not okay picking their child up late as it effects the child, I would also be sure to try and understand the parents point of view and reasoning first before moving forward and making any sort of reports concerning the situation.

[Aparna]

first you have to make sure your written contact states the specific times of drop off and pick up children.you should explain the parent 20 minutes may not seem long to the parent, but it affects the child who is the last to be picked up and it’s hard on staff member too. being respectful to the school’s regulations and staff’s time this isn’t acceptable to picking up child late so often. If it continues

[Anna]

First I’d ask the reason it is happening, since different causes may require different responses, and try to empathize with the parent and show I understand how hard they are trying and how difficult their challenges are. I’d emphasize the needs to be on time in an understandable non-emotionally-charged way, such as how for legal/licensing reasons we cannot have children here after closing, or how children staying later than expected may require additional tuition, etc. Then I’d see if we can brainstorm possible solutions and backup plans that will either help the parent arrive on time or provide an alternate authorized person to pick the child up when the parent can’t be on time.

[Diamon]

I would give the parent a friendly reminder that we have to come to a conclusion to start getting her child on time & what are ways we can work through it. Possibly start a meeting if it continues & also maybe just come up with a new plan.

[Ranjani]

I would try to explain that 20 minutes may not a big deal for the parents but as a teacher we also have family to take care of. We may want to go and pick up our child from the school or some other commitments. Then I would suggest and then request after few times of repetition of the same to not come late as it affects others schedule.

[Rachel]

Ask why this is continuing to happen and if there is anyone else that is able to pick her child up at the time theyre supposed to be picked up. Explain to her that it is not fair to the staff that they have to stay after hours with their child, and most importantly that this can effect her child since they are the last ones to leave; it might make them feel confused and forgotten. Let her know that this can not happen again or else their will be consequences, and serious actions might have to be taken.

[Alena]

In my opinion, if this happens often, then you should talk to the parents and find out the objective reasons and let them understand that the lateness of the parents may affect the child, because the child may think that he was abandoned, and I would also try to understand the point the parents’ perspective and reasoning before making any reports about the situation.

[abby]

communicating with the mom, is there something going on thats stopping her from picking up her child on time? if there is something going on then we can try and work something out with her and find a solution.

[jess]

I will communicate effectively to the parent that I understand that it is hard sometimes because life happens traffic you get off late from work etc. but that it’s harder on the kid to have to wait and get the last one out after being there for a long period of time but do you still understand and see if there’s someway that they could get there quicker maybe by being off work earlier.

[Andraya Johnson]

I would express to the parent I understand that things happen and that every now and then there is a fluke where one might be late due to traffic or work etc however there is a late fee when late and while 20 mins might not seem like that much it is a lot of extra time for a child who usually goes home at a certain time and has now been the last one here.

[Elizabeth]

I’d have a discussion with her asking if she needs any help with anything and try to figure out why she is late. She may be going through issues that are affecting her arrival time. I’d try to remind her that the time doesn’t seem very long but for a child is is and that it is difficult to schedule after closing time with staff.

[Reyna]

<font style=”vertical-align: inherit;”><font style=”vertical-align: inherit;”>Saludaría amablemente a la señora Hopkins y le diría lo ansioso y emocionado que está su hijo por verla llegar a recogerlo . (( en este punto le doy la pauta a la señora Hopkins que me platiqué por si sola el motivo que ah llegado tarde)) ya escuchando su problema le diría que puede contar con nosotros y esperamos que solucione su inconveniente lo más pronto posible . </font></font>

[Kristin]

Consider these scenarios:

1. This is the third time in the last two weeks that Mrs. Hopkins has picked up her child late. Today she did not arrive until 20 minutes after closing time. In this scenario, one could address the mother and say “hello “sally” i wanted to discuss pick up with you, is that something you have a moment to discuss with me?”

2. Lily is 20 months old. This is the second time she has bitten another child today. Lily’s mom is very upset and may pull her out. If i was the provider I would confirm that this is very common in children lily’s age and can give the mother suggestions on how we can work to help lily understand biting is not a good thing both at home and in school. Make it seem like a team effort.

3. The family was very upset when they came to pick up their son and found him dressed as a princess. They say they’re worry about him being teased and/or not understanding appropriate “male” behavior. For this one I would probably say that during story telling all the boys wanted to be princesses while all the girls decided to be knights(if that is the case) and I understand where they are coming from

4. Mom is angry because her child got magenta tempera on her shirt and it wouldn’t wash out. The shirt is ruined. In a situation like this I could try to get the stain out and ask the mother if she knows any home remedies that might be able to help

5. Dad is yelling at his son because the son does not want to stay at the childcare center. Dad is extremely frustrated because he is late for work. I would ask the dad if i could step in and distract the child. If he says yes I would offer to help the child get ready for the day and maybe offer to do an activity that would be distracting

6. Grandma starts to cry when she drops off her grandbaby because she feels she’s abandoning her since she has to go back to work. It would be important for the grandma to know that the child is safe in your hands and also let her know that she is doing a great job

[Lauren]

I would start off with asking if there’s a reason why they are so late. Then, if needed, I would kindly ask if there’s someone that could be at the daycare sooner to pick up the child so that the child isn’t getting emotional waiting for their parents/caregivers. I would also explain how we aren’t supposed to have children past closing time and that it could also cause the child to feel confused or forgotten and the child could develop emotional/abandonment issues.