Question for daycare moms...

LJR 84 · November 2010

If you for some reason pick your LO up earlier than normal from daycare, do you call ahead of time and let them know you're coming? I usually do, mostly so they have her ready for me when I get there. I'm just wondering if they care either way. For some reason I feel obligated to call and let them know I'm coming for their sake...when I probably shouldn't.

What do you do? Thanks.

Lambie. · November 2010

No, I like to surprise them sometimes and see what they are doing with her when they aren't expecting me to walk through the door.

Mrs.Handy · November 2010

DH does the pick-up and drop-off the majority of the time. But we usually call 5 minutes or so before we get there so she can get his stuff ready.

I guess you could argue that it would better to drop-in to check up on what is going on, but I guess for us it's just common courtesy to make her job easier.

We're at an in-home DCP.

h2babe · November 2010

Lambie.:
No, I like to surprise them sometimes and see what they are doing with her when they aren't expecting me to walk through the door.

This is me as well !!! They know what time we normally pick DD up, but we have surprised them in several occasions where we're there 10, 15, 30 and 45 mins early. I also drop by sometimes if I go out and run errand at lunch, and I am nearby, I would just pop in and see DD for 5-10 mins.

erin033 · November 2010

I call or text my lady. I like him to be ready to go too.

LJR 84 · November 2010

Lambie.:
No, I like to surprise them sometimes and see what they are doing with her when they aren't expecting me to walk through the door.

That's what I was thinking as well. DF has done that on several occasions. It's definitely not a bad idea!

StevieJo · November 2010

We have a friend watch her so we'll usually just send a text "On my way".

MNgirl326 · November 2010

It depends on the day and what I have going on. Sometimes I like to surprise them for exactly the same reasons that Lambie said. But sometimes I am actually in a hurry or have places to go so I want him ready to go, then I will call.

Whats nice is, the times i have surprised them, i have seen LO doing exactly the things I would hope- either being held, napping, or actively engaged in play time. I am trusting my daycare more and more everyday so I don't feel the need to surprise them as much as I used to.

historychick79 · November 2010

I usually mark on my morning drop-off form when I plan to be there, so they have an idea. Sometimes I run errands after work and if I finish earlier than what I wrote on the sheet I don't call to let them know. These are times when I do catch them unawares from time to time and see how things are going when they aren't expecting anyone; but my DCP provider told me they actually welcome surprise visits any time, and if I see something I don't like it's good to have an opportunity to talk about it. So far I've been very happy with what I'm seeing And I would definitely call if I were ever running late.

Edited to clarify errands section.

Tippy05 · November 2010

Lambie.:
No, I like to surprise them sometimes and see what they are doing with her when they aren't expecting me to walk through the door.

yup!

sugarland726 · November 2010

Lambie.:
No, I like to surprise them sometimes and see what they are doing with her when they aren't expecting me to walk through the door.

this. Although if I am going to be much later than normal, I mark it on the sheet so they can make sure she is fed (if necessary) or allow her to nap longer.

nicole925 · November 2010

Lambie.:
No, I like to surprise them sometimes and see what they are doing with her when they aren't expecting me to walk through the door.

Yes Exactly This !

scoutkate · November 2010

Lambie.:
No, I like to surprise them sometimes and see what they are doing with her when they aren't expecting me to walk through the door.

Yes And thankfully I've never witnessed anything I didn't like. B loves her teachers and they adore her.

KAG30 · November 2010

I only call if I am running late not early. They have never minded when I come early.

mkanderson85 · November 2010

I go at different times every day and I never tell them when. Some days I come right after school. Some days I have my dancers practice until 3:30, some days until 5:30. I keep them on their toes!

Stephanie2167 · November 2010

We call. Especially because we don't like to surprise her when all the other kids are napping. If we tell her, she will have DD ready and we don't bother the other kids. We are at an in home daycare.