how long does it take for you to drop LO at daycare?

aries21 · December 2010

Is it really fast or does it take some time. I am trying to figure out my commute and how much I should plan for this.

jenuine · December 2010

I would alot 20 minutes the first day. You probably won't need all of it, but it's better to have a bit of a buffer in case the teacher wants to talk a bit. Typically, drop off takes me less than 5 minutes, even when she was an infant. Some moms like to linger and chat with the teachers. But I am an all business person. I sign her in, fill out her form, put her food and personal things in her cubby, quick kiss and I am out the door.

madhatter2003 · December 2010

10 minutes tops for both. It took longer when they were in the infant room just to unpack the bottles, fill in the day sheet, etc. Now it's walk in, take off coats and hang up backpacks and I'm out of there.

Blue1299 · December 2010

Sometimes it takes 5 mins, sometimes closer to 10. If it's the beginning of our week then I have to put her blanket/sheets in her crib (make it up) & make a payment. A few mornings she will poo on our way there, so I have to change her before I leave. And sometimes she doesn't want to let me go, so I try to make sure she's playing or at least content before I go to work.

LJR 84 · December 2010

Usually about 5 minutes. All I do is take DD out of her carseat and hand her to one of her teachers. They take care of everything else.

Pick up can take a bit longer because they may be mid-bottle or diaper change. I like to make it as quick as possible though- I don't socialize. (Some parents do).

ShufflerChick · December 2010

Under a minute. They have curb side drop off, so a teacher will take DD and all of her stuff directly from the car so I never have to park and get out.

Pick up takes longer to go in, chit chat about her day, and collect all of her things and any projects, but usually not more than 5-10 minutes.

thatjessie · December 2010

Depends on DD. Sometimes I can barely keep her close enough for a kiss and somedays she needs to be held for a few. I give about 15 min each morning. Pickup is easy, shoes and coat on and we're gone.

Cat-in-Boston · December 2010

Our daycare is on our way to work. It adds about an additional 5-10 minutes to the commute. Normally, we drop off and give any quick messages and then more detailed conversations take place at pick up, or via email/phone during the day. Once we have #2 we're going to need to add another 5-10 minutes, one to daycare and one to nursery school.

KRB8 · December 2010

I normally stay about 5-7 minutes. I take some time to talk to DD and the DCP. I like to ask how her previous day was, since DH picks up DD from daycare. Our DCP is an in-home DC and DD is normally the first one there. So I like hanging out for a bit. I'll give DD to DCP to hold and then I'll talk to DCP and check DD's bin to make sure she has enough diapers, wipes, etc.

AleciaMarie · December 2010

About 5 mins unless the teacher wants to talk. I just give the teacher the bag of her stuff and unbuckle Azzie/kiss her goodbye (I leave her seat there).

aglenn · December 2010

It takes me forever (15 minutes+), so I let DH do drop off most days. I just like to make sure DD is settled and busy doing something before I leave. I have a hard time walking out the door still. Everything could conceivably be done in about 5 minutes (signing her in, filling out the sheet, putting her stuff away, saying goodbye).

trinny · December 2010

DH takes forever! He'll stay 20 minutes just with DD playing with the kids and talking to the teachers-- it is really sweet though. I usually try to keep it under 15 min for both. Since DH does pickup, that's my only time to talk with them about the kids.

I've seen one mom just come in and hand her kid straight to the teacher (don't even take off his coat) and leave-- it looks cold, but maybe they're just in a rush or he has separation anxiety and this is the way they deal with it.

katypresson · December 2010

About 10 minutes. We drop him off at FIL's house though - he is our daycare.

AdaraMarie · December 2010

The first few weeks it took me forever, like around 30 minutes. I never want to leave because morning is the most awake and happy that I get to see M. Now I am down to about 10, but I am probably one of the slowest.