Daycare pick-up guidlines - strict?

jc2406 · May 2013

How strict are your daycare pick-up guidelines if someone other than the parent is picking up? Our center made us fill out an authorized list upon enrollment. DH does the pick-up. I do the drop-off. Something came up last Thursday and I asked my sister if she could do the pick-up instead. Turns out, she was not on the authorized list (I thought I put her on there) and they would not release my DS. I was somewhat frustrated as I had sent the center an e-mail in advance that she was picking him up but I totally get it. I sent out another e-mail asking how I can update the list. No response and my DS does not attend on Fridays. Fast foward to today. My DH is re-doing our bathroom (over the weekend and today) and is running into some problems. He asked if my sister could again do the pick-up. I called the center and they're giving me a hard time because I have to update the list in person. I'm a little upset but trying to keep it in perspective. At the end of the day, I know they are looking out for the safety of my DS as well as protecting themselves. But, just curious if this is line with other centers? TIA!

mgrulke · May 2013

I think that it is kinda silly that they wont take you word for it either through email or phone call. It think when you do get a chance to update your contacts list a whole s*** load of ppl that "might" pick up just in case. I know i did that with my DD one daycare because it could be about 6-8 different ppl picking her up(me,dh, 4grandparents, aunt/uncles)

azuremama · May 2013

Ours is pretty strict, too. I added everyone who could possibly ever have to pick the kids up, just in case.

EastCoastBride · May 2013

I don't go to a center so I don't deal with this.

BUT - as long as you're emailing/calling from a known address/number, it would be nice for that to suffice as long as you do it in person too ASAP. Emergencies DO happen.

However, in this day and age and all the crazy crap that can happen (no matter how tiny a chance), I can't fault them either when it really comes down to it.

aeh72 · May 2013

We're not at a center but even our in-home daycare and has similiarly strict guidelines. Obviously, it's for safety reasons but they are probably also worried about making an exception for one and not for others. It could have a snowball effect and create a nightmare for them.

dimondwind · May 2013

Ours is very strict like yours, and I'm thankful it's this way. I understand you're frustrated, but it's the best for the kids. And I can understand the in person requirement - what if a crazy ex (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc) used his wife's email account to put his name on the list? You can never be too careful.

Bella427 · May 2013

We can have someone not on the list pick up our kids, as long as we notify daycare in writing (email is fine). The person doing pick up has to know the access code and has to show a photo ID before the kids will be released.

brettsmama · May 2013

The two big centers DS had gone to were both strict. We had to have the person on a list and the first time they picked up they had to show picture ID. I understand not allowing update by phone or email because they can't confirm it's actually you giving the authorization.

LoCarb · May 2013

My center requires us to fill out pre-authorization list and the new person also needs to show ID.

Think of the positive-the center won't allow strangers to pick up your child. He/she is safe!

honeybee72 · May 2013

In theory, we're just as strict as OP's center. But in practice, there are places for it to break down.

We had a form to fill out at our registration with names of authorized alternates to whom they could release the girls. And there is an expectation that we would provide notice in advance (at drop-off) if someone else is picking up. In order to get into the center, though, we would need to supply them with our access code. If they were coming at a high traffic time, though, they could possibly piggyback on someone else. Most of the parking is for staff and drop-off/pick-up usually involves a line of idling cars. So, at the door, security is up to the individual parents.

Once someone is in, there is one central hall (along the front of all the rooms) and the window for the director's office is right inside the door. By now, I recognize most of the other teachers and (I think) they recognize me. I expect the director, and her co-director, recognize all families and would flag someone down who looked unfamiiliar. But early in the am or late in the day, there isn't always someone in the office. At that point, it would be up to the teachers in the room. I would expect they know all the adults doing drop-off or pick-up for all the kids in their room, but I'm not sure what the protocol would be if someone unfamiliar got all the way to the room and asked for a specific child.

KathrynMD · May 2013

our daycare is very strict about it. I think its 100% a liability issue for them and I don't blame them one bit for being strict. I do think its a little ridiculous that no one responded to your earlier request.

mben1119 · May 2013

mgrulke:
I think that it is kinda silly that they wont take you word for it either through email or phone call.

Really? I think that's wonderful. How could they prove that it is you calling or emailing? Its a huge security risk. Our DCP is very strict about it, and I'm so grateful for that. We have family members that we never want picking DS up that might try and pull something like that.

Mrs.RockyM · May 2013

We had an issue once when I told them my mother would be picking DD1 up and by the time my mother had come the main teacher was gone for the day so the office called me and DH just to verify. My mother doesn't live locally so she wasn't on the emergency form. When I was pregnant with DD2, I updated my emergency form and made sure to include everyone who could possibly pick up DD1 - just incase. since then it hasn't been an issue. I get the concern, and I appreciate it because they're looking out for the safety of my children. It's a bit of a pain, but I'd much rather they do this than just send my kids home with anyone! Next time you drop DS off, just make sure to update the list.

ITGurl0626 · May 2013

My daycare center is pretty strict too. I recently had to add my sister as an authorized person to pick up my DD, they had me put that in writing. I'd rather them be very strict about something like that.

Pips09 · May 2013

My daycare is really strict, and I like it that way.

pitterpatter129 · May 2013

I'm not sure... if someone else is picking him up, I always leave a signed note with the person's name and phone number for the director, so I would think that would cover it (never had them question it.)

iverske9 · May 2013

I think daycares are so strict because of awful stories where kids were taken when not authorized to do so. Remember the daycare where the grandmother took her two grandkids but she was not stable and they found them all dead? I know it is a crazy situation but I think it is more of a liability thing than something to annoy us.

emberlee3 · May 2013

Just as strict as yours. Anyone picking up must be listed in advance as authorized person and show ID.

KathrynMD · May 2013

ArkansasMom22:

I appreciate them being very strict.
In the town I grew up in a man murdered a mom and dad and then went to the after school center and picked up their daughter and then buried her alive. He called the center and pretended to be the dad giving authorization and they allowed him to pick her up. This was in the early nineties but it makes me thankful they are more strict now.

OMG how awful.

Clynnpollock · May 2013

Only MIL has ever picked up DS outside of DH and I. She is on the emergency contact list (they don't have an authorized pickup list at our DC). We have to authorize anyone to pick up. It can be done by phone, but we have a secret code that we have to indicate to the staff member that only DH and I know to verify that it is us calling. MIL now picks up DS 1 day every week as a standing thing, and we let them know if she's going to get him any others at drop off (call if we're running late, and she's picking up). She did have to show ID until the staff got to know her. I even had to show ID to pick up DS when they got new staff a while back. I like that they are this careful....

*sparky* · May 2013

I think this level of security is pretty standard and I would be happy it is in place for the safety of my child. When your DH picks up today, have him add your sister in person so this is not an issue again.

I would not want them to allow changes the day of via email or phone either.

Kie310 · May 2013

Ours is strick. There are 3 people on the list that can pick up my kids other than me or my husband. That person has to know the password (but is not allowed to know our pass code to get into the building) & have a photo id at pick up. We also have to let them know via email or phone call in the AM when we know someone else is going to do pick up.

I like it, but I have never had an issue with it.

ridesbuttons · May 2013

If they are not on the list, they do not get to pick the child up. No exceptions. If they are on the list, they still need advance warning (a note at drop off or a phone call during the day).

The policy to me appears sound.

preggersin2011 · May 2013

At our center, they can only release the child to the people on birth certificate/court order and those names on the list provided on file in the office. I would worry about any center taking changes over the phone or email. If you planned on having someone else do the pick up why didn't you verify at drop off that their name was on the list?

I don't communicate with our center via email- we cant. You either speak with them in person or over the phone. I would worry about someone having enough free time to read and respond to emails.

Xtine22 · May 2013

ArkansasMom22:
JNLLSM:
One day I had a coworker pick up DN, I called the school and explain that my coworker will be picking up DN, because I could not pick him up. They called me back to make sure it was me. When DN was in an at home day care my sister picked him up for me. She made sure I verified it. I can understand being strict, folks are crazy. I would never want to give a child to a person not authorized.
We have not encountered it but our DC advised they would do the same. We also have a family "password" so if we have someone else pick up DS on top of them having to know the entry code, his clock in code, and having been approved by me and show ID they have to give them the word we set up. I appreciate them being very strict. In the town I grew up in a man murdered a mom and dad and then went to the after school center and picked up their daughter and then buried her alive. He called the center and pretended to be the dad giving authorization and they allowed him to pick her up. This was in the early nineties but it makes me thankful they are more strict now.

Not to be creepy but I'm pretty sure we grew up in the same town.

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