I work at a center in a three year old room. The children notice if they get picked up early or late, but the children who are usually picked up later don't seem to be particularly bothered by it. My center closes at 6 and I usually still have 3-5 children at 5:50. Whoever is the last one to get picked up, usually gets to walk around the center with me while I turn in paperwork, get a mop, etc. and they think it's great fun.

The ones who are usually picked up early DO get bothered by late pickups because they're not used to it. They start to get worried and I've had more than one child ask me if their mom/dad forgot to come pick them up.

At 20 months, your child probably isn't bothered by the late pickups. As long as her needs are being met by her teacher(s), she's fine. I'm sure she'd rather get picked up earlier and spend more time with you, but if that's not possible then that's not possible.

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