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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Thoughts on Parents Walking in...
WImom 07:24 AM 07-11-2012
Normally if it's the normal drop off time 7-7:15 and pick up time 4-4:30 I leave my door unlocked and some parents will walk right in. I don't have a problem with that. I normally lock the door right away after. With summer and my own kids coming and going it doesn't always get locked.

I had a parent that was late today because her children had dentist appts. just walk right in at 9:00. I've also had another parent come pick up at 3:45 - 30 minutes earlier than his normal pick up just walk right in.

Would you be bothered by this? I am and wondering if this is the norm for parents to think they can walk right in or if a notice to parents is in order here. Basically saying if you are not coming at your normal pick up or drop off you should not be walking right in. This is my home after all.

What would you do in the situation?
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dEHmom 07:27 AM 07-11-2012
hmm, that's a tough one. It is your home and if you feel they should knock or inform you of early/late arrivals as they may be disturbing the other children by just walking in that's up to you.

All my parents do a "knock knock" and then open the door.
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Heidi 07:31 AM 07-11-2012
I encourage it. All my new parents start off knocking, and I tell them to walk right in. I HATE having to get up off the floor to open the door, and don't allow the kids to do it.

My sister who does daycare has an electronic lock installed, and her dcp's know the code. There is also a "donger" on the door that sounds off when the door is opened. The combination works well for her. But, she lives in a "rougher" area of the city, and I live in a rural subdivision (plus I have a Shih Tzu that barks at anyone comming in ....or out).

I guess it's whatever works for you. If you don't like them just walking in, put a note on the door "after 8am..please knock", or send a memo to everyone...
Basically, feel free to walk in during normal arrival and departure hours, but if you come during "off" times, knock first, lest you give your provider a heart attack.
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Kiki 07:31 AM 07-11-2012
Originally Posted by WImom:
Normally if it's the normal drop off time 7-7:15 and pick up time 4-4:30 I leave my door unlocked and some parents will walk right in. I don't have a problem with that. I normally lock the door right away after. With summer and my own kids coming and going it doesn't always get locked.

I had a parent that was late today because her children had dentist appts. just walk right in at 9:00. I've also had another parent come pick up at 3:45 - 30 minutes earlier than his normal pick up just walk right in.

Would you be bothered by this? I am and wondering if this is the norm for parents to think they can walk right in or if a notice to parents is in order here. Basically saying if you are not coming at your normal pick up or drop off you should not be walking right in. This is my home after all.

What would you do in the situation?
To be fair to the parents, if they are used to walking in and out and their pick up/drop off times, they probably didn't think twice about it. I do see where you are coming from though.

My door is locked. At all times, even drop off/pick up times, I state that in my handbook I keep the door locked at all times for the safety of everyone in my home. I have a notice on my door that has my 'quiet times' listed so parents know when to knock quietly, and when to ring my bell. I know that I run a day care, but this is also my home, I would never feel ok with anybody other than family walking right in. My situation might be different though, my day care room is right in the front entrance to my entire home, maybe if it was in the basement or something with it's own entrance I wouldn't mind as much.
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countrymom 07:32 AM 07-11-2012
I had 2 moms who would walk right in and just stand in the kitchen and not make a sound. I would walk into the kitchen and scare the tar out of me. So I went and bought a door alarm, you can buy them at home depot for about 30 dollars.
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wahmof3 07:33 AM 07-11-2012
IMO: I don't like it when DCP walk on in. I would never walk into someones home so I wouldn't want someone walking into mine.

I know some providers don't mind, but yeah I do.

That's when I start making sure my door is locked and maybe address it in a newsletter???
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Crazy8 07:41 AM 07-11-2012
I have no problem with them walking in, I hate when I'm sitting on the floor with the kids and have to get up to answer the door when its not even locked! Most do give a quick knock and then enter though. My screen door is locked 90% of the time outside my busiest drop off/pick up times so I usually do have to answer it.

My daycare is right off my entry though, so they aren't going thru my house. I hate when people even start walking towards my kitchen/family room - there is no reason for it besides being nosy.
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Breezy 07:55 AM 07-11-2012
I usually open the door before anyone knocks in the morning. My dogs alert me when they pull up. In the afternoon they knock and I answer. I sometimes clean with a tank top on during nap time and I want a chance to throw my shirt back on if someone comes early.
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Country Kids 07:58 AM 07-11-2012
Mine walk in but my new parents won't. I'm going to have to give them a reminder because if we are outside they will just stand there!

I do have a set of bells that hang off my door handle so they ring when anyone walks in.
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Truly Scrumptious 08:24 AM 07-11-2012
If it bothers YOU, that's all that matters. You should be offering an open door policy, but you're right it's still your home and parents need to be respectful of that. I agree that you should address it in a letter and set some guidlines. Also make sure to add it to your rules and reiterate it in your interview.

One thing that I do when I have parents that are breaking what I call ,"my nit picky" rules (even though they may be nit picky...I still don't like it nor do I want it happening), I will make a copy of their contract or policy page addressing that rule and highlight it and stick it in their cubbie. It's a "hint" for them to stop....if they don't, then I have no choice but to address them personally.
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texascare 08:51 AM 07-11-2012
I have my buisness in the front of my house so it doesn't bother me that they walk in. When they knock all my dogs start barking and that drives me nuts!!! I do have an alarm system that chimes when the doors are open so if I am in the bathroom I can hear them. I would put a note on the front door that says please knock before entering.
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seebachers 09:27 AM 07-11-2012
If I am open for business....it is a strict OPEN DOOR policy.
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renodeb 09:38 AM 07-11-2012
I think it boils down to what ever works for the individual. I started out greeting each family at the door, that lasted about 3 months then I decided that it would be better if I told them that they were welcome to walk in. My dc is in the middle of my house so it works for me. My dog is a good enough door alarm. All of my dc parents are great about respecting nap times and have been good about letting me know if they will be earlier or later than normal. My door stays locked until just a moment before my first family. Luckily all of my fams have pretty regular d/o and p/u times. I do have two moms who knock before entering and thats ok. I think a lot of how do conduct things also depends on where you live, city country etc. You need to do what feels right for you.
I will never forget early on in running a dc how my front door was unlocked b/c my husband went out and got the and at 645 he says to me "I think there is someone here" I round the corner with my hair wrapped in a towel and there in the dark stands one of my families 30 minutes earlier than usual. (scared the life out of me) I said to them "oh I didnt expect anyone for
30 minutes" They said " We just wanted to be early" I left a note on there daily note about when I open and they never pulled that again.
I think if my house were a two story model or a bigger house I would think diffrently!
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mac60 09:39 AM 07-11-2012
Open door does not mean free reign of coming and going whenever they want. I once had a mom show up 1 /12 hours early, walked in, stood in my dining room, and was watching me load the dishwasher....when I turned around she was "there" and it scared the hell out of me. That is why we ask for a courtesy phone call or a knock, it has nothing to do with an open door policy.
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nothingwithoutjoy 09:49 AM 07-11-2012
In my program, I invite parents to walk in at any time during business hours. I don't think you have to--that's just my preference. But I do think you should just spell out exactly what you'd like; I wrote it right into my parent handbook so parents would know what to expect and we'd all feel comfortable. Most of them are very respectful about knocking if they return 5 minutes after I've closed, for example, because they forgot something.
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momma2girls 10:30 AM 07-11-2012
my door is locked at all times, til pick up time. I have had parents scare the crap out of me. THat is when i put a stop to it. I have it written in my contract as well, to please be courtious and knock before entering my home and daycare.
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DBug 10:43 AM 07-11-2012
My door is always open (usually during "closed" hours too) because I use my back door as a daycare entrance. I have a small entrance with a gate up so that parents can come inside, but not into the actual playroom. I'm okay with them walking in at any time, but I have been startled a few times with parents showing up at odd times. I was thinking of getting something like this:

Driveway Patrol Sensor Receiver Kit http://www.amazon.com/Driveway-Patro.../dp/B0000645RH

It chimes when someone pulls up into your driveway. I'm not sure how sensitive it is, but in my case I'd rather have it chime when someone enters the backyard (which they have to do to get to my back door).

My biggest problem is the neighbours that think they can just walk in the back door since they see the daycare parents doing it . It's only happened twice, but that's two times too many!
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wahmof3 11:23 AM 07-11-2012
Originally Posted by mac60:
Open door does not mean free reign of coming and going whenever they want. I once had a mom show up 1 /12 hours early, walked in, stood in my dining room, and was watching me load the dishwasher....when I turned around she was "there" and it scared the hell out of me. That is why we ask for a courtesy phone call or a knock, it has nothing to do with an open door policy.
BINGO! I couldn't agree more
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JennyBear 11:30 AM 07-11-2012
All my parents know to just walk in and I'm okay with that and so far i've never had an issue. However, i do have some guidelines in my handbook regarding drop off/pick up.
It states that my doors are locked daily between 9am and 3pm for the safety of the children. If parents wish to drop off or pick up outside of those times they need to give me notice ( a quick call right before they come even!) and I'll unlock it for them.
Also, I use my front enterance for daycare and I have a wide hallway with lots of room and their cubbies. It's a gated area so parents don't usually go past the gate (one will come in to the dining room table to put her little one in her booster for breakfast if she sees I'm busy - and I'm okay with that) but other then that the parents leave kids on my side of the gate or I'll pass them over (or open the gate) for children to head home at pick up. It works well for me
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EchoMom 11:32 AM 07-11-2012
My door is usually unlocked and I tell parents to just come on in. I live in a split level house so I would HATE to be going up and down the stairs all day to answer the door. I lock it though when I know I'm not presentable because I'm cleaning, or if I'm nursing my son, or I want to watch tv and eat my lunch and maybe ice cream during nap time! :P

I do have one mom who is SOOOOOOO quiet I never hear her come in, I turn around and boom there she is. I honestly don't know how she does it!

I HATE when people knock or ring, it makes the dogs bark and wakes everyone up.
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seebachers 11:37 AM 07-11-2012
In my home.....it does
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Blackcat31 11:38 AM 07-11-2012
Originally Posted by Heidi:
I encourage it. All my new parents start off knocking, and I tell them to walk right in. I HATE having to get up off the floor to open the door, and don't allow the kids to do it.

I guess it's whatever works for you. If you don't like them just walking in, put a note on the door "after 8am..please knock", or send a memo to everyone...
Basically, feel free to walk in during normal arrival and departure hours, but if you come during "off" times, knock first, lest you give your provider a heart attack.
I agree with my "twin"

For me, my set up makes it annoying and difficult to deal with parents knocking so I prefer that they just come on in. I have a separated entryway that does not allow for parents to come in any further than the cubbie area so it works well for me.

I don't have a barking dog to alert me but i do have a driveway alarm and video survelance that has sound so I always know someone is here before they even get out of their vehicle.

I also agree with others...to each their own....if it isn't your cup of tea, then simply speak up and say something to your DCP's. It is your home/business so you have to let others know what is and isn't alright.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:21 PM 07-11-2012
My door is always locked. I prefer to know exactly when someone comes in and exactly when someone leaves.
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e.j. 01:17 PM 07-11-2012
Originally Posted by Heidi:
I guess it's whatever works for you. If you don't like them just walking in, put a note on the door "after 8am..please knock", or send a memo to everyone...
Basically, feel free to walk in during normal arrival and departure hours, but if you come during "off" times, knock first, lest you give your provider a heart attack.
I agree. I have no problem if parents just walk in during expected drop off and pick up times but I've asked them all to knock first if they come any other time. It's scary to look up to see someone standing there when you don't expect it.
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spud912 01:40 PM 07-11-2012
I think I've watched too many episodes of "I Survived" to keep my doors unlocked. Everyone knocks on the door to get in, both to prevent bad people out and keep the little ones in.

To each their own, though. You do what works for you, put it in policy, review it with the parents, and enforce.
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momma2girls 04:11 PM 07-11-2012
there is too much of a chance to have someone other than a daycare parent, come in your front door. If your door is open, anyone can come thru it. I am not ever taking that chance!!!
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JeepGirl6 04:59 PM 07-11-2012
So you know when parents arrive, get a driveway alarm. I don't know if you have a Harbor Frieght Store by you but they are $20 and go up to 400 feet. Every time a parents pulls in my drive the alarm goes off, I love it!
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clep 12:07 PM 07-12-2012
During the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm this is not just my house, it is also a business. I have an electronic door code on my door and parents have the code. They can walk in and out at will.

I don't care when the pick up or drop off as long as it is within my business hours.
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nanglgrl 03:02 PM 07-12-2012
Originally Posted by momma2girls:
there is too much of a chance to have someone other than a daycare parent, come in your front door. If your door is open, anyone can come thru it. I am not ever taking that chance!!!
Exactly. It is our job to make sure the children are safe. I have to many single parents who do not get along with ex's to take a chance and even though I live in a safe neighborhood in a safe town I can not tell the future and people are crazy these days .
Another thing to mention is that people may want to check with their state and their liability insurance. I thought the "allowing parents access at all times" meant that I had to leave my doors unlocked and was surprised to find out is doesn't. In fact when I ask the state and insurance both preferred that daycare providers lock their doors.
We had 2 children in our area in the last few years get out of their daycare homes. One happened while the children were napping and the provider was doing lunch dishes. She didn't hear the door opening over the water she had running and the child was found in the road (unharmed), sadly another child drowned.
You never know when a child will learn to open doors on their own. It may be convenient for us not to have to get up and answer the door all of the time and parents may like that they can "drop in" but my job is the kids.
My parents text me when they are close and I get their child ready to go and meet them at the door. I also tell parents if they feel they need to drop in unannounced to check on the quality of care they are provided then they are probably with the wrong provider. I've never had a problem with it.
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clep 03:30 PM 07-12-2012
Originally Posted by nanglgrl:
Exactly. It is our job to make sure the children are safe. I have to many single parents who do not get along with ex's to take a chance and even though I live in a safe neighborhood in a safe town I can not tell the future and people are crazy these days .
Another thing to mention is that people may want to check with their state and their liability insurance. I thought the "allowing parents access at all times" meant that I had to leave my doors unlocked and was surprised to find out is doesn't. In fact when I ask the state and insurance both preferred that daycare providers lock their doors.
We had 2 children in our area in the last few years get out of their daycare homes. One happened while the children were napping and the provider was doing lunch dishes. She didn't hear the door opening over the water she had running and the child was found in the road (unharmed), sadly another child drowned.
You never know when a child will learn to open doors on their own. It may be convenient for us not to have to get up and answer the door all of the time and parents may like that they can "drop in" but my job is the kids.
My parents text me when they are close and I get their child ready to go and meet them at the door. I also tell parents if they feel they need to drop in unannounced to check on the quality of care they are provided then they are probably with the wrong provider. I've never had a problem with it.
My door lock has a code for parents. It is has an automatic lock feature so three seconds after the door closes it automatically locks. We couldn't be safer. I got tired of checking to make sure the door is locked after parents because they would forget often. Now it is always locked and I don't have to answer it. It was well worth the 300 bucks to buy and install it.
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nanglgrl 04:25 PM 07-12-2012
Originally Posted by clep:
My door lock has a code for parents. It is has an automatic lock feature so three seconds after the door closes it automatically locks. We couldn't be safer. I got tired of checking to make sure the door is locked after parents because they would forget often. Now it is always locked and I don't have to answer it. It was well worth the 300 bucks to buy and install it.
I think the lock code is a great idea. We have one on our front door but it does not lock automatically. It does however unlock with a code. It's on our front door though and my daycare has a separate access through the side of the house so parents aren't walking through my living area. Our lock sits low, where the deadbolt is, and my 3 year old knows how to unlock it on the inside (its just a deadbolt on the inside and then a thing with numbers on the outside) and then open the door so we installed a bracket at the top of the door out of children's reach to keep the door locked. What is your lock like on the inside? Do you have a link or name of it...I like the idea of it locking automatically, although I would use it for my non daycare door. I assume parents have your code so do you change it when they are no longer in your daycare or everyday or is it separate from the rest of your house?
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momma2girls 06:30 PM 07-12-2012
Yeah, that is definately another thought, of a child walking out the door!!
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clep 07:18 PM 07-12-2012
Originally Posted by nanglgrl:
I think the lock code is a great idea. We have one on our front door but it does not lock automatically. It does however unlock with a code. It's on our front door though and my daycare has a separate access through the side of the house so parents aren't walking through my living area. Our lock sits low, where the deadbolt is, and my 3 year old knows how to unlock it on the inside (its just a deadbolt on the inside and then a thing with numbers on the outside) and then open the door so we installed a bracket at the top of the door out of children's reach to keep the door locked. What is your lock like on the inside? Do you have a link or name of it...I like the idea of it locking automatically, although I would use it for my non daycare door. I assume parents have your code so do you change it when they are no longer in your daycare or everyday or is it separate from the rest of your house?
Yes they all have one code. When a parent leaves I just change the code. My day care is in the basement and they have to go through my upstairs to the downstairs to get in. On days I am closed I just lock the actual door knob below the electronic lock so they can't "accidentally" walk in when I am closed.
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