I've decided to close early for Halloween this year. It may make a few of the families a little upset, it's hard to tell. I'm finding this holiday a real struggle to balance family/work life. I think instead of closing at 5:30 (which only 1 family really stays till), I will be closing at 4. My husband has a deadline end of October and he's already warned me he won't be around to help. I have three children ages (3, 5, & 7) so I'm hoping my families are understanding. I've kept them in mind and know they can all get here by then, it's just a matter of not stopping at the grocery store, or completing their work outs before pick up time to have it happen.

Anyone else close early on Halloween to save your sanity? Were there any issues? Planning to send the note today.

I'm planning a mini party kids in my care as well. Dress up, show and tell, craft, special 'spooky' lunch. Maybe send 'em home with a mini goody bag.

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Up until this year, I used to close every Halloween at 3:00. I just sent parents a quick note that I wanted to be available to celebrate with my own children and help them get ready for trick or treating. No one ever had a problem with it.

This year, however, I am just plain closed.

I don't think you should have any issues closing early since you are really only looking to close 90 minutes earlier than normal.

I would simply let the families know as soon as possible since it is next week already but I don't think anyone should have an issue with it since it will allow them to get dinner served before trick or treating and will allow them to be there for their own kids too.

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Last year I closed at 5. There wasn't any problem. The one family who stayed till 630 had left by 3 that day.
This year I figured wth and I'm open till 530. I have two families that leave between 530-6. I'm going to serve dinner at 5.

If your families are out of work early enough I wouldn't worry about it an extra minute. If they are mad because they want to run errands or grocery shop - too bad!

I think you will be happy with your decision. The kids are really roudy on Halloween. I'm sure I will regret my decision!

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funny thing is...when I worked in centers, THIS was the day kids got picked up early. not before christmas, new years, thanksgiving, it was Halloween! My DH is off early so he's going to take my kids out. I hate to miss but I have the option to stay open. thing is, I have a child that is school age and only come drop in and she doesnt celebrate...shes coming on halloween! I should be done with festivities before school is out so its ok

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I'm closing early this year, first time ever. Normally I close at 5:30, this year, 4:30.

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I don't think many parents will have an issue with it... and if they do, oh well

My last pick-up is at 5pm, so that's when I will be closing this year, as usual. But I've decided that we're going to simply CLOSE on Halloween after this year. I give out schedules in the beginning of each year, so I guess I'll know in January how my families feel about it!

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I ALWAYS close at 4:30 so I won't be closing any earlier than that.

I do however serve pumpkin pizza at 4 pm so those picking up at 4:30 (which is everyone) can just go right to trick or treating.

I also have the kids bring their costumes, we wear them in the morning for a while, we do lots of fun things. I will post some ideas in a bit.

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Thanks Ladies!! The e-mail has been sent, so I'll know soon if anyone has any issues. There's only 1 family that may have issues, but they're child is the most difficult so if they leave, it would probably be a blessing anyways.

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I never plan a Halloween party on Halloween itself because it causes me too much stress since the kids are already so wound up because of their excitement I do plan one for the friday before though.

I always close early on Halloween. Noone has ever seemed to mind. I think most DCFS try to get off a little early in order to feed their little ones and dress them up too so normally they plan on an early pick up anyway. Don't feel bad about it. Your sanity is important

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never did and I won't now with dgks. It irritates me when peope show up at 5 or 5:30 to trick or treat. get real people are just getting off work. I will take the dgks to a local trick or trunk this was not aimed ant anyone here just the child who shows up that early so they can go to many houses. rates right there with the babies trick or treating with the young parents.

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We're open until our normal time. We don't celebrate Halloween in the typical way.

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I've always had an early closing on Halloween under the "paid holidays" section of my contract. I used to close at 3pm but now that my kids are older (and don't even get home from school till 3:45) I have extended it to 4pm.

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I will be closing at 4:00. My husbands work (huge office building) has trick or treating for kids and they close at 5:00 so you have to get there early. Then we have a huge halloween parade that starts at 5:00-6;00 downtown. Most people here start at 4:00/5:00-9:00 or later. So for us to get to hubs work we have to be ready no later then 4;00 and heading out the door.

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