Concerns About Early Pickup Expectations and Child Comfort at After-School Program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly are the “ safety concerns” OP?

well, the kids are wondering around and anyone can get through the front door -one ring the gaurd opens to everyone has an easy acess to kids- we cannot pretend that school shootings do not happen.

Perhaps they did “spare the children a moment to collect their belongings” — prior to and in the process of getting them ready to be picked up as scheduled.

again I arrived 15 minutes BEFORE

Were you expecting the teachers to wait until someone arrived for each kid to begin this process?
yes the same if I were to pick my child at 5:00pm


“Poor kids”? Really? In any case, If you can’t “physically accommodate their expectations “ — which, as far as I can tell, are about picking up your kid on time, then perhaps this particular program won’t work well for you. And, yes, this is normal. The teachers probably are eager to leave. Just like you, they have scheduled responsibilities and appointments.

Well, as I am told the aftercare should run till 6:00 the teachers should not have any expectations to leave before 6.

Right, they want to leave at 6. Not after you show up at and it takes a while for you to collect your kid's stuff and get him out of there. Actual 6. Because they are busy just like you.

What are talking about grabbing little jacket, hat and backpack and walking him takes at most 2 minutes. When I pick my child early -I never wait more than 5 minutes, They do not have to dress my child and they are free to leave as soon my child is in my reach. I can dress my child . They do it to hurt my child and send me a message

Then perhaps you can tell the teachers that you will arrive consistently by 5:45, and that you will dress your child yourself. And then you need to do it — so that you and your child actually leave by 6. Keep in mind though, that this might be confusing for your child if the other remaining kids are getting ready to go home while your child is not.

what are you taking about? it is confusing for my child to sit in the winter coat indoors fore 15 minutes

Keep in mind too that if the group activity for all of the other kids involves getting ready to leave, your child will probably have to wait while this is happening, unless you’ve already come early to get him ready to leave yourself. Keep in mind also that your “at most 2 minutes” might play out differently for teachers working with multiple kids.

what activity? putting the coat and a hat which most kids do on their own

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are probably rushing out to get their own kids.

This.

[Anonymous]

Your kid doesn’t need to be entertained every minute.

[Anonymous]

OP, hon, it's ok for your child to wait! This is a normal part of being in a group setting, and it's an important life skill. It's really not that big a deal. Learning to wait patiently is an age-appropriate thing for a preschooler to develop. He will not be confused. He will think "I am ready to go and waiting for my mom." There's nothing confusing about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child is safe and able to sit around for 15 minutes bored while they wait for you, I’d pick my battles.

Today, he was running through the hallways. How is it that if I pick up my child at 5:00, I cannot get past security and must wait for my child to be brought to me due to safety concerns, but after 5:45, those concerns seem to disappear?

Well, you didn’t mention that in your original post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: document grievances—are you witnessing aggressive yelling, name-calling, adult language, unhealthy snacks, use of phone on the playgrounds? Go to aftercare early and observe how kids are treated, ask your kids how they feel, document, rally other parents, report to school admin (copying other parents), repeat. Follow-up with admin on their actions and resolutions. No one is going to fight this fight for you. Everyone is tired and overcommitted it seems.

here is a little problem with that - it is impossible to observe as parents are not allowed to come upstairs to pick up kids citing safely concerns ... how do parents get around this and instill some parental supervision of the after school activities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: document grievances—are you witnessing aggressive yelling, name-calling, adult language, unhealthy snacks, use of phone on the playgrounds? Go to aftercare early and observe how kids are treated, ask your kids how they feel, document, rally other parents, report to school admin (copying other parents), repeat. Follow-up with admin on their actions and resolutions. No one is going to fight this fight for you. Everyone is tired and overcommitted it seems.

here is a little problem with that - it is impossible to observe as parents are not allowed to come upstairs to pick up kids citing safely concerns ... how do parents get around this and instill some parental supervision of the after school activities

By coming to school when they're out on the playground. By talking to parents of older children who are old enough to report accurately what's going on.

But really, listen, OP-- if you go at it with this aggrieved tone and make a huge deal over small things, other parents won't want to join with you. They'll think your approach is not productive and that you're just kinda weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly are the “ safety concerns” OP?

well, the kids are wondering around and anyone can get through the front door -one ring the gaurd opens to everyone has an easy acess to kids- we cannot pretend that school shootings do not happen.

Perhaps they did “spare the children a moment to collect their belongings” — prior to and in the process of getting them ready to be picked up as scheduled.

again I arrived 15 minutes BEFORE

Were you expecting the teachers to wait until someone arrived for each kid to begin this process?
yes the same if I were to pick my child at 5:00pm


“Poor kids”? Really? In any case, If you can’t “physically accommodate their expectations “ — which, as far as I can tell, are about picking up your kid on time, then perhaps this particular program won’t work well for you. And, yes, this is normal. The teachers probably are eager to leave. Just like you, they have scheduled responsibilities and appointments.

Well, as I am told the aftercare should run till 6:00 the teachers should not have any expectations to leave before 6.

Right, they want to leave at 6. Not after you show up at and it takes a while for you to collect your kid's stuff and get him out of there. Actual 6. Because they are busy just like you.

What are talking about grabbing little jacket, hat and backpack and walking him takes at most 2 minutes. When I pick my child early -I never wait more than 5 minutes, They do not have to dress my child and they are free to leave as soon my child is in my reach. I can dress my child . They do it to hurt my child and send me a message

How does it hurt your child to be... dressed in his clothes? This is truly weird.

15 minutes in the winter jacket indoors with theater running - overheating , skin rash, to name a few

Overheating and getting a skin rash?! Is this a newborn?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly are the “ safety concerns” OP?

well, the kids are wondering around and anyone can get through the front door -one ring the gaurd opens to everyone has an easy acess to kids- we cannot pretend that school shootings do not happen.

Perhaps they did “spare the children a moment to collect their belongings” — prior to and in the process of getting them ready to be picked up as scheduled.

again I arrived 15 minutes BEFORE

Were you expecting the teachers to wait until someone arrived for each kid to begin this process?
yes the same if I were to pick my child at 5:00pm


“Poor kids”? Really? In any case, If you can’t “physically accommodate their expectations “ — which, as far as I can tell, are about picking up your kid on time, then perhaps this particular program won’t work well for you. And, yes, this is normal. The teachers probably are eager to leave. Just like you, they have scheduled responsibilities and appointments.

Well, as I am told the aftercare should run till 6:00 the teachers should not have any expectations to leave before 6.

Right, they want to leave at 6. Not after you show up at and it takes a while for you to collect your kid's stuff and get him out of there. Actual 6. Because they are busy just like you.

What are talking about grabbing little jacket, hat and backpack and walking him takes at most 2 minutes. When I pick my child early -I never wait more than 5 minutes, They do not have to dress my child and they are free to leave as soon my child is in my reach. I can dress my child . They do it to hurt my child and send me a message

How does it hurt your child to be... dressed in his clothes? This is truly weird.

15 minutes in the winter jacket indoors with theater running - overheating , skin rash, to name a few

Overheating and getting a skin rash?! Is this a newborn?

Seriously. Maybe if he's too hot he could, imagine this-- unzip his jacket or take off his hat!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to accept that the school has chosen one of the cheaper, and therefore crappier, aftercare providers. And therefore you'll be having an underwhelming experience. Still, the things you're complaining about are just not that big a deal. Oh, he was too warm for 15 minutes, oh nooooo! Oh your feelings are hurt because they dressed him! Come on. Our school has Flex and I can tell you far worse things Flex has done.

Like what? share please

But nobody makes a big deal of it because we all understand that you get what you pay for.

I did not choose- it is the only provider for the school

And +1 to PP who said it's 2 minutes for one adult to dress one child, but it's far more than that when two adults are dressing many children.

at 3 a child can put on the jacket and a hat by himself. 2 minutes if my child is coloring and put out his water bottle somewhere that needs to be collected

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly are the “ safety concerns” OP?

well, the kids are wondering around and anyone can get through the front door -one ring the gaurd opens to everyone has an easy acess to kids- we cannot pretend that school shootings do not happen.

Perhaps they did “spare the children a moment to collect their belongings” — prior to and in the process of getting them ready to be picked up as scheduled.

again I arrived 15 minutes BEFORE

Were you expecting the teachers to wait until someone arrived for each kid to begin this process?
yes the same if I were to pick my child at 5:00pm


“Poor kids”? Really? In any case, If you can’t “physically accommodate their expectations “ — which, as far as I can tell, are about picking up your kid on time, then perhaps this particular program won’t work well for you. And, yes, this is normal. The teachers probably are eager to leave. Just like you, they have scheduled responsibilities and appointments.

Well, as I am told the aftercare should run till 6:00 the teachers should not have any expectations to leave before 6.

Right, they want to leave at 6. Not after you show up at and it takes a while for you to collect your kid's stuff and get him out of there. Actual 6. Because they are busy just like you.

What are talking about grabbing little jacket, hat and backpack and walking him takes at most 2 minutes. When I pick my child early -I never wait more than 5 minutes, They do not have to dress my child and they are free to leave as soon my child is in my reach. I can dress my child . They do it to hurt my child and send me a message

How does it hurt your child to be... dressed in his clothes? This is truly weird.

15 minutes in the winter jacket indoors with theater running - overheating , skin rash, to name a few

Overheating and getting a skin rash?! Is this a newborn?

Seriously. Maybe if he's too hot he could, imagine this-- unzip his jacket or take off his hat!

apprently he was not allowed - also of out spite -would not save them any time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly are the “ safety concerns” OP?

well, the kids are wondering around and anyone can get through the front door -one ring the gaurd opens to everyone has an easy acess to kids- we cannot pretend that school shootings do not happen.

Perhaps they did “spare the children a moment to collect their belongings” — prior to and in the process of getting them ready to be picked up as scheduled.

again I arrived 15 minutes BEFORE

Were you expecting the teachers to wait until someone arrived for each kid to begin this process?
yes the same if I were to pick my child at 5:00pm


“Poor kids”? Really? In any case, If you can’t “physically accommodate their expectations “ — which, as far as I can tell, are about picking up your kid on time, then perhaps this particular program won’t work well for you. And, yes, this is normal. The teachers probably are eager to leave. Just like you, they have scheduled responsibilities and appointments.

Well, as I am told the aftercare should run till 6:00 the teachers should not have any expectations to leave before 6.

Right, they want to leave at 6. Not after you show up at and it takes a while for you to collect your kid's stuff and get him out of there. Actual 6. Because they are busy just like you.

What are talking about grabbing little jacket, hat and backpack and walking him takes at most 2 minutes. When I pick my child early -I never wait more than 5 minutes, They do not have to dress my child and they are free to leave as soon my child is in my reach. I can dress my child . They do it to hurt my child and send me a message

Then perhaps you can tell the teachers that you will arrive consistently by 5:45, and that you will dress your child yourself. And then you need to do it — so that you and your child actually leave by 6. Keep in mind though, that this might be confusing for your child if the other remaining kids are getting ready to go home while your child is not.

what are you taking about? it is confusing for my child to sit in the winter coat indoors fore 15 minutes

Keep in mind too that if the group activity for all of the other kids involves getting ready to leave, your child will probably have to wait while this is happening, unless you’ve already come early to get him ready to leave yourself. Keep in mind also that your “at most 2 minutes” might play out differently for teachers working with multiple kids.

what activity? putting the coat and a hat which most kids do on their own


- Really? How is it “confusing “ for your child — along with his classmates— to put on his coat, gather his things, and wait to be picked up? It sounds like a routine, and one that might even make it easier for some kids and their parents. Again, you also have the option of getting there early enough, consistently, to handle these things yourself.

- And, yes, scheduling a set amount of time for the kids to put on their coats and getting their things together — transitioning from school to being picked up — actually is an activity. It supports the development of quite a few pro-social skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly are the “ safety concerns” OP?

well, the kids are wondering around and anyone can get through the front door -one ring the gaurd opens to everyone has an easy acess to kids- we cannot pretend that school shootings do not happen.

Perhaps they did “spare the children a moment to collect their belongings” — prior to and in the process of getting them ready to be picked up as scheduled.

again I arrived 15 minutes BEFORE

Were you expecting the teachers to wait until someone arrived for each kid to begin this process?
yes the same if I were to pick my child at 5:00pm


“Poor kids”? Really? In any case, If you can’t “physically accommodate their expectations “ — which, as far as I can tell, are about picking up your kid on time, then perhaps this particular program won’t work well for you. And, yes, this is normal. The teachers probably are eager to leave. Just like you, they have scheduled responsibilities and appointments.

Well, as I am told the aftercare should run till 6:00 the teachers should not have any expectations to leave before 6.

Right, they want to leave at 6. Not after you show up at and it takes a while for you to collect your kid's stuff and get him out of there. Actual 6. Because they are busy just like you.

What are talking about grabbing little jacket, hat and backpack and walking him takes at most 2 minutes. When I pick my child early -I never wait more than 5 minutes, They do not have to dress my child and they are free to leave as soon my child is in my reach. I can dress my child . They do it to hurt my child and send me a message

How does it hurt your child to be... dressed in his clothes? This is truly weird.

15 minutes in the winter jacket indoors with theater running - overheating , skin rash, to name a few

Overheating and getting a skin rash?! Is this a newborn?

he has a sensitive skin - not quite uncommon

[Anonymous]

The classrooms must be sanitized/ lysol sprayed when all kids are out of the room. This means if there are 3 classrooms, 3 teachers have to spray their rooms WITHOUT the kids inside their classrooms.
So, those last 10/15 mins they gather the children with all of their belongings and bring them to a common classroom in the front while each teacher goes and spray. Then one teacher who is assigned, goes to check the whole school for the night; all classroom door closed etc Some quickly restock their rooms grabbing items while on way getting their own jackets from class rooms etc
The last 5 minutes some teachers dress up the kids in their coats.
Once the kids leave, the teachers then sign out and leave. AT WHICHEVER time the center closes, they do not / should not have to wait for you once center closes time comes;
(even if the teacher has nothing to do after)
which they would have to do if several parents come in 5 mins before.
Usually kids are in the book area of a classroom to entertain themselves.

Please pick your battles for a better reason, than child sitting dressed to leave at almost closing time.

signed
a preschool teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly are the “ safety concerns” OP?

well, the kids are wondering around and anyone can get through the front door -one ring the gaurd opens to everyone has an easy acess to kids- we cannot pretend that school shootings do not happen.

Perhaps they did “spare the children a moment to collect their belongings” — prior to and in the process of getting them ready to be picked up as scheduled.

again I arrived 15 minutes BEFORE

Were you expecting the teachers to wait until someone arrived for each kid to begin this process?
yes the same if I were to pick my child at 5:00pm


“Poor kids”? Really? In any case, If you can’t “physically accommodate their expectations “ — which, as far as I can tell, are about picking up your kid on time, then perhaps this particular program won’t work well for you. And, yes, this is normal. The teachers probably are eager to leave. Just like you, they have scheduled responsibilities and appointments.

Well, as I am told the aftercare should run till 6:00 the teachers should not have any expectations to leave before 6.

Right, they want to leave at 6. Not after you show up at and it takes a while for you to collect your kid's stuff and get him out of there. Actual 6. Because they are busy just like you.

What are talking about grabbing little jacket, hat and backpack and walking him takes at most 2 minutes. When I pick my child early -I never wait more than 5 minutes, They do not have to dress my child and they are free to leave as soon my child is in my reach. I can dress my child . They do it to hurt my child and send me a message

How does it hurt your child to be... dressed in his clothes? This is truly weird.

15 minutes in the winter jacket indoors with theater running - overheating , skin rash, to name a few

Overheating and getting a skin rash?! Is this a newborn?

Seriously. Maybe if he's too hot he could, imagine this-- unzip his jacket or take off his hat!

apprently he was not allowed - also of out spite -would not save them any time

Wait, why would there be any need for spite? I do not get what's making you take this so personally and I guarantee you will get nowhere with this approach because it's off-putting to staff and to other parents.