I get there 10 mins after school lets out when the line is already moving.

OP - I assume the school has been notified to send them to the car line today? If not, you need to call the school and let them know that.

This is more of a general question, but...if pick up lines are taking 15-30 mins, wouldn't it just make more sense/be faster to park somewhere in the vicinity and walk up to get your kid? Is that allowed? That's an option my kid's school.

The crazies are there over 1 hour early everyday. It's insane. I show up for thr car rider line 15 mins prior to dismissal time.

For our school's afternoon pickup (private) parents are there around 2:30pm for a 3pm pickup. When my DC attended public people lined up an hour before dismissal. It was crazy. I had to pick them up early a few times for various appointments and at a 2pm there were already 5-6 people in line (dismissal was at 3:15pm).

I go 10 minutes before dismissal, but agree that anywhere from 30 minutes before to 10 minutes after will be fine.

At my school the best times are thirty minutes before dismissal or five minutes before the cut-off. Worst time to arrive is five minutes before pickup. Cars will be wrapped around the block.

Co-sign on the 10 mins late. My FIL does pickup for my kids and he learned he can either arrive 2:45-3:15 and wait 20-30 minutes, or arrive at 3:30 and breeze right through (this school dismisses at 3:20, with kids needing to be picked up by 3:45 at the latest).

Also, people don't automatically know what SACC is. I didn't, but deduced it's an after school program?

It is often better to aim for 10 minutes late.. Just assure the kids that you are coming even if you are at the end of the line. Another option is...if the kids are old enough...tell the teacher they are walking and pick up a block away.

If you don't need to get them anywhere, just get to the school ten minutes or so AFTER school day ends.

Anonymous wrote:Why not ask your sister what time she gets in line to pick them up rather than ask the internet?

Why don’t you read before you answer? It says they normally attend SACC.

I’d call the school and ask. My kids attend different schools. One, they start lining up an hour before, the other has a better system and people start arriving five minutes before.

It depends on the school. I'd usually go 30 minutes to be at the front.

Why not ask your sister what time she gets in line to pick them up rather than ask the internet?

It's impossible for anyone to guess. Why don't you call the school?

Can anyone help a clueless aunt! I’m visiting/providing childcare for my convalescing sister. Today is the first day I’ll be picking them up from school (they usually attend SACC. NOT local/DC.) How early do parents typically start arriving in the pickup line? And what would be too early? I’ve been told the road backs up a quarter mile so I’d rather park in line and wait (I have a book and snacks!) than do the stop and go in the road. But I don’t want to look like a creeper! Thanks in advance!