CMs - advice on wording.........

[looneytune]

I want to add a little bit to my handbook (and also mention in my newsletter) about children arriving after a certain time to be ready for the day (i.e. not needing hair doing, quick drink, breakfast, nappy change, cleaning etc. 5 mins before we are due to drive off the drive for the school run). I fully appreciate some parents find it hard to do everything before they drop off but my problem is that we HAVE to leave for school at X time and then on certain days we pretty much leave for group once we're back, I really don't think it's fair on the other children to have to wait around until I've got a child properly ready for the day. I have a set routine and don't mind doing things on occasion when I can but this leads to it being expected and then I'm asked on days when we're due to be out of the door at X time.

Any advice on wording this nicely but with getting the point across?

Hope you don't think I'm a cow, I just really don't have time sometimes and I can see it becoming more of a problem.

TIA :)

Hi Looney - I will be watching this with interest as since the beginning of school I have up to 8 children in a morning (including my own 2) which isn't a problem, but this week, one parent hurriedly mentioned that her DD hadn't had any breakfast so could I sort something out? (10 mins before school run), and another handed me a bag asking if I could just "quickly" put her hair up and brush her teeth as they hadn't had time before coming to me.

So I understand you are not a cow.

I say I need all childen to be here by 8:05 sharp if they need breakfast, otherwise by 8:30 at the latest. Children obviously need to be, washed, dressed and ready to go. If you are running late, please ring me to arrange to meet up later in the day either here or at one of our usual daytime venues.

If you are happy to feed them I'd say something similar. Otherwise maybe something like: May I just remind all parents that children must be with me by (whenever), washed, dressed, fed and ready to go out. If you are running late and will not be able to do this, please phone me to arrange to drop off later, either here or at one of our usual daytime destinations.

Forgot to say ...and you are definitely not a cow. You do have to nip these things in the bud.

Thanks guys, and thanks for not thinking I'm a cow :)

Children should arrive dressed for the day (babies in a clean nappy) and should have had breakfast as breakfast will only be served to children contracted to arrive before 8am. We set off for school/nursery at?? and therefore regret that I do not have time to deal with personal hygiene ie brushing hair, cleaning teeth or changing children out of their nightwear in the mornings. Please note:I will not be able to wait for late arrivals.

All my mindees are full day children as I do not do school runs. Unfortunately some parents have taken advantage of this in the past and I have had children arrive still in their pyjamas needing to be breakfasted. Admittedly, the parents did send the breakfast cereal and a yoghurt and not expect me to magic something out of thin air but I did think it was taking the p*ss.

Although I do not do school runs, I may be planning to got out promptly so I have put in my policies a section stating that children must arrive on time, ready to go straight out with clothing/coats/shoes/wellies etc. appropriate to the weather conditions.

That's great stomp, thanks :)

Millenium - I agree. It doesnt matter whether you have a school run or not, you have a 'routine' like everyone else and they should be respected. I did used to have a baby (then later their sibling) who arrived straight from bed and in growbags BUT they arrived at 6.45am so it was fine.