To complete to the manager

[Rosebel]

My son only does 2 1/2 days at nursery so I pick him up after lunch. I'm always there on time but am getting increasingly pissed off with how late they bring my son out.
We're not allowed in to the nursery so wait at the door. Today they were late bringing all the kids out but brought out children who's parents had arrived after m8.
Twenty five minutes after his pick up time they brought my son out, claiming he'd still been eating.
Firstly if he was still eating then clearly lunch needs to be earlier.
Secondly why were all the other children finished and brought out before mine
Thirdly, this is not their fault but I start work very early so by lunchtime I'm shattered and also longing to see my son as I don't see him in the morning.
Would it be unreasonable to contact the manager about waiting over 20 minutes for my son to come out of nursery?
I'm just thinking how they'd react if I didn't bother to turn up until 25 minutes after pick up time. I'd probably get charged extra.

Would you prefer them to interrupt his lunch and bring him out as soon as you arrive? If so tell them that and that you'll just feed him at home instead. The other children obviously just eat faster, they can't help that.

They brought him out late because he was eating, maybe he eats slow at nursery because he’s distracted by all the kids etc. What do you want them to do, take his lunch off him? They are there to take care of his needs, not yours.

They should have communicated better but I think going to the manager about this is a bit much.

Hi, I work in a nursery. I would assume that those children were brought out before yours because they finished their lunch before him..at my nursery the children leave the table when they're finished because they all eat at a different speed. What time do you pick him up? We always have the children sorted to go ready for their parents coming, I do think it's not on that you're waiting that long and to be honest I'm surprised the staff haven't mentioned it to you. You're right that if you were late you would be charged.

5 or 10 minutes I wouldn't mind but 25 minutes is a lot. He doesn't feed himself yet and I really do understand they are busy but it's a long time just being stood there.
Maybe I should ask to pick up at 12 and give him lunch at home.

25 minutes is a long time to wait. What if it had been chucking it down with rain. I'd just say that you can't wait for that long and could they just bring him out and you'll feed him at home.

I wouldn't fancy waiting 25 minutes after being at work either, I don't think it's unreasonable to try and come to an agreement. I'd speak to them and say I understand he often takes a while to eat but it's not ideal to just be waiting outside for nearly half an hour.

If it was vice versa like you said there would be a problem. What if you had to go and pick another child up from school you couldn't afford to be waiting that long. I'd mention it in a nice way to try and arrange something that works for everyone

I work in a nursery and the first pick up time is 1hr after lunch starts (lunch at 12 pick up at 1pm onwards). Speak to the staff/key person and discuss the situation with other them and see what they think is best too- you don’t need to go straight to the manager at this stage

You would be right to mention it to the manager - that's too long to wait. But....

• babies can't tell the time. Although the staff will have a schedule, of times when things should happen - nappy changes, playtime, stories, bottles, walk, naps, garden, activity, lunch, etc sometimes stuff happens unpredictably - like two babies do random sudden poops - which means a staff member has to attend to them, rather than ensuring the babies going home are ready. You need to understand the pressures in the room. However, 25mins is unacceptable, and does suggest the staff are struggling to be organized and efficient, so a word with the manager might sort it.

I’d politely speak to them to ask if you are picking him up too close to lunch time etc. I only picked up my child once when they were still eating and I was told at the door so went to sit in the car for 10mins- these things happen.

Like I said waiting 5 to 10 minutes is okay but longer than that and certainly 25 minutes is a bit much.
I think pick up is 45 minutes after lunch (lunch at 12 and pick up at 12:45)and I thought it was a bit tight on timing as a lot of other nurseries do pick up at 1.
Funnily enough when he started earlier this year it was only ever a 5 minute wait so not sure what's changed.
I'll double check pick up time today (although I'm sure it's 12:45 as other parents arrive about then) and might have a word with his key worker.
Hate being seen as that parent though.

I don’t think you’re that parent if you phrase it well and in a relaxed manner

I wouldn't be happy waiting that long!

How old is your baby? If old enough they may be letting him start to self feed and it is taking longer, he may need a lot of cleaning up if this is the case. He may have done a poo and need a nappy change or a change of clothes straight after eating. Talk to your nursery and they may be able to explain.

The 12.45 pick up when lunch is at 12 seems very quick though.

Are the children coming out sooner older?

Having the same issue, thank you for raising this.

Sorry but I think you are being a bit unreasonable here. I doubt they are monitoring who got there first and I am sure most parents are equally as desperate to see their children and just as tired. Yes 25 mins is an unusually long time but if this is a one off then let it go. It probably is literally what others have said - your ds was still eating and finished after the other children.

My son's nursery does lunch around 11/1130. Then nap time for the kids that are there all day. Means pickup between 12:30- 1 is managed efficiently.
Bizarre that you still have to wait outside though.

Same again today. Another 20 minute wait. He's moving to toddlers next week so I'm going to wait and see what happens
Apparently some of the staff aren't jabbed or have only had one jab so we still wait outside.
I didn't mind except it's bloody cold now.

He’s moving to toddlers and he can’t feed himself?
Why not?
Maybe he is feeding himself but is slower than the others so takes longer

He was born early and has some development delay so is behind on where he should be but hopefully will catch up before school age.