Drop off & Pick up at Daycare Centre

Up until now, our girls have been cared for in our home either by me, my DH, my Mom or our Nanny (who came 2 days per week). The girls are now 18 months old and will be going to a daycare centre 2 days per week. I will be the one who drops them off and picks them up and I am not sure how I am going to do it. The daycare is on a very busy road so I am afraid to bring them out of the car together as one may run off (they are pretty good at staying close by but I just don't want the one time for them not to listen to me to be near that busy road).

Dropping off is in the main room of the center (main floor). Picking up is in the back, fenced yard where they are playing until they get picked up (weather permitting).

Do I put one in the car, then lock the car then go get the other? Do I bring one of the umbrella strollers and walk with one and put the other one in there?

Any ideas? What do you do?

Thanks!

 

Mine were almost two when they started in daycare. It is on a busy road, but the road is so far away from where we park that they'd never make it all that way before I caught them. But there are lots of cars coming through the parking lot so we do have to be careful (DH normally drops off and I pick up).

Mine listen pretty well, we tell them touch the car or touch our pants to keep them by us.

I would actually not bother with the stroller, I'd use my harnesses. We have two of the puppy backpack style from Walmart. They are much less hassle than getting out the stroller. The only problem you'll probably run into is that they'll want to keep the backpack on (at least I know mine would)!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4837494

 

Can you park on a side street so it would be safer for them to walk? Otherwise, I'd probably bring the stroller in.

Mine go to a home day care and I'm able to pull up right in front of her door. Sometimes, I'll let them walk out and other times the provider will carry one out for me.

 

Our daycare center is right on the highway!!!!
We started going where when they were 11 months.
A staff member always 1) met me at the car (there is a door man at the gate who let them know when I pulled in) and helped me carry one, and 2)carried one to the car for me. Sometime after two (don't remember when) we stopped doing that because they were able to walk fine.

Now I always unbuckle one on her side, but don't get her out of the car, then go around to the other side and unbuckle the other and get them both out of the car on that side. I also trained them to keep their hand on the car while I'm unlocking so they don't step away from it.

 

Tell your concerns to the staff. Usually they will have a floater or someone that can help you. One thing our preschool started this year for moms that need help is a special drive thru lane. It was mainly set up for moms that have a baby in the car that needs to be watched while taking in the older child. The staff watches the baby while the mom goes in. I thought this was a great idea! They are also out there to help anyone who may need an extra hand bringing in their kiddos.

 

QUOTE
Now I always unbuckle one on her side, but don't get her out of the car, then go around to the other side and unbuckle the other and get them both out of the car on that side. I also trained them to keep their hand on the car while I'm unlocking so they don't step away from it.


This is what we do. My girls started just before they turned two. If one was being a problem, I unbuckled her - went & got the other one out (holding her hand), picked the other one up & carried her. So, I was carrying one & holding one's hand. I wouldn't mess with a stroller, but the harnesses are handy (though I never used one for daycare drop-off). I've also kept one between me & the car, while getting her sister out.

Looking back, I only used my stroller a few times - and that's when it was snowy/icy out, and I was afraid of them going across the parking lot. It was a PAIN, but IMO necessary for the few days we used it.

 

I don't usually have a problem getting them out of the car. I unbuckle one and take her out and have her stand next to me at the car while unbuckle and take the other one out. We all walk to the front door together. Now, getting in the car when we leave is another story. We go to the front door and I ask if they see the car then I tell them we are going to walk straight to the car. I open the door and they usually bolt out the door. One will usually go to the car door and wait, but the other will run around to the other side out of my view. I set the one in the car and then I go chase the other one down and put her in the car. Then I go back around and get the first one and buckle her in and then repeat with the other one. They seem to have learned that the first one in the car gets to roam freely while I get the other buckled in her seat so they have actually become more manageable and easier to get in the car. Getting them in their own seats is a whole other story! Fortunately, our day care center has a covered drive-thru area and I am usually able to park right next to the front door so it isn't that big of deal.

 

HI there!
Mine haven't started day care yet but I was thinking when we do I'd bring them in their red wagon and maybe they'll have a spot where I can store it until pick up?????
Good luck with whatever you choose to do!!
Lanie

 

I started my twins at 18 months as well. We can pull up to the curb that goes around the daycare center. The first thing I do is put the backpack with all their stuff on. Then I get one out and bring her around to the other side. Since we have a van, I can stand her inside the car on the floor while I get #2 out. When they're both out, I tell them to go to the curb (sidewalk) and follow them. They always do. Then we all march (too much Barney) on the sidewalk to the front door. Routine is the key.

When we leave, I take them my the hand and do the reverse. We've never had a problem, they're almost 2 and have been following the routine for 6 months.

If I can't carry something like sleeping bags on the way out, one of the staff usually helps.

Good luck - it's daunting at first - especially in the pouring rain or snow.

 

I make them touch the car, whoever is left waiting. Then, I'll carry one in the door and make the other hold my hand and walk in. I'm 7 months pregnant and have been managing on my own for awhile now. I don't let them both walk simply becuase it would take all day and I have to get to work, otherwise I'd make them both hold my hands and just walk in with them. No stroller or harness required.

 

Our daycare is also on a busy road. I get Jazz out (behind the driver) then take her around and get Jessy out while keeping Jazz pinned between me and the car. I then either make both them hold my hands or I carry one and hold the others hand