Mum shamed for picking up daughter ‘late’ from after school childcare

She pays for childcare until 6:30pm.

A woman has told of her confusion after she got told off by after school staff for picking her daughter up 'late' - despite the fact that they were always gone before closing. She explained that she had recently moved to a new before/after school childcare venue as she needed somewhere that was open until 6:30pm at least. The woman added that she lives in a rural area, and that her new location advertises itself as being the only place for childcare open past 6pm. And while she usually collects her daughter around 6pm, she admitted that it had occasionally been as late as 6:25pm. But the woman as left shocked when she got a "ticking off" from the manager, despite the fact that she always makes sure to get her daughter before close. The mum said that there was no need for a "catch up", as her daughter was near the end of primary school - so that the entire pickup process "takes no longer than two minutes maximum." She wrote on Mumsnet:

"Tonight I collected DD at 6pm and the manager took me aside to discuss my collection times. She said she wanted to remind me that her staff finish at 6.30pm as that is all they are paid until. "She said she has never had to consider introducing a 'late' fee before but might have to unless I'm more punctual. I double checked that their clock is the same time as my watch/phone clock. "I told her that me and DD were always out the door by 6.30pm. "She said that her staff report i didn't actually leave until 6.29pm the other night, and they ended up having to stay until 6.45pm to do all the last minute jobs they couldn't do while DD was there. "I said that I can't guarantee what time I'll get there each evening but can promise it will always be before 6.30pm. I reminded her that this is the reason i've put DD specifically into this childcare place - because i need care past 6pm. "The conversation ended rather awkwardly and she just said that all parents will be getting a letter next week about lateness/late fees. "Surely this is more of a managerial issue than a parent one? I pay for childcare up until 6.30pm. "But staff are sometimes having to stay until 6.45pm to do the jobs needing done after all children have left. She needs to extend their hours i would think. "I'm obviously going to be contesting any late fees added on to my bill since i'm always out of there by 6.30pm. "I might also suggest they do introduce a sign out book so it's documented what time i've collected DD. "I really need this place to work out as i absolutely do need childcare past 6pm some nights. Also, DD seems to really love it! "Any ideas what I can do, going forwards?"

The woman was quickly flooded with support by her fellow Mumsnet users, who branded the manager's attitude "bonkers". One person wrote:

"I'm a child minder. I effort my parents to pick up at our before the time they have booked for. "If they pay until 6pm then they don't need to pick their children up till 6pm. Anything else would be crazy! "You need to speak to them and clarify that you pay them to look after your DD until 6:30."

Someone else added:

"How bizarre! You should be allowed to be in the building collecting your dd until 6.30! "Definitely a case for an email to clarify."

Another commented:

"Then they need to sort out their advertising, decide exactly what time they offer childcare until and arrange their staff appropriately. "If you have paid until 6.30 you should be able to pick up at 6.30. Not your problem is staff are only paid till 6.30."