What's the earliest you've had to drop your child off at daycare and what's the latest you've had to pick them up?

[Kyung]

My daycare is open 6:30 to 6:30, which is great for me when I have a long commute. But then I feel so guilty for her to have a such a long day.

I've dropped her off at daycare as early as 6:35. I've usually picked her up at 5:30ish. I've only been late once. I felt so bad. I thought I was going to make it, but traffic was impossible. Plus they charge you an arm and a leg.

[Michelle]

I'm so thankful that we don't have to use daycare at all. My parents and my grandparents both live locally so when myself or my husband need the help and support we have it, which is great considering I have two girls, Amelia who will be 6 on the 14th Jan and Matilda who will be 1 on the 13th Jan!!!

[Shelly Scott]

When she was in lower grades, the YMCA at my daughter's school had before-school and after-school care which was used sometimes. Fortunately my ex-husband lives in the same town so on the very rare very very early depos I've been able to drop her off at his house.

But in my first 5 years of reporting I remember many times my parents had to drive during rush hour from Tustin to CDM to get her from daycare when an LA depos ran long and then I had the 1.5-2 hour return commute. I used to hate that because she'd be almost asleep by the time I picked her up.

Now that we're on a week on/week off schedule, I only book early, late and long LA work on his week. It's had an impact on my pay, but in 3 more years she'll be getting herself to school.

The best arrangements are when you can arrange with another parent to take your daughter to school. I'm really glad that most depos start at 10:00 or 1:00 though :)

[Kyung]

I hear you. I'm sitting in traffic sweating bullets. Should I call my parents? Will I make it?

[Jena Macato]

I'm so greatful my mom moved back to town. She now watches all my kids for me when I work, so I have no worries. She will even take them to appointments for me, but I used to have to do daycare with my two older boys. The earliest I used to have to drop them off was 6:00 a.m. -- that's when our daycare opened. And I never had to leave them any later than 5:30, but on occasion when a mandatory after-work meeting was held or I had to go out of town for work, I would have a relative on standby. I'd usually notified them the night before and tell them if they do not hear from me by such and such time, please pick up my child and I'll call you when I'm on my way home. I did feel guilty when this happened, but it wasn't that often. And now I don't have to worry about it at all. You do what you gotta do. Your kid/kids will understand when they're older. Sometimes mine ask if they can go back to daycare. they miss the interaction with the other kids. : )