I think my centre likes the kids to hae breakfast there as it gives the kids something to do before if they arrive earlier than the other kids in the group. My DS is only in nursery but is here get a feel for it. He has always been really happy to be dropped off and I took him for quite a few visits before the actually day he started so knew the ladies in his room really well.

We also get a book that gets brought home every day with notes and pics of what they have done during the day that I love (hubby collects)

I agree about the costs of late pick up. Some places have a very expensive pick up policy to discourage late pick ups.