Originally Posted by CityGarden:
Seeking your thoughts on a potential client....
TOUR
Potential DCM toured back in January / February shortly after her child was approx. 15 months old. The child was very young, into everything and mom had no control of the child. He was trying to put everything in his mouth, thrown things, hit her, etc. The child was intense and made the worse mess of any tour but I chopped it up to his age (and the parent not feeling responsible for his behavior). I did not hear from her and did not think much about it beyond that.
FOLLOW UP 5-6 MONTHS LATER
Last Friday mom sent me an email stating her son is almost 2 and wanted to secure a spot for him starting this November. On Monday I responded stating I currently do have a M/W/F spot available as she was seeking and informed her of our extended day rates as she requested. I also noted that we do not offer extended day on Fridays and have teacher meetings, etc. that day. (This would be a new policy and was not 100% set in stone but.... it's something I have been toying with since all my current clients that day pick up at 12:30pm and starting in September my own dd will be out of school at 1:00pm)
Mom responded:
I have to work 3 days a week. So you have any flexibility with the schedule? Would you be able to accommodate m/w/th schedule since I will need extended care on the days I work?
Also, would it be possible to observe the class while it's in session with my son? I can stop by for a little bit on Friday am if it's ok with you. It would help me make a final decision. Do you have an open door policy?
MY RANDOM THOUGHTS / CONCERNS- I do have 2 open M/W/F spots but I am not going to hold them open until November when the child is 2. I'm not even sure how I would handle that.
- My M/W/F group is boy heavy and I really wanted those two spots filled with girls. I would not deny the right boy but am marketing in girl heavy places (like the ballet studios).
- Pro for them is they are a minority that I did not currently have enrolled and I do value diversity.
- I am not going to allow M/W/TH as that cuts into my income, I could offer M/W/F with extended day included on Friday - especially since I was only toying with the idea of not offering extended care on Fridays but I would be doing so for just 1-2 "potential" children since all the others are picked up half day. Not sure it's worth it for 1-2 children.
Potential DCM did her initial tour after hours when children were not present which was how I did tours when I initially opened I now allow tours during the day at a certain time but I already have 2 tours on the books this week (one took place this morning - AMAZING FAMILY - and one on Thursday for 2 siblings together) and it does change the energy of my dcks so I will not do more than 2 a week.
What are your thoughts?
Would you allow this potential mom and her child to visit and observe your class? (If so I will not allow until next week at the earliest.)
What would you say to her regarding days / hours she wants? No one has asked me to alter my enrollment days.... and it did not rub me the right way but she does not likely know any better.
Perhaps I have my guard up for no reason but wanted to check in with you all. TIA.
I feel like this is a HMM (High Maintenance Mom).
No, I would not allow her to observe. If you want to conduct another tour during business hours then do that to see if HE would be a good fit now that he's getting older. Sounds like he wouldn't be, though.
No, I will not extend my hours for her (IF that is something you don't want to do/don't already do).
No, I would not change my schedule to be days that I don't offer. You said you have MWF. That's what is available.
No, I would not hold a spot open until November and lose income.
Keep holding out for some girls that are a better fit. I just said no to two poor fits and have a child enrolling who will be a GREAT fit. It was worth it.