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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Maybe Next Week
Nickel 05:38 AM 08-16-2012
So dcg was suppose to start today. So last night i pulled all my toys scrubbed them down, sanitized them, and everything. I was up until about 1030 just getting everything ready. Then i got up at 6, took care of my dogs, crated them, and ran the vacuum through the whole house. Got ready, pulled out all my dc forms and sign in sheet. And at 715 i got a call that dcd mil wants to keep dcg for a few more days and she might start next week and he will call me tomorrow to confirm. Sigh. The cleaning was stuff i had to do anyway but i sorta had a feeling it was going to go this way. Honestly i dont think dcm is going to be happy anywhere she enrolls. But im really bummed. I was looking forward to taking my first child but it looks like it wont be today 
and if i had to guess id say probably not next week either. Does it get better?
and if i had to guess id say probably not next week either. Does it get better?
Lilbutterflie 06:22 AM 08-16-2012
Sorry you have had to wait! It does sound strange that the mom seems so wishy washy about the start date. Have you had them sign any paperwork yet? Have they given you a signed contract stating their start date, or have they given a deposit?
I recommend you have every client sign a contract (with a start date) and give a deposit prior to enrolling them. This way, you know they are serious about enrolling and you know they have a solid start date (that they are contractually obligated to start paying on such date).
I recommend you have every client sign a contract (with a start date) and give a deposit prior to enrolling them. This way, you know they are serious about enrolling and you know they have a solid start date (that they are contractually obligated to start paying on such date).
Nickel 06:37 AM 08-16-2012
I know I should have and I do have a contract. But they contacted me Tuesday because they needed care starting Thursday. So everything kind of went really fast. They didn't accept the spot until last night. So I was going to have them sign the contract when they came today. But for now I'm not really counting on them starting at all.
dcm had the baby enrolled at daycare. They took her but coudln't leave her there. Another baby was in a swing crying and mom just couldn't leave her there. So now they had to find someone else. So it all went really fast. I don't think dcm is going to be comfortable with anyone. I know the mother in law is watching her oldest son until he starts back at preschool in September at their church. The baby isn't old enough to start there. And I'm starting to think that mil is gong to continue watching the infant.
dcd said he'd call me tonight to let me know for definite. But I have this feeling that he's going to tell me nevermind.
It was funny because this morning I even told my husband. Watch, I'm going to get a call at 7:15 that they changed their mind. I'm just getting so discouraged that I will never get any kids. I've had my ads out there for over a month and seven interviews and basically no enrollments
I don't know what I am doing wrong but it is a huge blow to my ego. Then I had someone that wanted to start and I told them I had another family looking at the spot and I would let them know the next afternoon. So I called to offer them the spot and they had found someone else! That fast! I'm glad they found someone, but I'm realy starting to get discouraged.... sigh...
dcm had the baby enrolled at daycare. They took her but coudln't leave her there. Another baby was in a swing crying and mom just couldn't leave her there. So now they had to find someone else. So it all went really fast. I don't think dcm is going to be comfortable with anyone. I know the mother in law is watching her oldest son until he starts back at preschool in September at their church. The baby isn't old enough to start there. And I'm starting to think that mil is gong to continue watching the infant.
dcd said he'd call me tonight to let me know for definite. But I have this feeling that he's going to tell me nevermind.
It was funny because this morning I even told my husband. Watch, I'm going to get a call at 7:15 that they changed their mind. I'm just getting so discouraged that I will never get any kids. I've had my ads out there for over a month and seven interviews and basically no enrollments
I don't know what I am doing wrong but it is a huge blow to my ego. Then I had someone that wanted to start and I told them I had another family looking at the spot and I would let them know the next afternoon. So I called to offer them the spot and they had found someone else! That fast! I'm glad they found someone, but I'm realy starting to get discouraged.... sigh...
Lilbutterflie 07:01 AM 08-16-2012
Try not to get discouraged. It has been rough around here to fill spots with good clients for me, too.
One thing you could think about doing, is following up with those who interviewed but did not choose you. Send them an email telling them that in order to make your daycare the best it can be, you would like their feedback as to why they chose to go elsewhere. That way, you can understand the reasons you have had interviews with no success. And it will help you make improvements based on their feedback.
It definitely sounds like you may be right about this family. Nothing negative towards you, but if a family can get free care with a close family member, they will definitely take it! And it's really what is best, too!
Don't be discouraged, just keep putting yourself out there!! Clients will come!
One thing you could think about doing, is following up with those who interviewed but did not choose you. Send them an email telling them that in order to make your daycare the best it can be, you would like their feedback as to why they chose to go elsewhere. That way, you can understand the reasons you have had interviews with no success. And it will help you make improvements based on their feedback.
It definitely sounds like you may be right about this family. Nothing negative towards you, but if a family can get free care with a close family member, they will definitely take it! And it's really what is best, too!
Don't be discouraged, just keep putting yourself out there!! Clients will come!
Nickel 07:11 AM 08-16-2012
That's a good idea. Thanks. It's rather awkward for me but I guess I don't have anything to lose right! lol...
Thanks for the support. I will try to do that. Let's see how many of them answer
Thanks for the support. I will try to do that. Let's see how many of them answer
Blackcat31 07:29 AM 08-16-2012
Originally Posted by Nickel:
Then I had someone that wanted to start and I told them I had another family looking at the spot and I would let them know the next afternoon. So I called to offer them the spot and they had found someone else! That fast! I'm glad they found someone, but I'm realy starting to get discouraged.... sigh...
NEVER tell anyone that someone esle is looking for the spot. Interview if a family sounds promising. I interview even when I am full and have a wait list. You just never know what can or will happen (as you found out). Then I had someone that wanted to start and I told them I had another family looking at the spot and I would let them know the next afternoon. So I called to offer them the spot and they had found someone else! That fast! I'm glad they found someone, but I'm realy starting to get discouraged.... sigh...
Interview and and if you have two families looking at one spot and they are both a great fit, then it is whomever signs up and pays first that gets the space.
Hang in there and yes, it DOES get better. Daycare has it's highs and lows and clients come and go.
Keep advertsing and keep your chin up! When you are optimistic good things happen.
Positive attitude girl!
Nickel 07:35 AM 08-16-2012
Thanks, Black Cat
But what do you do if you have an interview, they want to start, but you have another interview tomorrow for the same spot? I really would have rathered the second family, but they backed out.
The first family called me back and said they wanted the spot. I told them I had one more interview and I would let them know a definite by the next day. I had already met mom of the first family. This was just for me to meet the children and see if it was a good fit. But then mom backed out. By then it was too late for me to get the first family.
So what do you do if they want the spot and you need to give them an answer right then but you aren't sure?
But what do you do if you have an interview, they want to start, but you have another interview tomorrow for the same spot? I really would have rathered the second family, but they backed out.
The first family called me back and said they wanted the spot. I told them I had one more interview and I would let them know a definite by the next day. I had already met mom of the first family. This was just for me to meet the children and see if it was a good fit. But then mom backed out. By then it was too late for me to get the first family.
So what do you do if they want the spot and you need to give them an answer right then but you aren't sure?
Blackcat31 07:48 AM 08-16-2012
Originally Posted by Nickel:
Thanks, Black Cat
But what do you do if you have an interview, they want to start, but you have another interview tomorrow for the same spot? I really would have rathered the second family, but they backed out.
The first family called me back and said they wanted the spot. I told them I had one more interview and I would let them know a definite by the next day. I had already met mom of the first family. This was just for me to meet the children and see if it was a good fit. But then mom backed out. By then it was too late for me to get the first family.
So what do you do if they want the spot and you need to give them an answer right then but you aren't sure?
NEVER EVER give an immediate answer. Every decision needs a 24 hour minimum wait period. This is not only for me to really think about it but for the family as well. I don't want clients that just take whatever there is out there and then not be happy. Thanks, Black Cat
But what do you do if you have an interview, they want to start, but you have another interview tomorrow for the same spot? I really would have rathered the second family, but they backed out.
The first family called me back and said they wanted the spot. I told them I had one more interview and I would let them know a definite by the next day. I had already met mom of the first family. This was just for me to meet the children and see if it was a good fit. But then mom backed out. By then it was too late for me to get the first family.
So what do you do if they want the spot and you need to give them an answer right then but you aren't sure?
Interview and say at the end, "Thank you for your time, I will call you tomorrow by *** P.M. and we can go from there."
If the family says they need to start immediately, I will say that I am sorry but I require BOTH provider and parent to have a 24 hour period so they can review what we talked about and make sure we are each making the right decision.
And in all honesty, when I first opened, I wasn't as strict about the perfect fit as much as I am now. I think your biggest priority is getting clients in right now much more than simply searching for that perfect client...kwim?
I wouldn't take a family with a million red flags, but if I really needed to fill spots, I would definitely consider taking a family with only a couple red flags.....just make sure the red flags are ones you can manange or maybe even change with time.
Your priorities at this point should be getting clients and and getting your name out there. You can be picky, just not as picky as someone who is really established or has been in the business for years and years.
I know that sounds kinda sucky, but I think that you learn a lot from the "not so perfect clients". They help hone your backbone, build your confidence levels and help you see what rules/policies really work for you and which ones don't.
Hope that makes sense and helps too.
ritah 11:56 AM 08-16-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
NEVER tell anyone that someone esle is looking for the spot.
Blackcat, Can you help me understand why you don't think this is a good idea? I've done it before and am now wondering if I shouldn't in the future. Thanks!NEVER tell anyone that someone esle is looking for the spot.
Blackcat31 12:04 PM 08-16-2012
Originally Posted by ritah:
Blackcat, Can you help me understand why you don't think this is a good idea? I've done it before and am now wondering if I shouldn't in the future. Thanks!
Personally I feel that it isn't a good idea because it forces people to make decisions based on pressure that they need to hurry or lose the spot. Blackcat, Can you help me understand why you don't think this is a good idea? I've done it before and am now wondering if I shouldn't in the future. Thanks!
I feel that it is important to build a relationship (potential or current client) individually and one person's relationship with me should never be based on anyone else's doings or interests.
If I have a spot open, I will interview until I find a good fit. I don't like to say "Oh, someone else might be interested in the space too so I can't give you a decision until next week." To me, that creates competition or an atmosphere that it is some how them vs someone else and that is usually (at least for me) never the case.
Being pressured to take a spot simply because someone else may be interested lends itself to bad, hasty or uneducated choices for both parent and/or provider. Does that make sense?
Sugar Magnolia 04:21 PM 08-17-2012
Everything happens for a reason. Maybe they were the wrong family for you. Best wishes to you. Chin up. The right families are out there, they just haven't found you yet.