So I have an interview coming up, for a newborn(wont start until the end of June). Dcm asked in her reply today if it would be OK to bring her husband and the baby's 18m old sibiling, which is fine. She said the 18m old attends another home daycare that won't have space in the summer for the baby.
So now I'm left thinking, wait, do you plan to switch her as soon as your 18m old's daycare has space? Because I'd rather not take that on. I don't have space for a sibling right now and don't anticipate one anytime soon.
Is it appropriate to ask what her plan is, if care would just be for the summer etc? I'm hessitating a bit here...I love the age, dcm seems great, good hours, really it sounded perfect until the mention of a sibling in other care :/

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I would ask mom flat out, before I did the interview.

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Agreed. It sounds like she's thinking of something more temporary.

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It happened to me . Mom insisted she would eventually move the younger sibling over to me but instead after 4 months she moved her child that was with me back to the previous provider. I did not see it coming and was pretty annoyed but what can you do...it's business. What was really crappy though is that I only took her son because I wanted the daughter who was close to my daughters age.

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I don't see anything wrong with asking. In my enrollment application I have parents fill out before the interview, I ask are they looking for temporary or permanent care.

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I would ask... but I really don't think you're going to get an honest answer.

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You absolutely won't. I flat out asked my client if she was really planning to move her daughter and she lied right to my face.

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I agree with this.

I would ask but plan that it will probably be temporary. If you are ok with temp I would go ahead. If you want permanent, then I would keep looking.

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Yeah, I suspect even with asking I won't get an honest answer. Debating the temporary care thing. I hate advertising so much in the same places because it appears like I have a high turnover when really, I've just had a lot of temporary situations lately. I'd like something more consistent. But then again it's like well, it gets me until fall most likely when enrollment always picks up. Ugh...I was really hopeful for this one too!

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I vote for this answer.

It could be a good business opportunity. She may decide to bring the other one to you, but be prepared for the other way around.

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I would ask mom what her intentions are.

On that note, I have two children who have siblings in other care.

Family 1: I have two brothers enrolled with me. The third sibling is in care elsewhere. It has been this way for almost about 1.5 years.

Family 2: DCB has been with me for almost 2 years. Infant brother is enrolled with another FCC in our area as she accepts infants and I do not.

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I would ask (and I mean ask "are you planning to switch to the other daycare when a spot opens up"...very specific questions) and if that is her plan, but you still want to take them, then you could always set the terms right off the bat. Like, make her commit to at least 3/6 months of care, or whatever amount works for you, and set what you charge (temporary care is more expensive) and see if she agrees. If she does, then you both go in knowing it is temporary and you make a little extra per month because of it, since you will have to re-interview and do new enrollment fairly soon, but you can always use that to your advantage and look for families who need care in that time frame, so it all over laps nicely. And you never know, she may come to you after a few months and want the other child to get a spot with you, so more income for you.

Of course, it is easier to just pass on them if you want someone long term right away, but if you flat out ask her and that is her plan, then you can set the terms so you benefit (financially or otherwise) and she will take them or she will find someone else and not tell them as much info

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I had a temporary interview for a little girl while her regular daycare was on maternity leave. She has been with me for 2 1/2 years now.

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