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Pout 03:44 PM 04-03-2012
Hi everyone!

I have my first interview on Friday and I'm feeling kinda nervous about it. Can anyone give me some advice on how I should conduct it? Are there certain guidelines I should do from start to finish? A certain order I should do things in? Certain questions I should ask? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
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Michael 03:54 PM 04-03-2012
Some good interview info here: https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...ew+-+checklist

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...ew+-+questions
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frugalmama4 04:10 PM 04-03-2012
I may not be much help as I'm also trying to reinvent the wheel (so speak).
What I currently do is the tour first-

1). Stop at the parents board
2). Show the cubby location
3). Point out the sign in/out log
4A).Meet and greet my family (kids are usually at the front door anyway)
4B). Walk through the "daycare room (my whole down stairs is used for DC but I have my dinning room set up like a class room/play room). Show them some of the pre-school work you do with the kiddos. I would have kid art work up too.
5). Check out the DC bathroom
6).Check out the nap area (my office also)

Then back to the kitchen table to talk business-

1). Show them my permit/ID/Training's certification etc (I have it in a binder)
2). Show the child to care givers ratio chart (from the states handbook)
3A). I will ask then to fill out an interview questionnaire(for my records)
3B). Pull out the parent handbook(I'm no longer giving this out during interviews/only after enrolling) I will highlight the high points
4). Go over the handbook
5). Allow them to ask questions

Be sure to give them some business cards to past around and keep for themselves.

Most of these ideals I got from previous threads...try search some of the tags I added below.

Good Luck!
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frugalmama4 04:11 PM 04-03-2012
Oh, look Michael beat me to the tags...but I added two more
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Pout 04:40 PM 04-03-2012
Thanks Frugal, that's very helpful!
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renodeb 06:15 PM 04-03-2012
Thats exciting. There are no hard and fast rules about interviewing a family. I usually show them around first, pointing out the sign in book, back yard, playroom. Most likely they will ask questions which is a great way to sustain a conversation. Maybe run through the interview in your head.
I always have an info pack(rates, sample menu, daily schedule, references or an enrollment pack (depending on how it goes) ready to hand them.
Good luck!
Debbie
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Meeko 06:58 PM 04-03-2012
I greet at the door and introduce myself. (I only interview after hours) I tell them "Let me start showing you around. If any questions pop into your mind, please ask me!" I then start explaining our different areas etc. They usually relax and ask questions and so do I.

Once we have strolled through the day care we THEN sit down and continue talking.

I find this so much easier than inviting a stranger in , having them sit down immediately.... feels very awkward!

The most important thing is to be confident. Confident in your policies and your program.

If someone doesn't like something.......they can look elsewhere to find what they want. It is not a reflection on you if they don't decide to buy your services. I wish someone had told me that when I first started..... that I didn't have take the first person who came along and I didn't have to bend my rules to make it more convenient for them. I ended up getting resentful and frustrated.

YOU are your boss. They are NOT employing you. You are offering them a service. They can purchase A, B and C.

They do not get to decide to have half of A, plus D and E. You don't sell that.

Good luck! It will get easier every time! HUGS!
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Pout 08:55 PM 04-03-2012
Renodeb and meeko, thank you so much!!! I am not nearly as nervous about it now! Very helpful advice! I'm definitely going to do a practice interview or two on my husband! The interview is on Friday, do you think it would be a good idea to send the parent an email the day before and touch base to make sure it's still on?
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CheekyChick 09:07 AM 04-04-2012
This is what I do...

1. I greet them at the door, go over names, and gush about how cute their child is.

2. I give them a tour of the entire facitlity and show them the playground.

3. I ask them to take a seat at my desk (I have a chair out for both mommy/daddy).

4. I tell them that I am going to ask them a few questions and start writing notes on my interview worksheet.

5. After I have all the information I need, I ask them if they have any questions for me (some don't have a single question and some have a list).

6. Upon leaving, I give them a Parent Handbook and a few other random sheets in a little folder.

7. I tell them that I am interviewing other families for the open spot and will make a decision by XX date. I usually get an e-mail within one hour from the families who REALLY want the spot.

8. I walk them to the door, gush about their child a bit more and say goodbye.

Once you do this a few times, it will become like second nature. You will do GREAT!!!

PS: If the family has a baby, I normally ask to hold the baby. If they have a toddler, I try to interact with the toddler as much as possible. I also let the toddler pick a toy from the treasure chest on the way out. 9 times out of 10, the toddler will cry and NOT want to leave.
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daycare 09:14 AM 04-04-2012
If someone doesn't like something.......they can look elsewhere to find what they want. It is not a reflection on you if they don't decide to buy your services. I wish someone had told me that when I first started..... that I didn't have take the first person who came along and I didn't have to bend my rules to make it more convenient for them. I ended up getting resentful and frustrated.

All of what she said!!!

here is my advice...

Never offer "Special"
Never change your rules, hours of operations or prices for anyone!
Follow your PHB to the T
Dont let them walk all over you. YOu are offering a service and it just might not be what they need, but I promise you it will be what someone needs....
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KBCsMommy 09:18 AM 04-04-2012
Pout- I would just like to tell you to never sign a family on the spot!! Think it over first. And don't call the family back. If they like you and the feeling is mutual they will contact you within a few days!! Good luck!!
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jacksonvillecare 09:53 AM 04-04-2012
Cheekychick--Do you tell them you are interviewing other families even if you aren't?? Or do you always interview multiple families before filling a spot??
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CheekyChick 01:28 PM 04-04-2012
Originally Posted by jacksonvillecare:
Cheekychick--Do you tell them you are interviewing other families even if you aren't?? Or do you always interview multiple families before filling a spot??
No...

When I have an opening, I usually interview 3 to 5 families for the spot and I book them one hour apart. They usually take the entire hour and pass each other on the way in/out. That's actually a good thing (for me) because if they really like my daycare, it will make them want the open space that much more.
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MOMOF3BOYZ 07:31 PM 04-04-2012
i have a question? can someone give me an example of a handbook? i dont have one and dont know what i should put in the phb. i only have a contract
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Pout 10:16 PM 04-04-2012
Thanks everyone!!! I would also like an example of a parent handbook. Would that be the forms they need to sign? I was planning on giving them a folder with the contract, the paper work that needs to be filled out by them, the daily schedule and the weekly menu. Is that good?
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frugalmama4 11:31 PM 04-04-2012
So your still up? LoL Me too pulling a all nighter

I think I'm done for now with my handbook...so tired of second guesting myself...I have sat here and convince myself that I no longer like my name .

I will start a new thread and post my handbook there hopefully the season vet's don't shred me to pieces.

And remember if your thinking it now...some one has already thought over it and posted it....do a tag search. I found a lot of helpfully information on phb's.

Oh, and get so sleep...I'm done fried/cooked/baked
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Pout 10:32 AM 04-05-2012
Lol Frugal, I know just what you mean. I've been second guessing myself lately too! I'll definitely look up some threads about phb's!And i'll be sure to check out your thread when it's posted!! There so much helpful info on this forum! So how are you feeling today after your all nighter?!
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frugalmama4 01:45 PM 04-05-2012
Oh I was good up until 1:00 this afternoon, I started feeling the burn

I can't wait til the hubby drives up at 4:30...I'm running up stairs off to bed I go.

Who needs a shower

I tagged my post under handbooks, you should find it once you start searching.

Good Luck!
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Pout 09:51 PM 04-05-2012
Thanks frugal! I hope you have a very good night (well, day/night, lol) sleep!! I'm going to look for your thread right now
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EntropyControlSpecialist 05:30 AM 04-06-2012
Originally Posted by Meeko:
I greet at the door and introduce myself. (I only interview after hours) I tell them "Let me start showing you around. If any questions pop into your mind, please ask me!" I then start explaining our different areas etc. They usually relax and ask questions and so do I.

Once we have strolled through the day care we THEN sit down and continue talking.

I find this so much easier than inviting a stranger in , having them sit down immediately.... feels very awkward!

The most important thing is to be confident. Confident in your policies and your program.

If someone doesn't like something.......they can look elsewhere to find what they want. It is not a reflection on you if they don't decide to buy your services. I wish someone had told me that when I first started..... that I didn't have take the first person who came along and I didn't have to bend my rules to make it more convenient for them. I ended up getting resentful and frustrated.

YOU are your boss. They are NOT employing you. You are offering them a service. They can purchase A, B and C.

They do not get to decide to have half of A, plus D and E. You don't sell that.

Good luck! It will get easier every time! HUGS!
That was very helpful for me to read.
I have gotten a few people this week who wanted A, D & E when I don't even offer a D & E. I already offer three Preschool options, but it seems as though there are some parents that need it even more customized (which I really cannot do).
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EntropyControlSpecialist 05:34 AM 04-06-2012
Originally Posted by Pout:
Thanks everyone!!! I would also like an example of a parent handbook. Would that be the forms they need to sign? I was planning on giving them a folder with the contract, the paper work that needs to be filled out by them, the daily schedule and the weekly menu. Is that good?
My Parent Handbook is 9 pages long.
The parents have to fill out an Enrollment Form, Assessment about their child (allergies, comforting techniques the child prefers, likes/dislikes, etc.), a paper stating that they read and are held accountable for abiding by the Parent Handbook, signature on my guidance and discipline policy, Statement of Health form, and an Agreement form.

Your folder idea is good.
I provide my parents with a folder that contains a welcome letter and the Parent Handbook in the actual brads, and the paperwork that needs to be filled out and returned in the left pocket.
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Tags:first interview, interview, interview - checklist, interview - questions
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