I go through seasons where I have minimal interest in my program. I have an issue with worrying that this MIGHT happen during a time when I'm having a mass exodus out of my program (end of summer as they go into kinder). It hasn't before and I'm taming my worries.

However, I just had an interview for a spot for next fall. They will be filling out the enrollment form and leaving the enrollment fee to reserve it. There are also two younger siblings who will eventually join the program when they're old enough (it'll likely be one at a time due to ages).

I have another interview for next summer OR fall (when it becomes available first) at the end of this week.

Maybe I'm finally establishing a strong enough reputation that I can secure my upcoming spots 6-12 months in advance.

(Side note: STILL watching for red flags with parenting, the child being obedient to their parent(s), and finally providing a TRIAL PERIOD contact instead of a regular one for the first 2 weeks!)

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3 cheers for you! Happy to hear it!

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Can you tell me more about the bolded?

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My trial contract says the parents agreed to abide by the rules of my child care, and the child needs to transition well and be a part of the group. It also dictates financial responsibilities-parents pay two weeks, provider will not give refunds. After a successful completion of the two week trial, both parties need to sign a permanent contract. Outlines notice (I bumped mine to 4 weeks) etc.

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YAY for your program! I have been doing that for four years now. I am always interviewing and I ALWAYS line up infants/toddlers for future placement. I am full and have zero empty space turn over time. I have no openings (known anyway) until 2019.

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That is great! How do you know you will have the openings for Fall next year though? That is one thing that always gets me in this business. I could plan for the children who age out but then what if they leave much earlier due to loss of job or move, etc. I am going to try to replace immediately and then it may not be with a child who would age out as soon.

I always run into this with pregnant moms who want a spot - I never know what will happen so I can't commit so far in advance.

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I do NOT commit- I say estimated start date of X.

I know when kids are leaving for K. Those spaces I fill in advance. Typically with a younger child who will be of age at that time.

For all other spaces, I have a waiting list. They sign a separate form and I send a generic email monthly asking if they are all still interested in being on the waiting list to respond. If they want to opt out, let me know. When a space is available, I email them and if they are interested we set up a second interview.

It's a LOT more interviewing and paperwork up front but it is WELL worth the hassle. I have zero loss of income when a family leaves.

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Mine is really easy. If either party feels like it is not a good fit then either party can cancel the trial period contract at any point.
Refunds, for unused tuition and the enrollment fee (final two weeks tuition payment) ARE refunded. This is the ONLY time I refund anything.

I make sure I verbally state this and it's on the Trial Period Contract. I just began doing this because there are a couple of families I should've just said, "This just doesn't appear to be like a good fit." to in the beginning and been done. Terminating just seems to be a lot worse.

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I'm a preschool and pre-k program. I know that my pre-k students will be leaving my program for Kindergarten. Now, I don't fully know if they will leave at the beginning of summer, middle of summer, or late summer immediately before Kinder starts. I've been telling interested families this and letting them know I will send them the actual start date when I receive the 2 week notice from the pre-k student. They're fine with this. It falls between June-August. Most will likely leave in late August.

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