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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Are You Super Upfront With Denying A Family?
E Daycare 10:46 AM 10-04-2012
Or do you just say "sorry but at this time I don't think I'll be taking you on as a client?
Something less harsh maybe?
I had an interview last night that went well. I thought the mom was gonna be super headstrong and I stood my ground (thanks to advice from you guys) and things went smoothly. A few red flags though:
* parent was super excited I'm open 10.5hrs and plans on using most of that time (yes it's just 3x a week but it's two kids and I already have a 10hr a day kid full time). I told her I do require a set time for drop off and pickup since the others have varied schedules. She was a little blank by that and I told her it was written out in my contract and I have early and late fees.
* Informed me eldest (3yrs) doesn't nap. I told her everyone here naps or rests (they all nap from 1-3:30 like clock work. Some longer than that even) and that in a 10hr day the kids, as well I, need a break. So the eldest will have to lay down.
*Was surprised that I took time off and closed on days that weren't just school holidays or summer. I don't completely follow the school calendar anyways (she's a teacher so she does of course) but I told her per my contract I give 4wks notice to when I'm taking time off. For instance the week of thanksgiving. We live out of state and alternate thanksgiving and Xmas to go home with our son. This year is thanksgiving and since we drive, we take that week off. We haven't been home since the 4th of July and I haven't had to close since then. I told her this is why I require a backup sitter, not only for my time off but if their kid (or mine is sick, as I have no one to take my kid) is sick I will tell them to come back when the kid is better.
If I take this family I'll be at max for state (I'm not licensed but comply to be class B) 3x a week. I'm only looking for 1child right now and this would be two. I'm not looking to have the kids 10hrs a day as I already do that with one and that's more than enough.
Also, I'll have to term a family I have that comes in as a drop off due to being over ratio if the eldest comes (elsdest goes to preschool but some days needs to come here)and I love that family. I'm not willing to term them even if they are once a week or so.
I have a good situation right now, I'm not hard up for kids as I'm very fortunate with what my husband does for a living and I plan on closing at the end of next summer (we are moving). Its a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" situation. If I try this on a trial basis just to see if it works I'll still have to let a family go to not be over ratio and I don't want to burn that bridge unless I really thought it would work out.
I took the interview knowing that if I decided to take them on I'd have to let a family go and was willing to weigh the odds. Now i see I don't want to take on this new family.
What I'd like help with is, how do you deny the family? Are you completely upfront with all the above issues I pointed out or do you just say "the interview last night/other day was good and I was happy to meet you and your family but at this time I've decided to not take on anymore children?". Especially after you told them you had other interviews and you'd let them know your decision.
I might take on one more child so I'm truthful when I say I've decided to not take on anymore right now but I don't want to take on two. That's a lot of busy I'm not rooting for right now. A busy 11mo old and a no nap 3yr old 10hrs a day is not what I'm willing to trial for and then decide I don't want to continue on.
How do you say NOPE?
Something less harsh maybe?
I had an interview last night that went well. I thought the mom was gonna be super headstrong and I stood my ground (thanks to advice from you guys) and things went smoothly. A few red flags though:
* parent was super excited I'm open 10.5hrs and plans on using most of that time (yes it's just 3x a week but it's two kids and I already have a 10hr a day kid full time). I told her I do require a set time for drop off and pickup since the others have varied schedules. She was a little blank by that and I told her it was written out in my contract and I have early and late fees.
* Informed me eldest (3yrs) doesn't nap. I told her everyone here naps or rests (they all nap from 1-3:30 like clock work. Some longer than that even) and that in a 10hr day the kids, as well I, need a break. So the eldest will have to lay down.
*Was surprised that I took time off and closed on days that weren't just school holidays or summer. I don't completely follow the school calendar anyways (she's a teacher so she does of course) but I told her per my contract I give 4wks notice to when I'm taking time off. For instance the week of thanksgiving. We live out of state and alternate thanksgiving and Xmas to go home with our son. This year is thanksgiving and since we drive, we take that week off. We haven't been home since the 4th of July and I haven't had to close since then. I told her this is why I require a backup sitter, not only for my time off but if their kid (or mine is sick, as I have no one to take my kid) is sick I will tell them to come back when the kid is better.
If I take this family I'll be at max for state (I'm not licensed but comply to be class B) 3x a week. I'm only looking for 1child right now and this would be two. I'm not looking to have the kids 10hrs a day as I already do that with one and that's more than enough.
Also, I'll have to term a family I have that comes in as a drop off due to being over ratio if the eldest comes (elsdest goes to preschool but some days needs to come here)and I love that family. I'm not willing to term them even if they are once a week or so.
I have a good situation right now, I'm not hard up for kids as I'm very fortunate with what my husband does for a living and I plan on closing at the end of next summer (we are moving). Its a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" situation. If I try this on a trial basis just to see if it works I'll still have to let a family go to not be over ratio and I don't want to burn that bridge unless I really thought it would work out.
I took the interview knowing that if I decided to take them on I'd have to let a family go and was willing to weigh the odds. Now i see I don't want to take on this new family.
What I'd like help with is, how do you deny the family? Are you completely upfront with all the above issues I pointed out or do you just say "the interview last night/other day was good and I was happy to meet you and your family but at this time I've decided to not take on anymore children?". Especially after you told them you had other interviews and you'd let them know your decision.
I might take on one more child so I'm truthful when I say I've decided to not take on anymore right now but I don't want to take on two. That's a lot of busy I'm not rooting for right now. A busy 11mo old and a no nap 3yr old 10hrs a day is not what I'm willing to trial for and then decide I don't want to continue on.
How do you say NOPE?
EntropyControlSpecialist 10:53 AM 10-04-2012
"I'm sorry, but I just don't think that we're a good fit. Best of luck in your childcare search!"
daycare 10:54 AM 10-04-2012
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
"I'm sorry, but I just don't think that we're a good fit. Best of luck in your childcare search!"
super sweet short and simple!!!"I'm sorry, but I just don't think that we're a good fit. Best of luck in your childcare search!"
E Daycare 11:00 AM 10-04-2012
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
"I'm sorry, but I just don't think that we're a good fit. Best of luck in your childcare search!"
Sounds perfect! I'm just nervous about the aftermath questions ya know. I'm gonna be "uhhh uhhh ppffft uhhhh ::nervous laughter:: OMG GOING THRU A TUNNEL" and then hang up."I'm sorry, but I just don't think that we're a good fit. Best of luck in your childcare search!"
cheerfuldom 11:09 AM 10-04-2012
Do not give them all these details.
But I do agree that this is not the best situation. If I was moving next summer, I would make no changes right now.
If you feel you must say something further than the above ideas, I would go with
"I enjoyed meeting your family at our interview. Due to personal reasons, I have decided not to add to my daycare group after all. Best wishes in your search for childcare and again, thank you for considering my services"
If you have anybody to recommend or any resources that may help, I would add those into the email.
To be honest, if you are moving for sure, then I doubt they would want to start anyway, knowing they would have to begin a new search in like 6 months or so. You are doing them a favor by letting them find something permanent.
But I do agree that this is not the best situation. If I was moving next summer, I would make no changes right now.
If you feel you must say something further than the above ideas, I would go with
"I enjoyed meeting your family at our interview. Due to personal reasons, I have decided not to add to my daycare group after all. Best wishes in your search for childcare and again, thank you for considering my services"
If you have anybody to recommend or any resources that may help, I would add those into the email.
To be honest, if you are moving for sure, then I doubt they would want to start anyway, knowing they would have to begin a new search in like 6 months or so. You are doing them a favor by letting them find something permanent.
Blackcat31 11:12 AM 10-04-2012
I would say,
"I really enjoyed meeting you and your family during our interview. However based on your current needs, I do not think I am the right fit for your family at this time. If you would like to be placed on my waiting list should a position that does meet your needs come up, please let me know. Thank you for your time and I wish you the best with your search for care."
I wouldn't really want to say "No" permanently as who knows what can happen in the future and what your business needs may be at a later date.
If they push or ask for more details, I would just tell them that at this particular time, their needs don't match with your program. They have 2 kids, you only have 1 opening- they want long days, you want a shorter day- their child doesn't nap, ALL your DCK's do.
Nothing wrong with your wants and nothing wrong with their needs...they just aren't matching up right now. Saying no with emphasis that you are open to re-visiting them when and if an opening arises is good business practice IMPO as the family will walk away knowing you were honest, up front and professional as well.....all pluses for building a good reputation.
"I really enjoyed meeting you and your family during our interview. However based on your current needs, I do not think I am the right fit for your family at this time. If you would like to be placed on my waiting list should a position that does meet your needs come up, please let me know. Thank you for your time and I wish you the best with your search for care."
I wouldn't really want to say "No" permanently as who knows what can happen in the future and what your business needs may be at a later date.
If they push or ask for more details, I would just tell them that at this particular time, their needs don't match with your program. They have 2 kids, you only have 1 opening- they want long days, you want a shorter day- their child doesn't nap, ALL your DCK's do.
Nothing wrong with your wants and nothing wrong with their needs...they just aren't matching up right now. Saying no with emphasis that you are open to re-visiting them when and if an opening arises is good business practice IMPO as the family will walk away knowing you were honest, up front and professional as well.....all pluses for building a good reputation.
E Daycare 11:15 AM 10-04-2012
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
Do not give them all these details.
But I do agree that this is not the best situation. If I was moving next summer, I would make no changes right now.
If you feel you must say something further than the above ideas, I would go with
"I enjoyed meeting your family at our interview. Due to personal reasons, I have decided not to add to my daycare group after all. Best wishes in your search for childcare and again, thank you for considering my services"
If you have anybody to recommend or any resources that may help, I would add those into the email.
To be honest, if you are moving for sure, then I doubt they would want to start anyway, knowing they would have to begin a new search in like 6 months or so. You are doing them a favor by letting them find something permanent.
Love this!! They are aware I'm moving next year and ok with it as they would look for more permanent care after summer(they just moved back to the area). I'd love to add on one more kid for the year but two is just not in my mind. Do not give them all these details.
But I do agree that this is not the best situation. If I was moving next summer, I would make no changes right now.
If you feel you must say something further than the above ideas, I would go with
"I enjoyed meeting your family at our interview. Due to personal reasons, I have decided not to add to my daycare group after all. Best wishes in your search for childcare and again, thank you for considering my services"
If you have anybody to recommend or any resources that may help, I would add those into the email.
To be honest, if you are moving for sure, then I doubt they would want to start anyway, knowing they would have to begin a new search in like 6 months or so. You are doing them a favor by letting them find something permanent.
I was laying in bed and a night switch went on that was like "nah you don't want to do this E" and then I was like "well crap, now I have to tell them!". Doesn't help the mom is a co-worker of another Dcmom. So maybe now the current mom I have can watch them (she's not wanting to work anymore. LONG story and this situation is exhausting me) and everyone can be happy.
Ugh ugh ugh.
Meeko 12:42 PM 10-04-2012
"After interviewing several families for the spot in our daycare, I am writing to let you know that the place had been filled and I am unable to offer you a place at this time. Thank you for your interest in our daycare. I enjoyed meeting you."
brookeroo 07:14 PM 10-04-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I would say,
"I really enjoyed meeting you and your family during our interview. However based on your current needs, I do not think I am the right fit for your family at this time. If you would like to be placed on my waiting list should a position that does meet your needs come up, please let me know. Thank you for your time and I wish you the best with your search for care."
I would say,
"I really enjoyed meeting you and your family during our interview. However based on your current needs, I do not think I am the right fit for your family at this time. If you would like to be placed on my waiting list should a position that does meet your needs come up, please let me know. Thank you for your time and I wish you the best with your search for care."
