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View Poll Results: Do you offer a beverage?
Yes, I offer drinks. 20 30.30%
No, I don't offer drinks. 46 69.70%
Voters: 66. You may not vote on this poll
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Do Your Offer.....?
ABCDaycareMN 02:52 PM 03-01-2013
A beverage to a prospective client during an interview?

I don't, but wanted to know if others did.

Is it rude that I don't and that you do?
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Blackcat31 03:00 PM 03-01-2013
I don't.

I'm interviewing NOT having a tea party.
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ABCDaycareMN 03:08 PM 03-01-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I don't.

I'm interviewing NOT having a tea party.
I like the way you put it!
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EntropyControlSpecialist 03:26 PM 03-01-2013
No, I do not.

In the beginning, I would put out a snack and a cup of water for the child. Some would eat it, and other times it would go untouched. The parents never noticed either way so I just stopped.
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SunnyDay 03:35 PM 03-01-2013
I have offered a glass of water when they had a tickle in their throat or something, but not as a regular thing
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tenderhearts 04:44 PM 03-01-2013
I don't either and actually have never even thought to ask.
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Little Star75 04:48 PM 03-01-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I don't.

I'm interviewing NOT having a tea party.
Lol good one!
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HomeMADE 05:01 PM 03-01-2013
No, I want them to enjoy the experience from a childs perspective adn I dont really want them to stay for more than 30min.

I currently have a mom that stays for 15 to 20 min at pick up now without that treatment, lol.
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CedarCreek 05:07 PM 03-01-2013
I'm in the "No" camp.

I just want to interview, sign some papers if all is well and be done.
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DCBlessings27 05:15 PM 03-01-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I don't.

I'm interviewing NOT having a tea party.

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DCBlessings27 05:16 PM 03-01-2013
I've never offered a prospective parent a drink.
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Starburst 05:19 PM 03-01-2013
I have thought about that too because in my child observation class they were talking about enrollment interviews/parent-teacher conferences and talked about one way to 'break the ice' was to offer something to eat or drink (non alcholic of course). The teacher also stressed the importance of keeping interviews/conferences short at about 30 mintues (no more than 45 max), she used to be the director of a center.

I was thinking about maybe just having some vegtibles plates, fruits, cheese and crackers, or cookies/brownies and offering milk, tea, coffee, juice, or a glass of water. I was thinking about doing that to start off and see how it works but if I get alot of non sign ups or alot of people who turn it down than maybe I won't offer anymore.
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Evansmom 06:09 PM 03-01-2013
I do but I'm in the "south" (Texas) it's good manners to offer water or iced tea and sometimes it's necessary in the summer bc it's so hot.
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Starburst 06:26 PM 03-01-2013
Originally Posted by Evansmom:
I do but I'm in the "south" (Texas) it's good manners to offer water or iced tea and sometimes it's necessary in the summer bc it's so hot.


I'm definately an Iced tea person. I dont even drink coffee, soda, or hot tea- it's mostly iced tea and water. And where I live (and plan to move to for my business) it's hot most of the time. My fiance has even suggested that maybe I should offer the daycare parents a cup of coffee in the morning since he will most likely on get a cup of coffee for the road and since I don't drink coffee. That way the also have the option of not having to pay $5 extra everyday at Starbucks or McDonalds (though if they want anything other than regular coffee with some basic milk/cream/sugar they are on their own ) also an added optional service no charge. It can also be used as advertisment- if you give them a reusable travel coffee thermous that has your business logo/number on it .

Most of his family is country folk (work in ag; traced back to dust bowl oakies) and he keeps thinking of 'friendly customer service' ideas- which I can be really bad at sometimes because I am introvert and really shy around other adults.
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Sereetta 06:54 PM 03-01-2013
I do... I just had one today and I offered bottle water. I think its polite and doesn't cost me much.
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LK5kids 08:13 PM 03-01-2013
No, I've never thought of it! Might be good PR though!
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Springdaze 08:20 PM 03-01-2013
I offer water just cuz if someone comes to your house, i think its nice
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BumbleBee 08:48 PM 03-01-2013
I offer bottled water. So far only one person has taken me up on that.
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daycarediva 04:19 AM 03-02-2013
I offer bottled water, coffee or tea. I usually get takers. I think it's polite, not that they are going to dehydrate in 30 minutes, it's just good manners.
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Heidi 05:56 AM 03-02-2013
Originally Posted by Starburst:


I'm definately an Iced tea person. I dont even drink coffee, soda, or hot tea- it's mostly iced tea and water. And where I live (and plan to move to for my business) it's hot most of the time. My fiance has even suggested that maybe I should offer the daycare parents a cup of coffee in the morning since he will most likely on get a cup of coffee for the road and since I don't drink coffee. That way the also have the option of not having to pay $5 extra everyday at Starbucks or McDonalds (though if they want anything other than regular coffee with some basic milk/cream/sugar they are on their own ) also an added optional service no charge. It can also be used as advertisment- if you give them a reusable travel coffee thermous that has your business logo/number on it .

Most of his family is country folk (work in ag; traced back to dust bowl oakies) and he keeps thinking of 'friendly customer service' ideas- which I can be really bad at sometimes because I am introvert and really shy around other adults.
I like that idea...I come from a customer service background, and anything that sets you apart is great. I don't do this everyday, but will occasionally have coffee and muffins out in the morning, or cookies we baked at pickup.
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Heidi 05:59 AM 03-02-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
I offer bottled water, coffee or tea. I usually get takers. I think it's polite, not that they are going to dehydrate in 30 minutes, it's just good manners.
Since I'm a first generation german immigrant, I still have some of the "old country" habits. If you go to someones house in Germany, they always offer you coffee and some baked good (home-made or bought). When we visited there when I was little, we'd get sent to "Tante so-and-so's" by my grandma (usually one of her sisters who lived the next block over). Even as children, we were always offered a few cookies and coffee or milk (hey, in Italy it would have been a glass of wine). Then, they'd as us questions about America and school, give us "a little something so you can buy yourself a treat", and send us on our way. ahh..memories.

Anywhooo...As a host(ess), you'd be considered rather rude not to offer anything to a guest in your home.
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Blackcat31 06:41 AM 03-02-2013
Originally Posted by Heidi:
Since I'm a first generation german immigrant, I still have some of the "old country" habits. If you go to someones house in Germany, they always offer you coffee and some baked good (home-made or bought). When we visited there when I was little, we'd get sent to "Tante so-and-so's" by my grandma (usually one of her sisters who lived the next block over). Even as children, we were always offered a few cookies and coffee or milk (hey, in Italy it would have been a glass of wine). Then, they'd as us questions about America and school, give us "a little something so you can buy yourself a treat", and send us on our way. ahh..memories.

Anywhooo...As a host(ess), you'd be considered rather rude not to offer anything to a guest in your home.
LOVE the flashbacks!

IF I were entertaining someone in my home, I would absolutely offer them something to eat and drink.

HOWEVER, when I interview a family, I don't view it as me being the "hostess" as I am not hosting anything.

I view it more as an informational meeting or conference and beverages aren't usually offered in those types of situations/environments.

Job interviews, orientations, parent-teacher conferences, etc....

That is the line of thinking I am coming from.

Plus, I do all my interviewing during business hours so the minute I offered a prospective client ANYTHING, I would have 10 other littles saying "me too, me too"
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Texasjeepgirl 07:21 AM 03-02-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I don't.

I'm interviewing NOT having a tea party.

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MissK 08:39 AM 03-02-2013
I guess I never really thought of it to be honest! So no...I have never offered them something to drink...
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Heidi 11:56 AM 03-02-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
LOVE the flashbacks!

IF I were entertaining someone in my home, I would absolutely offer them something to eat and drink.

HOWEVER, when I interview a family, I don't view it as me being the "hostess" as I am not hosting anything.

I view it more as an informational meeting or conference and beverages aren't usually offered in those types of situations/environments.

Job interviews, orientations, parent-teacher conferences, etc....

That is the line of thinking I am coming from.

Plus, I do all my interviewing during business hours so the minute I offered a prospective client ANYTHING, I would have 10 other littles saying "me too, me too"
I'd say your situation and mine are different, since you are not in your home (well, the home you live in), and since I do my interview after hours or during naptime. I've tried doing them during awake dc time and they are generally kind of a disaster. My kiddos aren't too bad with visitors here, but they definately notice when my attention is split and some will take advantage.
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MNMum 02:07 PM 03-02-2013
Sometimes...

If my husband is around he always does!
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daycarediva 03:27 PM 03-02-2013
Originally Posted by Heidi:
Since I'm a first generation german immigrant, I still have some of the "old country" habits. If you go to someones house in Germany, they always offer you coffee and some baked good (home-made or bought). When we visited there when I was little, we'd get sent to "Tante so-and-so's" by my grandma (usually one of her sisters who lived the next block over). Even as children, we were always offered a few cookies and coffee or milk (hey, in Italy it would have been a glass of wine). Then, they'd as us questions about America and school, give us "a little something so you can buy yourself a treat", and send us on our way. ahh..memories.

Anywhooo...As a host(ess), you'd be considered rather rude not to offer anything to a guest in your home.
Ahh, love it! My family/grandparents are like that. It's welcoming.

When I went to ds's pt conference, the teacher brought her keurig and had coffee & donuts for everyone. It was nice!
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MrsSteinel'sHouse 06:59 AM 03-03-2013
I don't because we are generally in my playroom so their kidlets feels comfortable while we talk and I don't allow kid let's to et or drink in there. Now, I have handed parents cups of coffee in morning before, fed them lunch or snack etc... Once I am watching heir kido.
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PitterPatter 07:25 AM 03-03-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I don't.

I'm interviewing NOT having a tea party.

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Brooksie 08:40 AM 03-04-2013
I offer, especially if I have to go make copies and leave them waiting. But other than that I will occasionally offer a snack to the child. So far no ones actually taken me up on it, and I think they more appreciate the hospitality offer than actually wanting me to ""serve" them or something. Just another way to make them feel comfortable in my house and eventually leaving their kids here.
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Play Care 09:14 AM 03-04-2013
I do not. Like some others I view the interview as a professional setting, like a job interview. I seem to recall from a business class I took a looooong time ago that when you were asked at an interview if you would like a beverage the "correct" answer was a polite "no thank you." Not sure why, but that sticks in my mind.
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