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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>At What Point For A Tour/Interview Is Considered Late?
trix23 08:09 AM 06-10-2017
At what point for a tour/interview is considered late and you won't do it?

15 minutes? 10 minutes? 30 minutes?

And what do you do if they attempt to call or incessantly ring the doorbell, etc? Do you ignore their calls or answer it and say they are late? Ignore all together? Leave the house after X amount of minutes, etc?
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Unregistered 09:06 AM 06-10-2017
For me my cut off is 10 minutes because it is a little difficult and confusing to find my home. I do put in the email I send with my address prior to the visit that if they are late more than 10 minutes their visit will be canceled, but if they let me know with advance notice I will reschedule their visit. I haven't had a problem yet.
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childcaremom 01:50 PM 06-10-2017
I give 15 mins. But it's the first strike against them. I need families to pick up on time and this is a sign that they aren't punctual and don't value my time.

Of course, I give them the benefit of the doubt. Traffic: maybe. Lost: maybe. But I will look carefully at the rest of the interview to see if anything else seems off.

After 15 minutes, I assume they are a no show and get on with my day. If they showed (I've never had this happen btw) I would just tell them I'm sorry I won't be able to continue our interview as I have another one scheduled shortly.
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trix23 03:18 PM 06-11-2017
Our pediatrician's office gives 15 minutes so I may go with that.
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Blackcat31 06:44 AM 06-12-2017
I could be totally wrong but I've always been taught anything more than 15 minutes for ANYTHING is a no show.
1-14 minutes is late....15 is unacceptable.

Communication when running late would make ALL the difference to me though.... just showing up late without any form of contact is rude and probably a red flag but if they are running late and communicate about it (before or during) then I'd be much more willing to over look it.
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Ariana 07:47 AM 06-12-2017
The one family that came 10 min late with no warning ended up being turned down for the spot for failure to communicate promptly. They were a mess!

I am ok with lateness if I get a heads up and an apology but I would never accept someone who was 30 min late!!
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DaveA 07:58 AM 06-12-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:

Communication when running late would make ALL the difference to me though.... just showing up late without any form of contact is rude and probably a red flag but if they are running late and communicate about it (before or during) then I'd be much more willing to over look it.
Bingo. I'm more likely to overlook someone 30 min late who let me know they were running late and when they will arrive than someone who shows up 15 min late like it's nothing.
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trix23 08:46 AM 06-12-2017
Thank you for the wisdom. I'll be putti g it in my addendum
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lovemydaycare0912 12:05 PM 06-12-2017
I allow up to 15 mins. Preferably with a heads up. After that, it's a no go.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:11 PM 06-12-2017
I won't conduct an interview starting at 11 minutes late. I also won't reschedule a new interview for them. Mine are only 30 minutes long...that's missing 1/3 of the interview time!

All of this is told to them prior to it.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:12 PM 06-12-2017
Originally Posted by Ariana:
The one family that came 10 min late with no warning ended up being turned down for the spot for failure to communicate promptly. They were a mess!

I am ok with lateness if I get a heads up and an apology but I would never accept someone who was 30 min late!!
That's always been my experience with late arrivals.
Since I add a note about late or missed arrivals not being rescheduled my interviews all seem to arrive 5+ minutes early.
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CityGarden 01:28 PM 06-12-2017
I have interviews during drop off now so I can easily see if they are morning people, if they are prompt, respectful of my time etc. it is very telling.....
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hwichlaz 01:29 PM 06-12-2017
generally 15 min, but it's easy to get lost on the way to my house and we have spotty cell coverage here, so I give them up to 30 min.
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trix23 02:33 PM 06-12-2017
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
That's always been my experience with late arrivals.
Since I add a note about late or missed arrivals not being rescheduled my interviews all seem to arrive 5+ minutes early.

How do you word what you say to them?
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EntropyControlSpecialist 03:14 PM 06-12-2017
Originally Posted by trix23:
How do you word what you say to them?
"This time is reserved especially for your family. Please provide no less than 3 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Barring extenuating circumstances, missed or late arrivals will not be rescheduled."
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LysesKids 04:49 PM 06-12-2017
Originally Posted by trix23:
How do you word what you say to them?
I have a different approach to the meet & greets (interviews) than ECS does; I tell parents during our phone conversation (first interview) that I need them to call or text me 3 hours before our set time (the day of in person interview) in order to get my exact address; If they haven't texted within 2 hrs of set time, I assume they will no show & I don't print paperwork off or worry about last minute tidying - I also go about my day as if no meet & greet was set. They show up without texting/calling, I explain I didn't expect them & Sorry, but I have set ways of doing things and they didn't follow procedure (Big red flag).

My address isn't in my ads or on the website... yes they can google my name/daycare name, but if someone shows up @ my home without an appointment, they aren't considered @ that time. My website & my ads specifically state that I must get your info thru my contact page if you are looking for care. It's my way of weeding out people that want to control how I work

If you are a community local (I live in a small neighborhood of 240 houses and my ad is up at the main office; it's privately owned) - I still tell them to read the website first and understand that I will not budge on my policies & fees... they still want care, they interview the same way everyone else does
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trix23 06:33 PM 06-12-2017
Very true about procedures and etc. I may adapt that to mine too.
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LysesKids 04:19 PM 07-31-2018
... chatted on the phone yesterday... she texted for the address 2.5 hrs in advance & bam; no show, no call - not even an answer to my text. I explained this was my last spot open & I had other interviews all week... her loss. Not many people offer Pay by the day/Drop-in for infants lol
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Josiegirl 02:13 AM 08-01-2018
Originally Posted by LysesKids:
... chatted on the phone yesterday... she texted for the address 2.5 hrs in advance & bam; no show, no call - not even an answer to my text. I explained this was my last spot open & I had other interviews all week... her loss. Not many people offer Pay by the day/Drop-in for infants lol
It's maddening isn't it?? Hope the next potential family goes better. There isn't much you can do with rude people and I'll never understand why someone can't at least send a quick text or short call to say they need to cancel. I think people's manners have taken a terrible nose dive.
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Gemma 04:34 AM 08-01-2018
Originally Posted by childcaremom:
I give 15 mins. But it's the first strike against them. I need families to pick up on time and this is a sign that they aren't punctual and don't value my time.

Of course, I give them the benefit of the doubt. Traffic: maybe. Lost: maybe. But I will look carefully at the rest of the interview to see if anything else seems off.

After 15 minutes, I assume they are a no show and get on with my day. If they showed (I've never had this happen btw) I would just tell them I'm sorry I won't be able to continue our interview as I have another one scheduled shortly.

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LysesKids 04:43 AM 08-01-2018
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
It's maddening isn't it?? Hope the next potential family goes better. There isn't much you can do with rude people and I'll never understand why someone can't at least send a quick text or short call to say they need to cancel. I think people's manners have taken a terrible nose dive.
It's why I started not giving out the address until a few hrs prior... to see if they even remembered they had a meet and greet lol. I mean I put the general area I live in ads, just not exact so it won't come as a shock if I am too far.

I'm thinking it's another neighborhood issue like the parent I just declined care for 2days ago after she told me her reasoning for not picking me in the first place back in January; decided she needed me after all because she isn't happy @ the center lol
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amberrose3dg 04:59 AM 08-01-2018
Originally Posted by LysesKids:
It's why I started not giving out the address until a few hrs prior... to see if they even remembered they had a meet and greet lol. I mean I put the general area I live in ads, just not exact so it won't come as a shock if I am too far.

I'm thinking it's another neighborhood issue like the parent I just declined care for 2days ago after she told me her reasoning for not picking me in the first place back in January; decided she needed me after all because she isn't happy @ the center lol
Sorry people are very inconsiderate and rude. I make sure people text me an hour or two before also. Just because I am at my home doesn't mean I want to be sitting around waiting on you.I hope you find a good, considerate family.
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LysesKids 06:10 AM 08-01-2018
Originally Posted by amberrose3dg:
Sorry people are very inconsiderate and rude. I make sure people text me an hour or two before also. Just because I am at my home doesn't mean I want to be sitting around waiting on you.I hope you find a good, considerate family.
The next 2 interviews are moms I've met prior so we shall see. If both sign poor little man will be my only boy & he's the oldest lol
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amberrose3dg 09:49 AM 08-01-2018
Originally Posted by LysesKids:
The next 2 interviews are moms I've met prior so we shall see. If both sign poor little man will be my only boy & he's the oldest lol
He will be just fine.
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Meeko 01:52 PM 08-02-2018
I give parents a time slot with a beginning and an end. Too many parents think 7pm means 7-ish...and then stay as long as they like.

I make sure they understand that their appointment is 7-7:30 and that I have plans right before and after that (even if my plans are just watching TV). I have turned away a mom who arrived 20 mins early. Simply told her that her appt wasn't until later and I couldn't see her.

People who don't respect my time usually don't get a spot. It's a HUGE red flag.
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LysesKids 05:07 PM 08-02-2018
Originally Posted by amberrose3dg:
He will be just fine.
YES... only one spot to go; this mom signed contract & paid tonight. Better than the 2 that blew me off earlier this week
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TomCopeland 10:53 AM 08-13-2018
Believe it or not, I had a provider tell me this:
A parent showed up late for the interview. The provider asked the parent why she was late. The parent said, "I was meeting with my lawyer and we're suing our previous caregiver!"

The provider was calling me to ask if she can refuse to provide care because of this. I said, yes. It's not illegal to discriminate based on parents suing previous caregivers!
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amberrose3dg 11:05 AM 08-13-2018
Originally Posted by TomCopeland:
Believe it or not, I had a provider tell me this:
A parent showed up late for the interview. The provider asked the parent why she was late. The parent said, "I was meeting with my lawyer and we're suing our previous caregiver!"

The provider was calling me to ask if she can refuse to provide care because of this. I said, yes. It's not illegal to discriminate based on parents suing previous caregivers!
Yeah that be a big fat nope for me.
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MarinaVanessa 12:31 PM 08-13-2018
Originally Posted by amberrose3dg:
Yeah that be a big fat nope for me.
Yep, for me too
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Unregistered 02:12 PM 08-25-2018
wow, that's crazy. and yep, I'd say NO too!
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