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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Not Sure What To Do - Holding An Infant Spot
MomBoss 07:06 AM 05-21-2018
I have an infant opening and have been doing interviews. The first interview i did they got back to me within 5 min of leaving saying they wanted the spot. Originally i was going to wait to make a decision until I was done with all interviews but the age of the infant and the parents personality were great so i really wanted them. I told them they could have the spot but since they dont need care until end of august, they would have to pay a holding fee (which they thought was fair) and in order to officially hold the spot, they would need to pay it asap. They responded to my email but didnt acknowlege when they were planning on stopping by to pay me. Its been a few days and i have a couple more interviews for infants. I may end up liking the other people better and since they havent paid me a holding fee yet, is it alright for me to tell them i went with someone else? I think its strange that they knew i was doing more interviews but havent paid the holding fee yet. If i really loved a provider, i would make sure i held the spot.
After 4 families left me during my maternity leave (they decided they dont need summer care and will take the risk of loosing the spot), i realized i need to start making business decisions and not decisions with my heart. Everyone makes decisions on whats best for them and not on someone elses feelings so i need to do the same. I know i already told these people they could have the spot, but since they havent paid to hold it it technically isnt theirs. And the next interview i have also has a 2 yr old so i would rather take them.
Anyone been in the same position?? And how do i tell these people i went with someone else? (Assuming the other people want me)
After 4 families left me during my maternity leave (they decided they dont need summer care and will take the risk of loosing the spot), i realized i need to start making business decisions and not decisions with my heart. Everyone makes decisions on whats best for them and not on someone elses feelings so i need to do the same. I know i already told these people they could have the spot, but since they havent paid to hold it it technically isnt theirs. And the next interview i have also has a 2 yr old so i would rather take them.
Anyone been in the same position?? And how do i tell these people i went with someone else? (Assuming the other people want me)
Snowmom 07:13 AM 05-21-2018
Originally Posted by MomBoss:
I have an infant opening and have been doing interviews. The first interview i did they got back to me within 5 min of leaving saying they wanted the spot. Originally i was going to wait to make a decision until I was done with all interviews but the age of the infant and the parents personality were great so i really wanted them. I told them they could have the spot but since they dont need care until end of august, they would have to pay a holding fee (which they thought was fair) and in order to officially hold the spot, they would need to pay it asap. They responded to my email but didnt acknowlege when they were planning on stopping by to pay me. Its been a few days and i have a couple more interviews for infants. I may end up liking the other people better and since they havent paid me a holding fee yet, is it alright for me to tell them i went with someone else? I think its strange that they knew i was doing more interviews but havent paid the holding fee yet. If i really loved a provider, i would make sure i held the spot.
After 4 families left me during my maternity leave (they decided they dont need summer care and will take the risk of loosing the spot), i realized i need to start making business decisions and not decisions with my heart. Everyone makes decisions on whats best for them and not on someone elses feelings so i need to do the same. I know i already told these people they could have the spot, but since they havent paid to hold it it technically isnt theirs. And the next interview i have also has a 2 yr old so i would rather take them.
Anyone been in the same position?? And how do i tell these people i went with someone else? (Assuming the other people want me)
I tell people that until I have the enrollment fee in hand with signed paperwork, the spot is considered open. I have an infant opening and have been doing interviews. The first interview i did they got back to me within 5 min of leaving saying they wanted the spot. Originally i was going to wait to make a decision until I was done with all interviews but the age of the infant and the parents personality were great so i really wanted them. I told them they could have the spot but since they dont need care until end of august, they would have to pay a holding fee (which they thought was fair) and in order to officially hold the spot, they would need to pay it asap. They responded to my email but didnt acknowlege when they were planning on stopping by to pay me. Its been a few days and i have a couple more interviews for infants. I may end up liking the other people better and since they havent paid me a holding fee yet, is it alright for me to tell them i went with someone else? I think its strange that they knew i was doing more interviews but havent paid the holding fee yet. If i really loved a provider, i would make sure i held the spot.
After 4 families left me during my maternity leave (they decided they dont need summer care and will take the risk of loosing the spot), i realized i need to start making business decisions and not decisions with my heart. Everyone makes decisions on whats best for them and not on someone elses feelings so i need to do the same. I know i already told these people they could have the spot, but since they havent paid to hold it it technically isnt theirs. And the next interview i have also has a 2 yr old so i would rather take them.
Anyone been in the same position?? And how do i tell these people i went with someone else? (Assuming the other people want me)
It sounds like you've pretty much done the same.
I'm always in the camp of "do what works best for YOU." They (families) will, so should you.
Cat Herder 07:17 AM 05-21-2018
Did you give them a specific deadline for payment and they missed it? If so, carry on without guilt. They made a choice.
MyAngels 07:23 AM 05-21-2018
Unless you gave them a specific date to pay the holding fee, I would give them a courtesy email, something along the lines of "as discussed in our meeting, in order to secure your child's enrollment, you will need to pay the holding fee in the amount of $. Until that fee is paid, I will continue with interviews, and have several scheduled beginning today."
Sort of a poo or get off the pot email, if you will
Sort of a poo or get off the pot email, if you will
Blackcat31 08:11 AM 05-21-2018
Originally Posted by MyAngels:
Unless you gave them a specific date to pay the holding fee, I would give them a courtesy email, something along the lines of "as discussed in our meeting, in order to secure your child's enrollment, you will need to pay the holding fee in the amount of $. Until that fee is paid, I will continue with interviews, and have several scheduled beginning today."
Sort of a poo or get off the pot email, if you will
This ^^Unless you gave them a specific date to pay the holding fee, I would give them a courtesy email, something along the lines of "as discussed in our meeting, in order to secure your child's enrollment, you will need to pay the holding fee in the amount of $. Until that fee is paid, I will continue with interviews, and have several scheduled beginning today."
Sort of a poo or get off the pot email, if you will
A courtesy e-mail is probably best if you didn't provide an actual pay by date other than just saying ASAP.
BUUT, I would state that you are interviewing others and since they have not contacted you in regards to paying the holding fee, you are planning on following through with these other interviews and then making YOUR final decision as to who you will/wont enroll and will be letting them know your decision by x date. (this takes the ball back from their court and puts it in yours)
Should they be the family you want to enroll (after your interviews are complete) you can then inform them they will need to be ready to pay the holding fee within 24 hours of being notified that you will be accepting them.
That ^ kind of gives them "notice" that you aren't messing around and that their failure to pay a holding fee has costs them first dibs on the space.
MomBoss 08:32 AM 05-21-2018
I didnt give a specific time frame, i basically said in order for the spot to be held, it has to be paid. So they should assume the spot is not held for them yet? I think im going to wait to contact them until after the interviews are over on wednesday and then give them 24hrs if another family is interested. A part of me wonders if they are still considering other daycares and thats why they havent made any comment about paying the fee. I feel awkward asking again for the money..lol
Laugh and Learn 07:21 AM 05-21-2018
If you would rather have the family with a two year old and infant and the other family hasn’t given you your deposit, That’s your chance to get the family that fills two spots. I feel everything happens for reason. Maybe there’s a reason they haven’t sent you the deposit so you can take this other family.