Red flag?

[monkeymama]

I had an interview the other night I need some opinions on....

I had spoken to dcm last week, everything sounded great. Made an apt to interview this week. She arrives without the kids?! When I inquired why, she said she is doing all interviews first without the kids to make sure she deems me appropriate first then wants to do another meeting with the kids. I was kind of taken aback and offended by this, Ive never had someone not bring their kids to the interview. I did like her, she asked great questions and her kids seem like they would fit in. I also made it clear that I am interviewing her also, that I am meeting with other families and in order to go forward it is imperative I meet her children and see how they interact.

Do you think this is a red flag or just a very cautious parent??

[Artsand crafts]

It has happened to me that parents show up without a kid. Some have enrolled and others do not. One of them I even suspected was a provider... A few months back I started highlighting the need for the child to come to the interview and that was after a creepy person wanted to show up right in the spot with not kid since she already was in the street.

[apples and bananas]

I don't see it as a red flag. I've had clients come without kids. However, I always ask them to bring them and any time a client hasn't she's always told me first.

If you asked for the kids and she came without them and without mentioning it, then I'd see a bit of a red flag.

But, if you like her then I would continue with the process.

[monkeymama]

I don't see it as a red flag. I've had clients come without kids. However, I always ask them to bring them and any time a client hasn't she's always told me first.

If you asked for the kids and she came without them and without mentioning it, then I'd see a bit of a red flag.

But, if you like her then I would continue with the process.

I told her they were welcome to come as Id love to meet them...she never mentioned them not coming. Everything else went well, so maybe Im being a little nit picky I just want this spot filled with the best possible family!

[torontokids]

If they're interested then go forward with having the kids come for a mtg. I have booked 2 clients without mtg the kids actually. One is not in the country yet and the other was asleep when they did the interview! I am learning that the kids are fine, you are more interviewing the parents anyways (which gives you clue to how the kids will be e,g, coddled etc).

[jodaycare]

I had an interview a few weeks ago where only the mother came. She came from out of town and baby was with grandma.

[sunnydays]

For this reason I now always specifically ask that the child and both parents come to the interview. I had a family show up without their 2.5 year old and when I asked why they said they thought he might cry through the whole interview :0

[playfelt]

Now that is a red flag for sure Sunnydays.

I insist on child coming too just because it feels weird to have someone come when I don't even know for sure they really have a child or if they are just casing the layout of my house or a provider want to be wasting my time. Besides I need to see the child in action in my house and interacting with the parents before we can make decisions so why waste my time with two interviews.

[apples and bananas]

I'm not so concerned about the kids when I interview. I know the kids will always behave differently in front of mom and dad. I am looking to see how the parents relate to the child. Do they let him crawl all over the furnature, do they give in to requests quickly, are they teaching any manners or are they addressing any discipline issues etc.

[gramma]

I had an interview the other night I need some opinions on....

I had spoken to dcm last week, everything sounded great. Made an apt to interview this week. She arrives without the kids?! When I inquired why, she said she is doing all interviews first without the kids to make sure she deems me appropriate first then wants to do another meeting with the kids. I was kind of taken aback and offended by this, Ive never had someone not bring their kids to the interview. I did like her, she asked great questions and her kids seem like they would fit in. I also made it clear that I am interviewing her also, that I am meeting with other families and in order to go forward it is imperative I meet her children and see how they interact.

Do you think this is a red flag or just a very cautious parent??

I'm not sure if its a red flag but it is inconsiderate to assume that you will do 2 interviews. I have had people show up without kids once or twice and ultimately there was a good reason - horrible behaviour. On a second interview she brought her twin boys aged 2ish and they had zero control over their behaviour. the boys actually started to climb up my wall unit. I paused for a moment to allow the parents a chance to react and they just sat there and said "get off of there" I promptly ended the interview saying that I didnt feel that the boys would be a good fit with my group.

[SongSparrow]

I would be totally fine with just the parents for the 1st interview and have done this before....I also always have more than 1 meeting before signing a family and I would require the kids there for every meeting after the first one. At the first meeting I like to discuss my dayhome with the parents and answer any of their questions. I like to chat with them about their children and get an idea about the type of parenting they practice. But I usually only interview once or twice a year. And I am always more concerned with the parents behavior than the kids ;)