Parents who wait until the last minute to make childcare arrangements...red flag?

[smileyface]

I just got a request for someone looking for daycare to start in 1.5 weeks (and it's not due to terminating a previous caregiver). Do you consider this a red flag if parents wait until the last minute to arrange childcare? Have any of you ever taken on a client that did this? Did it turn out good? In my head, I'm thinking this is a red flag that the parents are very disorganized.

[BlueRose]

I don't consider this a red flag. Some parents just don't understand that it can take time to find a daycare. Or they have been looking but just not finding anything that they like and/or fits there needs.

I get a lot of family's who need care to start the next day/in a few days or weeks. This family's however are looking for subsidized care and thought that by putting there name on the centralized waiting list they didn't have to look for care themselves. Most of these family's are surprised when i tell them that it can take anywhere from a few days to over a month just to get in to see someone about subsidy.

These parents might not have realized just how hard it can be to find a daycare. Did you ask them why they waited so long?

[sunnydays]

Not necessarily a red flag, but be sure to ask why they are last minute when they come for an interview (or in a phone interview first). All kinds of things can happen...people can suddenly get a job offer and decide to go back to work earlier than planned, they could have had a daycare lined up that fell through (this happened to one of my clients...daycare provider cancelled on her 2 weeks before she was to return to work), etc. I would certainly not write them off.

[Trace of Angels]

I had that happen once. They had another home daycare lined up but that caregiver replaced them two weeks before the mom was set to go back to work with a full time child (my mom only needed part time at that time) They have been with me for 1.5 years and have been full time for over a year. The DCB and his parents are just amazing and I am so happy that it turned out that way. Maybe it was another provider that did this to them?

[playfelt]

I have had a few situations like this and besides the ones where the caregiver they had lined up bailed at the last minute the others have been more wishful thinkers. What I mean is they had just assumed that grandma would take the child and even though she had said no many times figured when it came right down to the wire she would change her mind and then when she didn't they had to scramble to find care.

In denial is for sure one of the reasons. The other one I have had is that they had visited a few places and were scared off by the holding fees and decided since it always seemed like there were places available that they would wait and save themselves some money since it is tight during mat leave.

But most in this case started about a month in advance to look. Which they may have done but have not found what they are looking for. For sure there is a chance they are being too picky or misunderstood how long it would take since you can only see about one place an evening maybe 2 and not all caregivers are free every night due to their own families so should have allowed more time. For sure worth interviewing but asking lots of how did we get to this point type of questions.

The biggest question is what are their plans long term for their child. I think the biggest reason I have found for last minute requests is that they are on the wait list for a daycare centre and as they reach the last month/two week point panic and look for alternate care. The problem is that as soon as an opening comes at the daycare of their choice you for sure is likely lose the child since centre care is their first desire.

[Momof4]

I agree, there are all kinds of reasons why people look for daycare 9 months in advance or 1 week before they need childcare. It's up to you to ask lots of questions to find out what happened if they were in childcare before and if it sounds fishy you could ask them for their old caregiver's name if worse comes to worse so you can chat with her.

[Robyn]

One of my best families started the day after I met them! They were just tired of trying to juggle grandparents and shortened work schedules and thought they would see if they could find someone in the area!
I have actually had more problems with families that seek me out way a head of time!

[Skysue]

I have a couple that I had a meeting with last Monday. They told me that night that they would like to start there child thus Monday. They were suppose to drop by Friday to pick up all the forms to fill out. They were a no show?

I emailed them tonight asking if they were able to print out the forms as I sent hard copies via email. Still no email back?

I am so confused, will I see them at 7:30am?

Inquiring minds want to know?

I have never had patents this relaxed!

What do you think ladies, no show?

[Momof4]

Oh Skysue, these people sound like they are really starting off badly........if they start. I can't wait to find out! Like you said, inquiring minds want to know. I'm wishing you good luck, and if they do show up in the morning I think you better lay down the law about rules and manners!

[sunnydays]

Skysue, I once had an interview on a Friday and the people said they wanted to start on the Monday. Stupidly, I said they could just bring the contract and money on the Monday as they were starting right away. In the meantime, I announced to all the parents that we would have a new little friend joining us (via email). Sunday evening I get an email saying that the mom has decided to stay home! I later saw this same child and his sister with two different caregivers around the neighbourhood. I think I dodged a bullet!

[Skysue]

Well Sunnydays at least you got a courtesy email. I got a no show and last week I turned away 2 possible clients.

So not cool!

[sunnydays]

Wow! That really sucks Skysue! Some people are sooooo rude! Can you contact the people you passed up last week and see if they are still looking? it hasn't been long, so they may not have found anything yet.

[Sandbox Sally]

I had a great client who contacted me a week before she was due back to work. I learned that they had care lined up for a while, then the care provider decided that she couldn't handle another child in her care, and dropped these clients.

[Skysue]

Wait for it, wait for it...the door bell rang at 9am and it was the Dad asking for paper work, he said with the Mom going back to work last week he was on duty for watching the kids and hes been all over the map. He said they will for sure be starting tomorrow morning!

I'm pretty laid back so I hope it all works out!

[Momof4]

That's pretty weird, Skysue. Be careful and make sure they know you run a business with rules and it's not just a big old joke!

[mom-in-alberta]

Regarding the original topic: one of my best families had a daycare cancel on them about a month before she was to return to work. Lucky for me, I guess. :P

And Skysue: watch out!! No email, no show, then "oh hey, can we have that paperwork?".... Almost sounds like they had found someone else or changed their mind, and then changed it back again? They could be great, but it's not a great start, if you ask me.