Strangely High Call Volume

[cfred]

For the last couple weeks, I've been having an unusually high number of calls for infant spaces. Really, unusually high. I've had 6 calls since yesterday! Has anyone else experienced something like this lately? I'm feeling a bit suspicious of it, but couldn't really say why. I usually have a reasonable number of calls, but not like this.

All I can think when they call is 'good luck if Bill 143 passes!'

[5 Little Monkeys]

I'm in a completely different area than you but yes, I have had a huge increase in emails for the past 2-3 weeks or so. Most of them have been for infants with only for a few over the age of 1. It's come at a good time because I have a pt spot I decided I want to fill.

Spring time babies?? :)

[cfred]

I guess....it's been so strange! I'm currently full and have 2 families interested in my piddly little part time/temporary/casual space. So weird! One woman started to cry on the phone today. I'm meeting her tonight. Her daycare situation fell apart this week. She goes back to work next week...poor thing! It's THIS kind of thing that should be brought to the attention of the public....the nice things we do that a large centre wouldn't dream of!

I have to admit...I felt a bit like it was research, but I don't want to get all paranoid. It's just never happened like this in 13 yrs of business. With providers saying they've had ministry officials showing up at their doors unexpectedly, it just made me wonder.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Is it possible that some dcp's are already closing up because of this bill? Perhaps some of the infants who were on waiting lists at other dc's now have no dc and are on the search again?

[cfred]

Maybe you're right. Something's going on, that's for sure. My heart broke for this woman today! She just fell apart. I can help her in a few weeks when she can buy days from 2 people's maternity leaves. I can buy her maybe 6 months to look for something permanent. I thought she was going to kiss me through the phone! I don't know how the province is going to handle this if the bill passes. I can't imagine how hard it will be to find reliable care!

[5 Little Monkeys]

It breaks my heart when parents beg for a spot because they start work in a week, sometimes days!! It's situations like these that make parents take spots in crappy dc's or dcp's break ratio. The shortage of dc spots is terrible everywhere and something needs to be done :(

[cfred]

I'm glad I can at least help her out so she doesn't have to pick a crappy daycare. Yes, our daycare situation is pretty dire. I can tell it's going to be a teary interview :(

[5 Little Monkeys]

I hope it works out for both of you!

[bright sparks]

Its nuts actually. I am in Niagara Region and have had a dramatic increase of enquiries. Last year was so painfully slow, but I have for sure had by far more enquiries this year already than last year in total. I have had about 12 enquiries in the last 2 weeks and most of them are for infants.

[cfred]

I'd like to know where all these people were when I really needed them, lol! I'm now full till summer 2015, but can at least buy her some time so she hopefully won't have to settle.

[Daisy123]

I'm out in Durham region and I too have been getting a crazy amount of calls for infants! I know for a fact that one provider I know has already been downsizing and "cleaning house" so as to meet potential new rules. She actually gave a couple of her families my name. It occurred to me also that maybe there are daycares closing already or simply wary of taking infants right now. I've been taking 2,3 y olds the last couple of years but have decided to go back to babies next year because of this!

[cfred]

Jeez, I almost never get calls for 2 and 3 year olds! 90% of the time, it's infants. I wonder if that IS what's happening...people cleaning house or shutting down. I didn't get the impression from this woman that her arrangement was with a provider. I think it was just a neighbour. Either way, pretty crummy to be left dangling just a week before going back to work. I can't imagine the stress she's under.

[Teagansmom]

I'm in the durham region as well and have been getting a lot of inquiries for infants but all wanting to start in August&September.

[Daisy123]

That poor mom. I'd hate to be left hanging and rushed into such a big decision. I interviewed with a family last night and the mom was stressed. They want part time with a rotating schedule so centres weren't accepting them and other the providers they were looking at were all telling them that they only take 2 and up. Hmmm...

[Daisy123]

Teagansmom, most of the inquiries I'm getting are also for the September. I guess I'm lucky that that's when my spaces are opening up as I have 3 going to school.

[Teagansmom]

That's great news for you daisy123.....I need to fill spots now. Lol

[Fun&care]

Yep I'm in ottawa and although I haven't had quite as many calls as you cfred there definitely has been more demand in the last month. I'm turning lots of ppl away or putting them on my wait list and I can tell sometimes they are having a hard time...I'm so happy I stayed home to raise my own kids and do daycare because I would not want to be in their shoes and can only imagine the utter chaos and madness that will ensue should Bill 143 pass...man it would be ridiculous, parents would prob get so desperate they would dump their kids anywhere and that's pretty sad.

[Fun&care]

Jeez, I almost never get calls for 2 and 3 year olds! 90% of the time, it's infants. I wonder if that IS what's happening...people cleaning house or shutting down. I didn't get the impression from this woman that her arrangement was with a provider. I think it was just a neighbour. Either way, pretty crummy to be left dangling just a week before going back to work. I can't imagine the stress she's under.

Same here....I WISH I had calls for 2-3 olds. The odd one I do get, it's usually a child who is getting kicked out of their daycare because of behavior problems. Not kidding!

Honestly, the way the media has been spinning all these tragedies, I bet a lot of DCP are like " to h*ll with this". They want out because of LIABILITY I bet. Nobody want to be the next front page story. That and the fact that as mentioned a lot of DCP really think bill 143 is going to pass and are preparing.

[bright sparks]

...parents would prob get so desperate they would dump their kids anywhere and that's pretty sad.

I know it's terrifying but this is going to just make it easier for more illegal daycare to pop up because parents are left with no options.

[bright sparks]

I read through the 2nd reading again today and a lot of issues have been raised from providers and parents perspectives that is good but there really isn't any feedback from the people who will decide what eventually occurs. Madam or Mr Speaker are barely a Narrator for the debate.....not very eye opening

[cfred]

OMG....nicest woman in the world! She was lovely and that was a very easy interview. I'll be taking her on in a month or so when my new mothers have recovered some and are willing to give up some of their space. I told her though, in light of Bill 143, she should get out there interviewing and try to find something she's comfortable with so she can sign a contract and hopefully be 'grandfathered in'. She had no idea what Bill 143 is. There are still a lot of people who are unaware.

[ttremble88]

I am the opposite. 95% of my inquiries are for 2.5 - 3 year olds. Which is great, in its own way. But the reality of it is, once they head off in September to school, I will have to attempt to fill those spots quick. I also find that in this area, people wait last minute to look for care, with an immediate start date. So I may not even get a reply until mid-August about spots opening at the beginning of September....and I will have a few of them.

[wonders]

I haven't had an influx of calls but Im just as busy and have kids on a waiting list, I live in a small farm community where you have to drive at least 1/2-1 hr to find a "good" job. we have NO infant/toddler care and 1 licensed child care centre that is only open 7-6 and when you drive 1/2-1 hour to get to a for 8 or 9 and then work to 6 it just cant be done with a "centre" based child care. I dont know what parents will do if the bill passes. I am already full as are others in town and we just dont have the resources to care for these children....and it will be even worse when/if bill passes

[Momof4]

Cfred, I've given up worrying about the Bill beause everyone who contacts me is returning from mat leave and I have 4 children under age 2. I don't have ads up, yet I keep getting calls. They find my website or people recommend me. Some of my best friends in this business have made the same decision, to ride it out and conduct business as usual without worrying what may or may not happen. There has been such a huge outpouring of letters and surveys from Ontario parents and caregivers, they just have to make amendments to that bill. At least that's what I believe.