Red Flags?

I'm just starting out and in the process of scheduling interviews. I had a lady email me and I asked if she read my website regarding hours, rates and payment. She replied, saying yes, and that she was good with all of it. A few hours later she emails saying she wants to meet and her husband wants to come and asks if "my rate is negotiable?" Clearly that was her husband. To which I simply reply "non negotiable. My rate includes my vacation and sick days, etc" (I don't charge for vacation) I haven't heard back from her. She sounded great at first but thing is my website said I was accepting 12 months and older and he would have just turned 11 month. Is this a red flag or am I reading into things too much? I was ceiling to meet even though he'll just be 11 months but need to make sure I'm doing it for the right reasons and not financial desperation. What's the best way to pre-screen?

I don't think there is a difference between 11 months and 12 months so I would not screen on that alone.

If they ask once if the price is negotiable it is fine if they ask again then there is an issue. Some people just always ask...it doesn't mean they are not willing to pay the fees or can't pay the fees they just ask. Rich people aren't rich because they throw there money around...most self made rich people are rich because they penny pinch. Some people are just in the mindset to always try and get the best price possible and if you don't ask you don't get it!

Obviously none of this matters if they don't call you back!

Sadly all you can do to prescreen is state in your initial contact the price, hours etc. Some families will waste your time and come for a lengthy interview to then tell you the hours or fees won't work. As annoying as it is...it's part of the business!

On the age the 12 month usually just refers to the fact you take the little ones whose moms are going back to work after mat leave (the assumption is one year of mat leave) so expect to get requests for about 9 months and up. As to the rates good for you for holding out and saying no. Yes that is a red flag that they think they can negotiate whatever is in their best interest.

Negotiating your rate is a big red flag for me. Don't cater to people, and bend your rules just to get a client. In the end, you'll feel resentful, as they take advantage of the situation.
The 11 months versus 12 months really doesn't make too much of a difference developmentally.

It amazes me that someone would actually ask if the wage was negotiable. I just can't seem to wrap my mind around that one. I have never been asked but certainly would be offended if someone did. As for the 11 months vs. 12 months - no different IMO. I have had people ask for me to take a 6 month old when my ad clearly stated over 2. They are desperate so they try.

I had a lady who kept emailing me pleading for me to take her children but she needed care at 6:45am and my day doesn't start until 7:30. She offered to pay whatever extra fee I wanted (I am sure she would have said no to a ridiculous amount though lol). She was desperate and had been given my name by 2 people so she really wanted to send her children to my daycare (without even meeting me). I kept saying no. She then told me that she was only looking for temporary care for 7 months (she hoped that by telling me that it was temporary that I might be interested for the short amount of time). I thought REALLY lady, you want me to go through all the work transitioning your baby (who she also told me was going to be hard to transition) and then start my work day earlier than before, throwing my families routine out the window only for you to stay for 7 months until that spot opens up in the center you want and then I am back to square one trying to fill a spot!! YA RIGHT!! lol
NEXT!!

No to the age of the child, I agree there is not much difference between 11 and 12 mos. Yes to the negotiation of the fees, I skip people trying to negotiate my fees or lose interest on people whose first and only question is my fee. If they don't value my service I don't want them and also could mean that they could have trouble to afford it and may have trouble to make payments in time.

We aren't rich, but we live in a very affluent area (long story). Millionaires have live in or live out nannies/mommy helpers. Starting fees for nannies here with little experience is $11 to $12/hr and could go up to $25/hr depending on experience and credentials.

People in high positions look into daycare centers first and when they don't find spots they go for other options (like home daycare). 4 of the 5 families I have could survive in a single income, and have never tried to negotiate my fees. There is actually 2 of those families that are paying $7.50 extra each for keeping their kids 30 min after my closing time, and they didn't fuss about it. Also 2 of those families have a parent temporarily not working and sending their child full time here since they believe in what I have to offer.