I don't understand.....

why people inquire about daycare spots and then drop off the face of the earth. I am so frustrated! I have had several people send me emails asking about my available space, one even drove an hour and a half each way to come meet me. I have not heard from any of them again. I had an email on Friday, I responded within 20 minutes, heard nothing. I called and left a message after work, heard nothing all weekend. I emailed again this afternoon and still nothing. Why even bother making contact is you aren't going to follow through!!!!!!!! UGHHHH!!!!!

OMG I hate that so much. I find it very frustrating as well. It could be other providers looking for info. I had several emails all asking right off the bat how much is the daily rate. I responded with " i would be more than happy to discuss rates with you during a phone or personal interview" and never heard back from any of them.

When a parent contacts and then disappears, I do not try to make contact with them. If I am going to have to chase them down right from the beginning, this is not a good sign. Hang in there and the right people will come to you!

I never write back more than to answer the original email. Even if people come for the interview and I never hear from them again I never write to them. You don't want people with bad manners or who are inconsiderate in your daycare anyway. The next family will be nicer!

I get atleast 2 emails a day inquiring daycare so I am lucky to have so much interest but I also don't have time to chase people down. I had a ft spot open for September, I filled it within a couple days last week and those that emailed or phoned from my waiting list are just getting back to me...you snooze, you lose!

I usually make an add and wait gor the email to come. It took me about a month and half to get my first client... So don't give up hope :) they will come. I also try and put all the information that parents will need to know about prices, hours qualifications ect too. That way when they respond all I need to know are the ages if the kids and the hours needed and when they'd like to meet. Cuts the emailing process down I find. When they email just email them back and wait, if they don't respond, move on to the next person. I once didn't have a prospective client email me for 2 days after I emailed her.

So out of the blue last night, the lady that drove an hour and half for an interview back in March, called me last night. She is going back to work on Monday. We made arrangements for her to bring the deposit and paperwork this morning at 10:30. She didnt show up until 11:45 because her friend insisted that she go see another "babysitter" that was cheaper. She was like no way, I will pay more and go where i am comfortable so she brought my deposit and paperwork!!!! It was the first time I had seen the baby, she will be transitioning tomorrow and Fri, then starting full time on Monday.

Wow, we sure can't write anything off in this business can we. Doesn't always make sense to us but great when it works out in our favour.

jodaycare, nothing like this parent leaving it to the last minute. Congratulations on filling your spot. I would watch this parent though. People who are not courteous with time is a big pet peev with me and a deal breaker.

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Originally Posted by mimi

jodaycare, nothing like this parent leaving it to the last minute. Congratulations on filling your spot. I would watch this parent though. People who are not courteous with time is a big pet peev with me and a deal breaker.

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The only reason she left it till the last minute is she was trying to find a place to live since she was coming from out of town and she only secured her house last week and moved in last weekend. Yes I will be watching her regarding lateness. It is a huge pet peeve of mine as well.

This same parent informed me last Thursday that she had been approved for subsidy but does not have a space yet. Funny enough the child has not been here since Mom told me. She had a runny nose on Thursday and Mom kept her home on Friday because she wasn't eating or sleeping well but then she kept her home again today. Mom said that baby seemed better but now Mom was tired out. Hmmmm?

[QUOTE=jodaycare;4585 4]why people inquire about daycare spots and then drop off the face of the earth. I am so frustrated! I have had several people send me emails asking about my available space, one even drove an hour and a half each way to come meet me. I have not heard from any of them again. I had an email on Friday, I responded within 20 minutes, heard nothing. I called and left a message after work, heard nothing all weekend. I emailed again this afternoon and still nothing. Why even bother making contact is you aren't going to follow through!!!!!!!! UGHHHH!!!!![


THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME LAST WEEK, ONE PARENT EVEN TOOK THE BUS FOR TWO HRS TO GET TO MY HOUSE, GIVE ME HER ASSURANCE THAT SHE WOULD BE BRINGING THE CHILD, TEXT ME AGAIN TO REASSURE ME, TO THIS DAY NO AVAIL.

So the Mom I was talking about earlier told me on Tuesday that she got a spot at a centre and the baby will start there this coming Monday. Now I am wondering if she was visiting the centre last week and that is why she was away all week. It is going to be horrible summer financially, I will be down to 2 full timers, 1 that only comes two weeks a month and one that comes 2 days a week!