Just plain odd, not judging.

In your opinion, have parents just lost the ability to tell you what's really going on in regards to the daycare selection process? The reason I ask, is I thought I was pretty good at reading people; and lately, I can't bank on my thoughts anymore in some instances...

I had one mom show up and rant and rave about how she loved my handbook and contract, that she would be checking my references and talking with her husband and it would be a go.....

She has ignored my 2 attempts to contact her... I haven't heard from her since. No, I don't normally chase people but she seemed so pleased, and she said "I'll be in touch to take the final steps"
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ETA: I choose clients, just as much as they are choosing me and I have "rejected those" I don't feel are a good fit who wanted to come, but as I said, lately people are just confusing.

OMG. I just mentioned the same thought to a friend. I think I'm getting old and the new generation has a different kind of childcare visions or philosophies. Perhaps sometimes wrong but, I cannot get it. It used to be easier, now it really takes time to explain and leave it all on the table before they move on and choose a centre.

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Originally Posted by dodge__driver11

In your opinion, have parents just lost the ability to tell you what's really going on in regards to the daycare selection process? The reason I ask, is I thought I was pretty good at reading people; and lately, I can't bank on my thoughts anymore in some instances...

I had one mom show up and rant and rave about how she loved my handbook and contract, that she would be checking my references and talking with her husband and it would be a go.....

She has ignored my 2 attempts to contact her... I haven't heard from her since. No, I don't normally chase people but she seemed so pleased, and she said "I'll be in touch to take the final steps"
........


ETA: I choose clients, just as much as they are choosing me and I have "rejected those" I don't feel are a good fit who wanted to come, but as I said, lately people are just confusing.

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Just a thought but maybe the generation raised on endless "good job"'s regardless of how little effort they put and how much they sucked is the generation that walks around praising everyone without meaning it at all. If you are raised on endless empty praise maybe you just instinctively praise people on everything.

This is in NO WAY saying you don't deserve all that praise, just pointing out that some people gush on and on face to face then walk away and don't look back. I can't help but wonder if this is potentially why.

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Originally Posted by Peacefulbird

OMG. I just mentioned the same tough to a friend. I think I'm getting old and the new generation has a different kind of childcare visions or philosophies. Perhaps sometimes wrong but, I cannot get it. It used to be easier, now it really takes time to explain and leave it all on the table before they move on and choose a centre.

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I just don't get it. Just say it...All together now...."I. Have. Chosen. Another. Daycare."

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Originally Posted by Lee-Bee

Just a thought but maybe the generation raised on endless "good job"'s regardless of how little effort they put and how much they sucked is the generation that walks around praising everyone without meaning it at all. If you are raised on endless empty praise maybe you just instinctively praise people on everything.

This is in NO WAY saying you don't deserve all that praise, just pointing out that some people gush on and on face to face then walk away and don't look back. I can't help but wonder if this is potentially why.

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It was just weird. You answer is possible.

I've also encountered some families who drag out the whole process (one right now in fact, contacted me the same day after the interview to say they want the spot and will bring a deposit... almost 2 weeks ago!) It's a Sept spot, so maybe they feel no urgency. My other thought is that maybe people want to cover their butt by having the spot held while they continue to interview at other daycares. The last 2 families that took weeks to get paperwork/deposit in order turned out to be awesome families that were just busy and not prioritizing it because it was well ahead of the start date.

One friendly question I always ask is; how many homes have you visited? When their answer is you're the first or third; I just tell them to take all the information they want an to keep searching and only contact me when they're really sure if my services suit their needs. (No comitments from my side and no comitments from their side either; no false expectations, or I do not feel used for just keep a spot in case they do not find another that suits them better) I actually encourage them to keep visiting homes and also centres; because, only seeing the rest they will feel that they've made the best decision that suits their needs.

I do not have a big hand book, just 4 pages of my contract explaining all the necessary. It worked best in my case.

I noticed the new generation now used a lot facebook or Google searches. And it seems easy to post online a handbook so at least when they come they have already read it. (I still trying to figure it out; if that would help easing my interviews and also the decision making process). I'm also not sure if that would help, it is a new generation and I forgot to keep up with it. My computer skills are poor.

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Originally Posted by Peacefulbird

One friendly question I always ask is; how many homes have you visited? When their answer is you're the first or third; I just tell them to take all the information they want an to keep searching and only contact me when they're really sure if my services suit their needs. (No comitments from my side and no comitments from their side either; no false expectations, or I do not feel used for just keep a spot in case they do not find another that suits them better) I actually encourage them to keep visiting homes and also centres; because, only seeing the rest they will feel that they've made the best decision that suits their needs.

I do not have a big hand book, just 4 pages of my contract explaining all the necessary. It worked best in my case.

I noticed the new generation now used a lot facebook or Google searches. And it seems easy to post online a handbook so at least when they come they have already read it. (I still trying to figure it out; if that would help easing my interviews and also the decision making process). I'm also not sure if that would help, it is a new generation and I forgot to keep up with it. My computer skills are poor.

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I take the same approach as you peaceful, but I am just wondering why the time would be taken to "lead someone on." It's like a bad date er something I mean, why not just say "you seem super but I don't want to put all my eggs into one basket so, I am going to keep my options open"

As to the handbook thing, I email mine out prior to an in person meeting, I try not to waste my time with people who are just "daycare surfing" and bring in those who are truly serious; But even this tactic is failing me. So I am unsure of how to further streamline this process.

We just have to remind ourselves that the spot is not taken till the deposit is paid and it does not matter what nice things they say to us while visiting the daycare and just say NEXT .....

I wonder Dodge is it okay to call the parents to check with them if they still need daycare?
No harm calling them!

I prescreen with a phone interview first(about 20-30 minutes long) and ask where they are in their search at this point. I also ask if they are on waiting lists for a centre, and how many centres, as it gives me an indicator that they might leave after a few months. If they are only in the beginning stages of the search, I ask them to read my website/policies etc, and come for a visit after they have done many visits elsewhere. I know it sounds wierd, but I don't want to waste my time. I know I provide a quality care environment, and I only want to see them when they are serious. I might lose customers with this approach, who knows, but i haven't had one walk away in over 2.5 years. Most hand me a deposit the night of the interview, or within 24 hrs. Nothing is guaranteed until a deposit/contract are in hand, so I keep interviewing, and don't dwell on what might have been.

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Originally Posted by Van

I wonder Dodge is it okay to call the parents to check with them if they still need daycare?
No harm calling them!

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I know it is not harm. But also it can give them a message of desesperation; which works negatively in your end. Just forget about this family and carry on. If they come back great if not then you've at least haven't invested more of your valuable time. NEXT.:)

I'm experiencing same bad dates this past week or two. I don't follow up. If they want to proceed, they will. I've signed up parents who took weeks to decide and risked losing spot. It's a slow game at times. And others I've had sign up immediately at first interview. I don't blame the ones that take forever - it's a tough decision leaving a child with basically a stranger.
I find September spots almost harder than other months to fill as there's so many openings at centres etc. Apparently the family that interviewed yesterday are dropping deposit off this week. I'll see. I keep advertising till it clears the bank and signed contract in my hands.

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Originally Posted by Peacefulbird

I know it is not harm. But also it can give them a message of desesperation; which works negatively in your end. Just forget about this family and carry on. If they come back great if not then you've at least haven't invested more of your valuable time. NEXT.:)

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yeah - it is better to move on , and just put it down to live and learn

*facepalm* and sometimes it's my fault! I was contacted today by the family I've been waiting on-they were still waiting on me to send a revised contract (to add a clause about vacation discount). Yikes, hopefully they don't think poorly of me, glad they asked and still want the spot!

(I noticed the new generation now used a lot facebook or Google searches. And it seems easy to post online a handbook so at least when they come they have already read it.)

I noticed that too.I would send them my web site and that way expect them to read it and find everything they need to know about me and my day care.Also to cut the time during their first interviews.This way we would focus on seeing each other personally already knowing whatever is important,and they could ask any questions based on the web site or if they are concerned about something in the content of the web site.Most of the people are fine with everything,some read,some don't even ask many questions even if they did not read it through.The most important questions I ask and answer for them ,so we don't have any confusions later:)
(Though,sometimes they forget the rules later anyway)
Some parents,and that is how I know they are not going to be good candidates,like to ask all the questions that are already in my hand book with answers..I feel like they think that I just copy and pasted all the content and made the hand book based on somebody else's ideas:)) It feels so weird,like they are testing my honesty?! Those people never chose to bring their child,and I was always grateful for that..less stress in the future for sure.
I also had some parents who would look at me like they are trying to get into my brain while I speak and find something hidden or catch me lying or something:)
Ahh,all the fun stuff we go through having this business:)

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Originally Posted by kindredspirit

*facepalm* and sometimes it's my fault! I was contacted today by the family I've been waiting on-they were still waiting on me to send a revised contract (to add a clause about vacation discount). Yikes, hopefully they don't think poorly of me, glad they asked and still want the spot!

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LOL that is funny , we are just human after all, I am glad they got back to you and are taking the spot :)

Lay out expectations clearer.

1. Pre-screen with phone interview and check that their hours, location, start date, discipline views, all in line with yours before you meet face to face to save everyone wasted time.

2. After pre-screen, if you really want them, if they meet all your criteria, if their need for care lines up with your vacancy, invite for interview.

3. Be really clear at interview that you will not allocate a space to them without a signed contract and deposit - plus anything else you need.

4. At the end of the interview, wrap up with a clear dealine - for you to offer the space if that's how you work, or with them to decide if that's how you work.

5. Once they leave, follow up with e-mail "Thank you for coming out to meet me today. My final interview for potential clients for this space is Sunday morning, and I will be letting everyone know within 48 hours. If in the meantime you decide to sign up with another provider, please drop me a line and let me know so I can remove you from the list. Thanks."