Got a new client! Finally!!!

[Littledragon]

So, I finally got a new client! They came for the interview, the little boy loved it, the parents were really impressed, I felt confident and went through my policies like I've done it a thousand times, everything went great. The dad sat on the couch and went through the policies, word for word, asked questions and seemed genuinely pleased. When he was done, he said, "I'm good" and then mom turned to me and said: "can he start on the second?"
I didn't really have time to say, "well, I have a few more interviews..." I NEED them so I said OK! Sounds great. Dad said he would fill out the forms, scan them and email them to me and EMT the deposit to me.

That was Wednesday.

Yesterday morning, I sent an email to mom asking to outline their pottie training techniques in the child profile and asked what time they would be coming on the July 2nd, because they never told me.

Haven't heard from them.

I don't know what to do!! I can't prepare for his arrival without their deposit, and I don't know if I should continue looking or not. They were my last spot to fill. I don't wasnt to start setting up interviews for nothing. I don't like doing them AT ALL.

Should I call them? How long should I wait?

Has this ever happened to you?

PS: Mom did call me on Wednesday and say her son wasn't feeling well, and I sent the email to her work email. I'm hoping (sort of - not the child's sake lol) that she was at home with her sick son and that's why she never replied to my email. But.....

[Play and Learn]

I ask for work and home emails, as well as home, work, and cell phone numbers.
I would give until Friday, then that's it. If they're really keen to sign on, they would have brought you the deposit.

I usually send out a reminder email along the lines of:
"I thank you for choosing my home daycare. I remind you that to secure your child's spot in my daycare, that I will need the forms and deposit in my hands by date, time. If not, I will continue with interviews. Thank you, and have a nice day."

Good luck!

[apples and bananas]

I would call them... You could always say that you wanted to make sure that her son was ok as you haven't heard from them. That way you can find out what's going on and you sound like you're checking up on her child.

I hate interviews too, but I always do them. Even if I'm not actively searching. My business is filled by word of mouth and I have a small community I pull from. I always think that even if I don't have room for this client and they don't fit in from a wait list they will always have someone ask them if they know any good daycares, if I've impressed them in the interview maybe they'll refer me.

[Inspired by Reggio]

I would call them and follow up to make sure everything is ok and maybe throw in the 'have had other parents contact me looking for an interview so if you want to move forward and secure the space I need the deposit by X date'?

I never consider a space 'filled' until the deposit is in my hand and contracts are signed ... and that comes out of my mouth automatically now in interviews because when I was 'new' to daycare administration I did the same things and 'assumed' that people said what they MEANT but in reality they were just stringing along to ensure that they could finish interviewing at other centres and so forth by telling you they wanted the spot - than when they were sure to have their 1st choice they would call the centre and say they'd changed their mind and I would have to go back to booking more interviews for spaces.

[sunnydays]

Yes, I learned the hard way not to consider a spot filled until I had that contract and deposit! I had an interview for an immediate spot, the family said they wanted to start Monday (this was Friday), so I said they could just bring the paperwork on the Monday since it was only two days away. Then I announced to my daycare families via email that we would have a new friend joining us on Monday so they wouldn't be surprised. On Sunday evening, I recieved an email saying the mom had decided to stay home with the kids and open her own daycare!!! I was so embarrassed to have told my current families only to have to retract it! Now, I don't tell anyone anything until I have that contract and deposit and I continue interviewing. I agree with the others...call them and check on the child and let them know they need to bring the deposit and contract this weekend or you will have to keep interviewing.

[Momof4]

I would keep interviewing and take the first family who signs the contract and is excited about taking the space. Some people are procrastinators and maybe this family thinks they have tons of time. I would send them an email reminding them that the space is open until the contract is signed and the deposit is paid and they are in danger of losing out at your daycare if they don't hurry because another family may beat them to the space.