Family references

[Littledragon]

Have you ever asked a family for a reference?

I have an interested family that I'm not 100% about. I know the person who owns her current daycare and I'm tempted to ask about them. Good or bad idea? Should I ask the family first?

[Inspired by Reggio]

Do you mean the child has been in the care of another provider and is changing daycares and you want to 'follow up' with the previous provider with a reference on the child?

Yes ~ I have done this. I always ask a client WHY they are changing childcare to get their perspective and than ask for the previous provider contact as a 'follow up' coming at it more so from a perspective of wanting to find out how the child was coping in group care and what strengths and challenges the child might have transitioning to a new program and so forth to help make a more educated choice if my program can meet the child's needs or not.

[momof4inpink]

Do you mean the child has been in the care of another provider and is changing daycares and you want to 'follow up' with the previous provider with a reference on the child?

Yes ~ I have done this. I always ask a client WHY they are changing childcare to get their perspective and than ask for the previous provider contact as a 'follow up' coming at it more so from a perspective of wanting to find out how the child was coping in group care and what strengths and challenges the child might have transitioning to a new program and so forth to help make a more educated choice if my program can meet the child's needs or not.

I personally wished I would of done this as well, but I was leary to ask the parents I have had several potential clients wanting to pull thier child from a local dayhome provider, and of course I have no idea whom this person was. However I declined (basically refused) to take them on as clients, as the parents went on about this provider in a very very negative way. I thought to myself "wow" that is awful to be speaking about another dayhome provider that way.They may have had the right to complain about thier childcare provider, but it really rubbed me the wrong way. I also know that when you are being intervied by a potential company, or future boss, one of the main things you learn is NOT to bash your previous employer. I feel that same respect should also be followed for switching chidcare providers in the same area Yes it is true that not all parents and childcare providers mesh together, but bashing the previous childcare provider rings a huge "RED FLAG" for myself.

[Momof4]

I have all my current families on my resume and a couple of my past clients too. I ask their permission of course and just list their full names and phone numbers. I think they have only received calls from a couple of people that I interviewed over the years. Not everybody calls your references. When families leave I ask for a letter of reference and some do it and some never get around to it but I have it with my interviewing portfolio. Also, you can ask your clients to put testimonials on your website.

[Inspired by Reggio]

With the 'reference' are you meaning asking a current/past client to give YOU a reference for advertizing purposes or you asking if it is a good idea to ask the prospective CLIENT to provide contact info of the previous or past providers as part of your interviewing process?

I answered initially based on the former cause that was the way I read the post ~ it sounded like you have a perspective client whose child has been in daycare and you were wanting to know the 'background' on why they are leaving before committing to accept the child.

If you are meaning asking for people to give YOU reference on your business and program ~ than yes that is a good idea too I regularly ask my clients to do this for me typically as they are 'leaving' with the written references so that I can keep my references up to date as well as asking them to be my 'phone' ones anytime I am in the process of filling a space.

[Inspired by Reggio]

....Yes it is true that not all parents and childcare providers mesh together, but bashing the previous childcare provider rings a huge "RED FLAG" for myself.

Oh I totally agree with you on this front ~ this would be a red flag for me as well a parent putting ALL the blame on the provider with a big ole list of complaints ~ ummm and why was your child there so long??? So unless it was a provider known in my community to have multiple complaints and high turnover and the kid was still 'wee' so that it was a short term thing before they realized they had made a mistake in trusting the person I tend to be wary too of anyone 'bashing' their previous provider.

I have had a few older children who joined me because the child outgrew the previous program aka the provider admitted they did not like the over 3 age group and the kid was getting 'bored' and had behaviour as a result or they moved and it was no longer doable drop off and pick up and so forth ... only had one client who had truly negative things to say about the previous provider ability to work with the child or parents for solutions and they laid it on the line that their child could be 'spirited' and they needed help with stopping the behaviour and I took a chance cause parents were willing to do whatever I suggested to make things better for the child and themselves ~ I did not bother calling that provider that time because I figured the parents were sharing what they had 'done wrong' as well in that relationship ~ they were here three years and the child make leaps and bounds and well some of the stories that the child told about the previous provider I can see why the child was misbehaving in the program ... she was overtired cause they did not 'rest' and she was under stimulated and bored cause most of the program was about 'errand running' things for the provider family.

[Mamma_Mia]

Do you mean the child has been in the care of another provider and is changing daycares and you want to 'follow up' with the previous provider with a reference on the child?

I wanted to ask the same thing...I have a interview today and mom told me during the phone interview that she isn't happy with the dcprovider and want them out ASAP....now I know that's HER story but I'm curious to hear the other side of the story "just in case" but the dcprovider doesn't know they're looking for other care!!

[kidlove]

hmmmm! I would ask the family first. not for permission but, have they told you they are coming from another place? ask why they are leaving? THEN, call the provider and get her comments. you dont have to ask the family if you can call the provider, but for sake of causing huge issues between them and the other provider, I would feel around to see if they have informed her of looking for other care first. Always checl up on people who are moving from one to another.....you can learn ALOT!!!!!

[Inspired by Reggio]

Hmmm ~ personally I would have a really hard time taking on a client who was already in care with someone and was looking to leave and had not informed the current provider of that fact ~ if you are not HAPPY with the service you need to TELL your provider and try to resolve the issue cause most things can always be 'resolved' if both parties just communicate openly and honestly ... IMO a client leaving should never come as a 'shock' to the provider unless it is because of a lay off or some other unforeseen reason that they have to give minimal notice

IMO if the client is not 'communicating' with the provider about issues that are making them unhappy enough to consider leaving WHY would I want to take that client on ~ cause whats to stop them from doing the same thing to me?

The clients I have taken on from previous providers had informed their provider it was 'not working' and leaving was basically a mutual thing ~ I am not sure I could do it any other way and feel 'good' about the relationship starting that way .... goes back to that karma thing about treating others better than I want to be treated!

[Mamma_Mia]

IMO a client leaving should never come as a 'shock' to the provider unless it is because of a lay off or some other unforeseen reason that they have to give minimal notice

Oh yeah I agree.....she said it's a shock in a way because this provider thinks shes god's gift and after the mom bringing up issues/concerns dcp "laughed me off"! Mom did tell me she is going to give 2 weeks notice (per contract) but wants to get moving ASAP to get her kids out. kwim?

From what mom told me the dcp has 4 school aged + 4 her own school aged and one 2yr old.
Mom's kids are a 5 & the 2yr old. Dcp sends all the kids outside to play in the yard while shes inside reading a book, napping, talking on the phone etc. 2yr old comes home each day with a new cut, bruise, bump from the older children beeing too rough and dcp doesn't know how any of it happened. The 5yr is now starting to tell mom what happens during the day. Mom's 2nd biggest worry is that starting Sept all but her 2yr old will be in school and the 2yr old will be home alone with the dcp all day.