Unwelcome guests...

[latte30]

Hello all,

Just had a quick question on how other daycare providers handle nasty parents during interviews? In my six years as a home daycare provider, I have for the most part had pleasant families come to my daycare. The other day I had a family come for a tour, and give nothing but "attitude" during the entire interview process. The first five minutes or so, I just put on my friendly face and answered their questions...after realizing they're going to be bitter and flat out rude for the rest of the tour/interview, I just wanted them OUT of my home. The child, his mother and myself were sitting in the infant area, while we conducted the interview, all the while her husband decided it's appropriate to tower over us the entire time, without saying anything more than a peep. I don't enjoy dealing with unpleasant personalities, and couldn't wait until they left. I received an email this morning that she would like to register her child....but there is unfortunately NO way I will have them welcome in my home again. How do you all speed up the interview process when you would like a family to just leave your home... and never return??

[dodge__driver11]

I had a family very similar to this once...The father was making comments about our tv's, pc's and things..and he was busy towering over the mom and child... The pair seemed tp be focusing on the wrong things in regards to the interview process, and it just went sour.

Anyway..I ended it as quickly as possible quickly ushered them to the door, and breathed a sigh of relief.

[BlueRose]

- don't ask them any questions, just do the tour, ask if they have questions answer them will as little details as possible. When they say they have no more questions, tell them you have other interview scheduled and you have to take your of your daycare kids before they get here (if during dc hours) or just say you have to get ready for them. Thank them for their time and walk them to the door. don't waste your time if you know you don't want them. But keep in mind that all the people you interview might know other parents looking for care, so if they feel rushed or that you don't care then it will give you bad word of month.
I would just do the whole interview for the practice and hope for good "word of month" at the end. But that's just what I would do.

[Dreamalittledream]

- don't ask them any questions, just do the tour, ask if they have questions answer them will as little details as possible. When they say they have no more questions, tell them you have other interview scheduled and you have to take your of your daycare kids before they get here (if during dc hours) or just say you have to get ready for them. Thank them for their time and walk them to the door. don't waste your time if you know you don't want them. But keep in mind that all the people you interview might know other parents looking for care, so if they feel rushed or that you don't care then it will give you bad word of month.
I would just do the whole interview for the practice and hope for good "word of month" at the end. But that's just what I would do.

Just realized I just pretty much repeated what you said...oops sorry!

[Dreamalittledream]

Kind of reminds me of my 'other' job...interviewing applicants...going through the motions when you just know they are not a good fit. Just remember, no matter how much you dislike them and want them to just leave, do it with grace...because negativity from one person can go a long way toward ruining a business. If you simply say to them (in a phone call after), I interviewed many applicants and enjoyed meeting you, however, I just can't accomodate you right now. Perhaps in the future they will say to their nice friends looking for Childcare...we met with this great person/saw an awesome set up...

[Momof4]

It's easy to think of what you could have done after the fact. I would have asked the father to take a seat and even pulled a chair up for him and stood there until he sat down. I also would no have asked them any questions about themselves and shortened my spiel about my daycare routines tremendously. I've had interviews with overbearing parents before and try to get them out of here in 1/2 an hour because I know I'm crossing them off my list.

Just send an email back to them to tell them you have had other interviews with families who are interested in your program and have to make a decision so you wish them the best of luck in their search for home daycares, but that you don't think you share enough childrearing philosophies to be a good match.

[mom-in-alberta]

Yup... shorten the tour, the spiel, everything. "Any-questions-no-great-to-meet-ya-buhbye!" Lol
But keeping it courteous and professional. You never know where a referral will come from!
And I always end with letting them know that I have other interested parties. Gives me an out...

[mimi]

Being professional and courteous with some can be difficult, but it is necessary in our "word of mouth" business. My neighbor also does d/c. She is a moody, loudmouth woman. I have heard her "kick out" a few perspective clients over the 3 yrs she's been in business. Her difficult nature has spread through my local d/c community.

[busydaycarelady]

Oh my! I feel for you. I have had a couple interviews that were uncomfortable .......my worst is mom was okay-ish but dad took it upon himself to look trough my kitchen drawers, cupboards.....even walked down the hall and looked inside the 'off limits to dayhome kids' areas like MY bedroom, office and daughters bedroom because he "just needed to make sure I wasn't a crazy person with swords hanging above my bed".....um wth? At that point I nicely told him those are MY PERSONAL areas, not for dayhome use and asked him to kindly stay out of them. At which point he got angry and stormed out. It's always easier to see what we could've done AFTER the fact. NOw, if I have an interview that is uncomfortable/people are being rude/trying to intimidate me I try to quickly do a tour and not encourage further conversation without being impolite. Then if they want to send their kids after this is all done andI still don't feel good about it, I tell them very nicely that I have had a few other interviews and will be offering the spot to people in the order they were interviewed or else that I no longer have the position open. Sorry you had to experience this! HOpe you find a great fit for your spot soon!

[Spixie33]

I have been there ! Interviews where you just know within a minute of opening your front door that this would not work and these are not the right family or kid for the daycare.

I think everyone's advice is spot on. You still have to do the interview and answer any questions they may have, you may even have to throw in a courtesy question or two their way but I would also keep all answers shorter than usual. I might talk in great detail about our days and crafts and learning activities to parents I want but keep it very concise for parents I don't and just say that we do crafts a couple of times a week.

Sometimes when I talk to parents who seem like a bad fit - there are moments during the conversation where I do try to feel them out and make sure I didn't jump to a rash decision based on appearances etc but generally I have never changed my mind.

I would be very polite, concise, thank them for their time.

I have also been contacted by 'red flag' parents saying they wanted to sign up but I usually email them and say what a pleasure it was to meet them and how adorable little Joey was but I have chosen another family or think that our schedules just wouldn't work etc but that I will keep them in mind if another space should open down the road.

It is tough. I hate wasting the hour knowing it isn't going anywhere but I also don't want them to bad mouth my daycare or myself if they get offended so it is a 'grin and bear it' situation