Am I nuts for doing this?

[BlueRose]

not really sure if I would do anything without meeting the family and child. What if you took the holding fee and had someone great show up at your door step for care the very next day but had to inform this person in the flesh that you are holding a spot for someone youve never met. I wouldn't take anything until meeting them face to face.

Personally I always keep advertising and interviewing until someone has signed a contract ~ so while I would allow the mother to book a interview at their earliest convenience I would make it clear that the first person to 'commit' will get the spot so if you are truly interested in securing daycare than arrange to get to town ASAP and tour some programs and commit to one but I would not be interviewing the grandma or making any commitments to them with a holding contract without meeting the ACTUAL clients cause there are just too many ways that can backfire!

good points.

Its not like my phone is ringing off the hook, but hopefully that will change soon.

If they really want the spot they will find a way to get here next weekend.

[Inspired by Reggio]

....Its not like my phone is ringing off the hook, but hopefully that will change soon.....

There is no reason THEY need to know that ~ send the impression you are in demand and before you know it you WILL be in demand!

IMO it is the same concept as why so many people covet diamonds ~ the industry creates the illusion that they are 'rare' and 'you are lucky to have one' and therefore people see great value in them and will save and scrimp and do what they need to do to get one when in reality the average person cannot tell the difference between a diamond and cubic zerconia .... same with why people are willing to spend a 1000 a ticket to see a 'famous performer' and would walk right past that same performer in the subway because they do not 'value' the street musician the same way because he is not 'in demand' like the famous dude ~ and they actually did a research project on that recently

You are just as good as a diamond or the famous musician and there is nothing wrong with letting people KNOW that by marketing yourself as such