Stressing Out

[Vtorrance]

I have had 6 interviews that have all seemed to have gone well but nothing. Am I doing something wrong? They are all happy and pleased with the program and facility but then I get nothing. I am starting to get worried, my husband is switching careers soon and will be taking a pay cut for the first few months so we NEED this income. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[gramma]

Are you following up with the people you interview. If they've told you that they found something else, feel free to ask them if they would mind telling you the reason they didnt choose you. I've done this before and I just tell them that its beneficial for my business to know the reasons that I am not chosen so that I have the opportunity to make changes.

[Vtorrance]

Thanks for the advice. I email them a day or so after the interview to see if they have questions. I either don't hear back or they are really delayed in responding. No one has told me outright they are not signing up, but if they do I will take your advice and ask them why not me.

[monkeymama]

Have you researched other daycares in your area? I did this when I was first starting. Gives you a good idea of rates and what you can maybe tweak in your program to have an advantage. For myself, the centres in my area dont take kids until 18 months and most dcp dont want them under 2, so I advertise for the little ones. Its busy but Ive been turning people away now!

[BlueRose]

I am going through the same thing right now. Had a few interviews but no one signing on.

[Vtorrance]

I researched a lot about the prices to charge, hours of operation, policies, ages, etc and adjusted so I can compete. Its funny all my interviews have been for infants between 8 months and 1 yr. I am more than willing to take on the infants just wish someone would give me a chance.

[gramma]

You could also ask during interviews if they could let you know either way. that way you arent wondering. It could be anything, pets, location, hours, different philosophy on raising kids. dont get discouraged.

[Skysue]

When I do interviews I ask them out right if they have any reservations regarding my daycare. I ask them what are they looking for in a daycare provider, what sets me apart from the other daycares they have been to. If it's rates I usually tell them they need to ask themselves a very important question are you looking for quality childcare or cheap daycare? Then I list all the positive points I offer.

You need to interview them as much as they are interviewing you. An extremely confident interview speaks volumes.

Put yourself in your prospective parents shoes walk through your interview, are you covering all the aspects that you need to?

I went to many interviews myself where they wouldn't show me where my child was going to nap and that left me with the feeling of what else are they hiding? Even if it was nothing it still made me wonder. Also walk them through how a day would run for there child, list all your transferable skills.

Do you have kids of your own? It helps to have them around the time of interview so they get a sense of who you are through how they act.

Good luck!

[mimi]

Could be all the September babies parents are beginning to shop around for daycare. Don't be surprised if you get some calls from the lookie loo's in a few weeks. That happended to me. Had a great interview, said they loved me and then nothing. 4 weeks later with same enthusiasm she signed on. Give it some time.

[Momof4]

Go with all your strengths and show your enthusiasm but never, ever show desperation! Are you advertising 1 space? Don't tell the parents that you are new until they come to your house and meet you and let it come out naturally during the interview, but always tell them that you have several interviews and other interested families and YOU will be making a decision soon. That's all I can suggest based on the info you provided here so far.