Interview tonight

[mommylove]

HI EVERYONE ANOTHER QUESTION:

Advice I have an interview tonight AND did my pre screening interview and really want this lil boy....that being said all my interviews have been awful lol first i was doing them with the kids here (big mistake) then I did one without prescreening and it was defiantly not a good fit ( mom was all over the place ) So tonight I feel like I need a home run and to finally fill my last spot please any advice that you think would be helpful would be awesome im all ears!!!!

[Sandbox Sally]

I always invite them to sit, and ask straight off, "ok, so I am sure you have a million questions. Let's start with those". This breaks the ice. Most moms have a list. I have a list too. So we go through all of those, checking off what they answer as we speak. Then I offer a tour, and talk about our day.

At the end, I tell them it was very nice to meet them, and I will email my handbook and references that evening.

THE END. Good luck!!

[Spixie33]

I usually do a friendly welcome,
Offer them a seat
Make small talk about the baby and how they are doing
Then ask them if they would like to see our backyard
Then ask if they would like to have a tour of our daycare space
I show them the daycare /play room and explain about different centres as we go along or talk about my program
Then I offer them a seat in the playroom (usually on the floor) and ask them what questions they might have
Then I show them my newsletter, some of our learning materials, my daily communication and my schedule. I also hand them a handbook and let them take it home to read over because it will likely answer most of their questions.
If I am interested in the family...I tell them about registration and how i would need a signed contract and deposit back etc.


I would suggest doing a tour and talking about your space and what kind of days their child would have there. Paint a picture for them - mentally.

And talk about what makes your daycare awesome. Try to rehearse mentally beforehand about what points you want to be sure to mention.

Also...be sure to pay attention to the actual child during the interview. a lot of parents complain that interviews are all business and the provider did not express interest in the actual child.

Good luck

[Crayola kiddies]

Hi .... I have a totally separate daycare space from my personal space so the parents enter right into the daycare so after the hellos and introductions I usually start by showing them around the playroom and talking about how our day goes. what we do and in what order. we go over the kinds of foods offered, nap time routines and diaper changes, we talk about the childs routine. if the child is mobile then I usually get out a few age appropriate toys for the child to amuse themselves while we talk. but yes always acknowledge the child and use their name frequently. I tell them what supplies they are responsible for bringing. I ask the parent a few questions about things that I haven't asked already. (generally I will already know when they want to start and what the required hours are, as well as any allergies) and then I ask them if they have any questions about anything I haven't covered. I always have my police check and first aid\cpr cert on the table as well I have a policy book and contract and reference page ready to go in case I feel they would be a good match and also in case they ask for it. by the time they leave you should have a feeling of whether they liked you and are generally interested or still in the scouting out phase. I usually ask where they are in their interview process (.have they done many interviews). good luck and let us know how it went

[mommylove]

Is it odd that she is waiting until she puts her son down to come? she coming @ 7pm her suggestion not mine? Crayola kiddies I love your end suggestion of asking where they are in their interview process that way your not left wondering. Thank you all for the great advice the more I read the more confident I get so thanks

[Crayola kiddies]

yes I would want the child to be there ...can you suggest she come earlier so that the child is present. most providers like the whole family to come. I have had two interviews where just the mom came and I never took either one. the children I have accepted are ones where the whole family came to the interview...

[sunnydays]

I always ask the parents to come with the child and with both parents present! I had one family show up without their child ( a 2 year old) and when I asked, they said it was because they were worried he might cry the whole time and they wouldn't be able to talk...ummm...NEXT! After that I always specify that they need to bring the child. I want to see how they interact with the baby/child and meet both parents to make sure both are a good fit. If I see the mom not allowing the baby to crawl more than a foot away from her, that shows me that she is going to be difficult because she will not let go of the child easily...the child will have a hard time adjusting, etc. I think it's vital to meet the child!

[mommylove]

Hmmm.....Maybe is it possible that she just wants to get out of the house without the little one? I asked her if her husband was coming and she replied "no Id like to come on my own if that is ok" at the time I thought nothing of it so said sure thats fine.
I could ask her I guess but she made it sound like she perfered to come alone

[Skysue]

Hi .... I have a totally separate daycare space from my personal space so the parents enter right into the daycare so after the hellos and introductions I usually start by showing them around the playroom and talking about how our day goes. what we do and in what order. we go over the kinds of foods offered, nap time routines and diaper changes, we talk about the childs routine. if the child is mobile then I usually get out a few age appropriate toys for the child to amuse themselves while we talk. but yes always acknowledge the child and use their name frequently. I tell them what supplies they are responsible for bringing. I ask the parent a few questions about things that I haven't asked already. (generally I will already know when they want to start and what the required hours are, as well as any allergies) and then I ask them if they have any questions about anything I haven't covered. I always have my police check and first aid\cpr cert on the table as well I have a policy book and contract and reference page ready to go in case I feel they would be a good match and also in case they ask for it. by the time they leave you should have a feeling of whether they liked you and are generally interested or still in the scouting out phase. I usually ask where they are in their interview process (.have they done many interviews). good luck and let us know how it went

My interviews go pretty much the same as crayolakiddies but I also have a check list of questions that I like to ask. I also start the interview by telling the parents all about me and how I came to be doing daycare. One question that is good is to ask what method of discipline they use so you would be on the same page. If the interview goes well tonight tell her you do require to meet her husband and child before enrollment.

Good luck!

P.S the more you are prepared for the interview the better it will go. I also never sit during my interviews!

[mommylove]

thank you sky sue..........great advice thanks and i will let u all know.