Overreacting? Newbie in need of perspective!

[Mondaygirl]

Technically I am not a daycare provider yet because I haven't even landed a client yet, but I have already had a negative experience. Short version: this woman at my girls' school needs care for her 7 month old in September, when her maternity leave ends. It would be 2 days a week, starting at 6 am. And she'd also need before & after school care for her 4 year old daughter. I told her during a phone interview on Saturday that my hours were 7.30 to 5.30, that I would be willing to take them at 6.30 because it was only 2 days a week, but no earlier than that, and that I don't do b & a school care so she would be charged for a full day at the part time day rate (less than 4 days a week is 45 per day, 4 or 5 days is 35 per day).
She was hemming and hawing and I said something along the lines of "yeah, sorry it won't work out, but good luck". She asked me to send her some info anyway, so I did.

Today after school she comes up to me and says:"I have to pass, it is just too expensive. For 3 hours that would be 45 dollars, that is just too much. You would get 15 dollars an hour! That is half of my pay, and I don't get bad pay! I can get 7 hours of care at the hospital (where she's a nurse) for 25 dollars!"
I told her I don't charge 15 dollars an hour, I just don't do b & a school care so I would charge her for a full day. She wasn't even listening. So I wished her good luck and she walked off.

But now I find myself worrying about this woman spreading misinformation about my daycare. Well, my hopefully soon-to-be daycare. If she tells moms at the school that I charge 15 dollars an hour, nobody is even going to talk to me about care for their child. And she seems that kind of passive-aggressive sort of person.
I don't know, the whole thing just makes me feel icky. Am I overreacting? I am completely brand new to this, and I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid. I decided not to discuss my drop in rate with her on the phone and work something out because I didn't have a good feeling about her. Now at least I know that was right on the nose!

Ugh. People are so hard to deal with. They are just never happy.

[playfelt]

i think if she told someone that they wouldn't believe her and tell her she had it wrong or must have misunderstood like the fee would be $15 for the 3 hours.

A lot of caregivers do not do before/after because it just doesn't pay. It is also common for the kids to be in two different places because of that as in the baby with you full time and the older child in a program specific to school age kids.

[Mondaygirl]

Thank you, Playfelt, your reply gave me exactly the perspective that I needed. I have learned so much already from reading on these boards! Your replies really stand out, and I am especially appreciative that you consistently take the time to reply to newbie posts, like mine. Thank you!

(Also, I have to add.... felt is one of my favorite crafting materials!)

[playfelt]

Thank you, Playfelt, your reply gave me exactly the perspective that I needed. I have learned so much already from reading on these boards! Your replies really stand out, and I am especially appreciative that you consistently take the time to reply to newbie posts, like mine. Thank you!

(Also, I have to add.... felt is one of my favorite crafting materials!)

Thanks for the kind words. What I like about felt is the toddlers can't rip it! Nothing worse than making a nice file folder game only to have the pieces torn so that you can't play it anymore and all the hard work is for naught.

When we have people complaining about the fees such as for a child only needing before/after you need to explain to them that in Ontario we are only allowed to care for 5 children at a time. Therefore you need to be paid for each space in your daycare regardless of how much of the day the space is used if you want to earn enough to make it worthwhile.

[mommylove]

Monday girl......How did your other interview go?......And I wouldnt worry about her at all you made it clear that you dont do before and after care thats all that matters........

[Mondaygirl]

The other interview went well, I thought. They sent an email with a few questions about the handbook, I replied, and then things went silent. I sent a follow up email (along the lines of "Hello? Anyone home?") and after 2 days I got a response. They loved me, loved the house, loved what we could offer their baby. But the distance was an issue, and there were a couple of daycare providers down the street that were cheaper as well. So most likely they are going with one of those.
Sigh. We live in a town that takes all of 15 minutes to cross from north to south. How bad can the commute be? I guess for some people convenience is more important than quality.

Yeah, I realize how bitter I sound. I feel really defeated at the moment. I'll get over it though. Thanks for asking, it's really sweet of you to remember the other interview!

[4angelsmama]

Hello, have the same situation here to become a dc provider. I have actually had my advertisement a year ago before i have continued to post that I am opening my home to provide childcare. I only have 3 interviews done just recently in my home but I am still waiting for a response if they have decided to register their little ones. I only posted for 3 full-times but there are still lots of parents insisting or asking if i accept b & a. I have one parent mother that is very CHEAP i may say..she emailed me before and wanting to register her 2 children with me 1 full-time & 1 b/a. she asked me all necessary questions that a home daycare has not to have i.e. (smoke & pet free, swimming pool etc....) She offers me $50 for both of her children as she said that she compared my fee for b/a a bit too high for $25 and $40 for full-time for his 1 year old. So, i said i will accept $60 for both and she didnt comeback. after a couple of weeks, she emailed me again asking the same questions and really very insisting for $50 for both children. So, then I offered her a bit lower than $60 which is really very low....so she asked me for an interview and i gave her a date and time but i dont know, out of curiosity, i checked her email address on the internet and found out 2 information on the same email to a Daycare PROVIDER!!! I am not very good on internet or a computer expert but i know is that you cant have exact email address to another person right.... So, when i found out this, I cancelled the interview date with her. Such a weirdo in this world. Here we are mothers trying to make income ut of a very low fees, and youll cross people like this acting client. what is she trying to do...anyways, i saw her adds on kijiji and 2 other sites with the same email she used to email me. I just want to warn all who want to be a dc provider or wanna become oe to be very discreet to people asks information abut your daycare. if she is really a client or NOT. Well, I hope I will find good real client soon. Godbless to all!

Technically I am not a daycare provider yet because I haven't even landed a client yet, but I have already had a negative experience. Short version: this woman at my girls' school needs care for her 7 month old in September, when her maternity leave ends. It would be 2 days a week, starting at 6 am. And she'd also need before & after school care for her 4 year old daughter. I told her during a phone interview on Saturday that my hours were 7.30 to 5.30, that I would be willing to take them at 6.30 because it was only 2 days a week, but no earlier than that, and that I don't do b & a school care so she would be charged for a full day at the part time day rate (less than 4 days a week is 45 per day, 4 or 5 days is 35 per day).
She was hemming and hawing and I said something along the lines of "yeah, sorry it won't work out, but good luck". She asked me to send her some info anyway, so I did.

Today after school she comes up to me and says:"I have to pass, it is just too expensive. For 3 hours that would be 45 dollars, that is just too much. You would get 15 dollars an hour! That is half of my pay, and I don't get bad pay! I can get 7 hours of care at the hospital (where she's a nurse) for 25 dollars!"
I told her I don't charge 15 dollars an hour, I just don't do b & a school care so I would charge her for a full day. She wasn't even listening. So I wished her good luck and she walked off.

But now I find myself worrying about this woman spreading misinformation about my daycare. Well, my hopefully soon-to-be daycare. If she tells moms at the school that I charge 15 dollars an hour, nobody is even going to talk to me about care for their child. And she seems that kind of passive-aggressive sort of person.
I don't know, the whole thing just makes me feel icky. Am I overreacting? I am completely brand new to this, and I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid. I decided not to discuss my drop in rate with her on the phone and work something out because I didn't have a good feeling about her. Now at least I know that was right on the nose!

Ugh. People are so hard to deal with. They are just never happy.

[Mondaygirl]

What an odd thing to do! There are some weird ones out there for sure. Did you find any daycare kids yet?
I feel a bit defeated, but I'm determined not to give up so soon. Three strike outs in one week stinks, but who knows what's down the road. I am rethinking my fees though. I did the research and it seemed like I was right in the middle, but from what that one family emailed me, that's not the case. Off to do more research.

[playfelt]

Using the search box at the home page for daycarebear can show you a lot of information. Put in your postal code and it brings up a long list of daycare providers registered with the site starting with what is closest to you. Click on each one to see what rates they are charge, hours of care provided, and check out their pictures or write ups of what they are offering. That will really help you place your daycare right in the thick of things or help you find a niche such as open earlier or later or offering a special service like a music teacher coming in or kids yoga sessions.