How Long Keep Spot-offer Open?

[Daycare123]

Hi there!

I am just wondering how long you all give parents to accept or decline once you have offered them a spot at your daycare?

I always find this process so frustrating.

Thanks!

[5 Little Monkeys]

I give them a week but they all have told me either right away or within a day or two. I think the longest I had to wait was 5 days but she was also meeting another dc and than deciding between the two of us.

[Daycare123]

Thanks! I appreciate the responses!

[playfelt]

All parents are told at the interview that the spot remains open till I fill it - first family back with the signed contract gets the spot.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I would if I were you. If they don't want the spot than that opens it up so you can continue interviewing. If they want the spot than there is no reason to keep interviewing.

I would say something like "I am excited to offer you a spot in my hdc. Please let me know by Monday at 5pm if you and your family would like to accept it. I have other families interested and need to know if I should set up meetings with them. Thank you." Even if you don't have others interested I would still tell them that. They probably aren't thinking that you will offer the spot to someone else so they are taking their time deciding if they want it. Put the pressure on a bit and they will answer quicker.

[5 Little Monkeys]

All parents are told at the interview that the spot remains open till I fill it - first family back with the signed contract gets the spot.

This works if you like all the families. There have been times I've interviewed for a spot and preferred one family over the others. When I have more than one family interested, it is nice to be able to have the choice of who I want to take on as opposed to taking who I can get. In these cases, I offer the spot and give them a week to get back to me.

[mickyc]

For myself I don't hold any spots without a deposit. Once I decide if a family is right for the spot I will email them and tell them I am offering the spot to them and if they were interested then I require them to fill out my paperwork and drop it off with their deposit. If I don't hear from the family within 24 hours I continue to meet with families. The first person with their deposit gets the spot.

[daycaremom9]

I let the parent know by the end of the viewing that it's on a first come first serve basis. I find that if they're truly interested they'll come back fairly quickly and give me the registration and first month's fee.