How do you interview?

[5 Little Monkeys]

That's a good idea BS! I hate meeting with families that would clearly not fit in with my dc and follow my rules.

I email my parent package to them and if after reading that they are still interested, I set up an in person interview. I have only had a couple who chose not to meet me and that was because I was not in their budget or time frame. Those are the 2 biggest deal breakers!! A phone call would clear all this up too but I find if parents have time to read my contract and really think about it than the in person interview goes much quicker as they know all the policies and come ready with specific questions that relate to me and my daycare and not just general questions.

I don't even talk to my fiance on the phone LOL (well very rarely)

[AmandaKDT]

I prefer contact via phone. I put in my advertisements that I do not accept email enquiries and to only call in the evening or on the weekend. If they call me during the day I just tell them to call later. I find that otherwise you do lots of messaging back in forth with alot of time wasted, where a 5 minute phone conversation would have covered everything. You can get such a better feel about a person by actually talking to them. I also feel that you are getting families that are seriously interested, as they must actually pick up the phone! But I have had lots of job experience that required talking to people in person and on the phone, so phones don't scare me. Lol

Once a family is signed up, I am more willing to accept correspondence by text or email. But I am one of those people that has resisted texting and only do it if I have to.

As for interviewing, I talk to them about their needs on the phone first, then schedule interviews. I will do several for a spot if there is interest, so that I get the best fit for it. I don't do first come first serve, and yes it does suck turning people down but I think it is part of the job. I think being able to tell people 'no' in a professional manner is an important skill to have too.