Strangely High Call Volume

[cfred]

For the last couple weeks, I've been having an unusually high number of calls for infant spaces. Really, unusually high. I've had 6 calls since yesterday! Has anyone else experienced something like this lately? I'm feeling a bit suspicious of it, but couldn't really say why. I usually have a reasonable number of calls, but not like this.

All I can think when they call is 'good luck if Bill 143 passes!'

[5 Little Monkeys]

I'm in a completely different area than you but yes, I have had a huge increase in emails for the past 2-3 weeks or so. Most of them have been for infants with only for a few over the age of 1. It's come at a good time because I have a pt spot I decided I want to fill.

Spring time babies??

[cfred]

I guess....it's been so strange! I'm currently full and have 2 families interested in my piddly little part time/temporary/casual space. So weird! One woman started to cry on the phone today. I'm meeting her tonight. Her daycare situation fell apart this week. She goes back to work next week...poor thing! It's THIS kind of thing that should be brought to the attention of the public....the nice things we do that a large centre wouldn't dream of!

I have to admit...I felt a bit like it was research, but I don't want to get all paranoid. It's just never happened like this in 13 yrs of business. With providers saying they've had ministry officials showing up at their doors unexpectedly, it just made me wonder.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Is it possible that some dcp's are already closing up because of this bill? Perhaps some of the infants who were on waiting lists at other dc's now have no dc and are on the search again?

[cfred]

Maybe you're right. Something's going on, that's for sure. My heart broke for this woman today! She just fell apart. I can help her in a few weeks when she can buy days from 2 people's maternity leaves. I can buy her maybe 6 months to look for something permanent. I thought she was going to kiss me through the phone! I don't know how the province is going to handle this if the bill passes. I can't imagine how hard it will be to find reliable care!

[5 Little Monkeys]

It breaks my heart when parents beg for a spot because they start work in a week, sometimes days!! It's situations like these that make parents take spots in crappy dc's or dcp's break ratio. The shortage of dc spots is terrible everywhere and something needs to be done

[cfred]

I'm glad I can at least help her out so she doesn't have to pick a crappy daycare. Yes, our daycare situation is pretty dire. I can tell it's going to be a teary interview

[5 Little Monkeys]

I hope it works out for both of you!

[bright sparks]

Its nuts actually. I am in Niagara Region and have had a dramatic increase of enquiries. Last year was so painfully slow, but I have for sure had by far more enquiries this year already than last year in total. I have had about 12 enquiries in the last 2 weeks and most of them are for infants.

[cfred]

I'd like to know where all these people were when I really needed them, lol! I'm now full till summer 2015, but can at least buy her some time so she hopefully won't have to settle.