Has common courtesy gone out the window?

[Other Mummy]

Why do people tell you they will get back to you after an interview and then don't?! I tell them either way, call me and let me know. This way I can cancel any upcoming interviews if I've filled the spot, or let me know that they have decided to go another option.

I've been trying to fill a couple of spots and interviews have been far and few between (daycare dry up spell?). I had an interview on Thursday. Mom loved my program, agreed with my policies, etc. But she had started dcb in a centre a few weeks back and did not like it, wanted a home daycare with structure, routine, etc. We seemed like a good fit. pleasant woman, etc. yet, she says she will call on Monday to let me know....then nothing.

Getting very discouraged with this industry, the inconsiderate parents and the unreliability of it all. I'm seriously considering going back into marketing in September

[mickyc]

Unfortunately a lot of people are like that these days. Hopefully you fill your spots soon!!

[Wonderwiper]

I think many people use "I'll let you know" as a way to end an interview. Don't hold your breath for anyone. Consider your spot open until you see the money ha ha!

I don't think it's isolated to this business. How many people get multiple quotes for things like home renos and never call the 'losing' quotes????

Sorry you are having a hard time, hopefully someone great comes along soon.

[daycaremom9]

Why do people tell you they will get back to you after an interview and then don't?! I tell them either way, call me and let me know. This way I can cancel any upcoming interviews if I've filled the spot, or let me know that they have decided to go another option.

I've been trying to fill a couple of spots and interviews have been far and few between (daycare dry up spell?). I had an interview on Thursday. Mom loved my program, agreed with my policies, etc. But she had started dcb in a centre a few weeks back and did not like it, wanted a home daycare with structure, routine, etc. We seemed like a good fit. pleasant woman, etc. yet, she says she will call on Monday to let me know....then nothing.



Getting very discouraged with this industry, the inconsiderate parents and the unreliability of it all. I'm seriously considering going back into marketing in September

I had an interview with a mom a couple of weeks ago and she seemed ultra excited. I'm located close to her work and she said there really weren't that many daycares in this area. She said she'd call me by the following night at the latest. Never heard from her again. Frustrating!

[Fun&care]

It's for sure frustrating when they tell you they are going to let you know, but they never call back. That being said it's like wonder wiper mentioned...I know I've gotten quotes from contractors and I usually only call the one I want to hire for the job and not the others. But I never say "ill let you know" it's usually "I'll look it over with my husband and if were interested we will call you"....I've stopped waiting by the phone. During the interview I make it clear that it's first come first serve and that I only hold a spot once I have cashed their deposit. If I don't hear from them, too bad and I don't call them back either usually.

[mickyc]

I agree! The spot is open until money is in hand and paperwork filled out. Don't worry about it too much. Just carry on.

[5 Little Monkeys]

It's very frustrating and IMO disrespectful when they say they will contact you and than don't. I understand though that it's just some people's way of ending the meeting and than when they choose a different dc they don't want to take the time to phone/email the others they met with. Doesn't make it right but I can see why it happens.

I think I do my interviews a bit differently than others on here. I used to interview all the ones who were interested and than whoever got back to me first got the spot. It worked out and I always ended up with great families but than I thought what if I meet with 2 families and I like family 1 better but family 2 gets back to me first. I want to be in charge of my business and that means picking who comes here. I switched to meeting with them all and telling them I would get back to them when meetings were over and I made my decision. However, I hated meeting with multiple families (huge time waster!), liking them all and them liking me and than I had to tell many that I was choosing a different family over them.

So now I do my interviews this way.....I advertise my spot, I meet with a family one at a time. I tell them I am meeting with others and wanting to make my decision by xxx date. I tell them at the end of the meeting to let me know ASAP (within 24 hrs) if they want the spot and I will be choosing from the ones who say yes. If the meeting went well and they email me saying they want the spot, I tell them I would like to take them on. If the meeting doesn't go well or I get a bad vibe, I send a quick email after xxx date saying I went with a different family. It gives me the power to choose who I take on. For some, first come first serve works but it wasn't for me.

However, there are times that the inquiries are dry and I have to take on whoever just because they are my one and only interested family and I have bills to pay. That bit me in the ass big time though (just terminated a child a week ago that I knew I shouldn't have taken on in the first place) and so when finances allow, I will not be doing that again!!

I hope your spaces fill fast and with considerate families!!! I met with a mom last night and she emailed me within hours saying that when I was done interviewing, if I wanted them they would be happy to come here. I had another mom interested but have no interview lined up with her as she never did reply to my email after I told her my rate. Last night's meeting went well so I will be accepting her.

Good luck!! The right family will come along!

[Secondtimearound]

I give out a thank you for meeting worksheet that states thank you for coming , and that no enrolment is considered unless paperwork , and payment is made . It works for me as I give it out to those I think are a good match and then they know if they want to be in my care they have to make decisions fast . I always say (oops sometimes it's not always true) that I'm interviewing two families for the spot . I have been lucky and each interview ended with enrolment , twice I have been nervous about certain families and have been right each time but needed to fill so I tried !!
I hope your spots fill quickly !! It's so FRUSTERATING to think you have a spot filled and not hear anything back !!!

[Other Mummy]

I guess I was raised to mean what I say and say what I mean. I have no problem with a family telling me they are interviewing other daycares. In fact, I encourage it. My problem is with me giving my time after hours (that is when I conduct interviews) take time away from my own family, and not even getting the respect of a yes or a no. Especially when the family tells me in the interview how much they like the program, the daycare, etc.

I have used the "interviewing other families" tactic. I didn't this time. Honestly, It's been very dry and interviews far and few between, so I didn't feel like making a fib. If they were truly interested they would sign on ASAP. I just don't like the disrespect of not evening getting a phone call thanking me for my time and letting me at least know they decided on another daycare.

[5 Little Monkeys]

That's another thing I do differently....I interview during my work hours whenever possible. I spend enough time outside of work doing work things that I don't want to add interview time to it as well. So far, it has worked wonderfully!

On the bright side...at least you don't have to deal with a family that doesn't respect your time!