What do you do?

[Tinyones1981]

What is everyone's thoughts on holding spots. What would you do if you have a client who say they want a spot for the following year but says they don't want to put a deposit down, after you telling them there is interest in the available spots. You go ahead with interviews and the new clients are willing to put the deposit down and sign contract. Do you give the other person the heads up again that they have to put a deposit down or its gone, or do you just go ahead and fill the spot because you told them that there was interest in the spot?

[Emma H]

If they want the spot they have to place a deposit otherwise I continue doing interviews and the first family to place a deposit gets the spot. Fair and square.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

What is everyone's thoughts on holding spots. What would you do if you have a client who say they want a spot for the following year but says they don't want to put a deposit down, after you telling them there is interest in the available spots. You go ahead with interviews and the new clients are willing to put the deposit down and sign contract. Do you give the other person the heads up again that they have to put a deposit down or its gone, or do you just go ahead and fill the spot because you told them that there was interest in the spot?

I don't stop advertising until I have a signed contract and a deposit.

I don't hold spots - if my vacancy is now, I need it fill now. If a parent wants the spot, they pay for it. My income cannot be affect by them want my day care place but they don't need it for months and months. Too bad. Pay for the place and it's yours. No pay, then I keep looking for some who needs place soon or who is paying to hold. I not responsible to cut my money to make random stranger relax that they have their day care ready for way in future.

I have no obligation to anyone who didn't pay deposit and give me contract.

Say to selling house and lady really like but not make offer and not do any paperwork to make interest in house official. Would you take off market and wait around believing she going to buy? No. Pay money, sign on line, then we both committed. Until then it all empty word.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I don't like doing it "first to pay gets the spot" because I like to be able to choose the family if I can. What if family A pays me first but I actually liked family B better and think they'll fit in better?

I like to interview one family at a time. After meeting I tell them to go home and think about it and let me know if they want the spot or not. I tell them I'm doing interviews (but I'm not) and will fill spot by xx date. If I liked them and they get back to me, I offer them the spot. This way I don't have multiple families wanting the spot and having to say no to them but I still get to decide if I want them or not.

My last opening I didn't do it this way and I ended up having to tell 2 other families I didn't choose them and I hated it!! (I used to do it this way when I first opened and I quickly remembered why I changed it lol)

They must pay a deposit though and I don't hold spots, especially for a year!

[mickyc]

I don't hold spots. If a family wants an available spot I require $300 down (non-refundable). They must begin paying on the day the spot is available. I had a spot open in March. I interviewed a few families. They all didn't need care for a month or two. I told them if they wanted the spot payment needed to begin immediately or I would continue to advertise and try to fill. They all took the chance that the spot was still open in a few months time. In the meantime I filled the spot. I am not about to loose money while waiting for a child to start. There are lots of great families out there.