Unexpected Interview Questions?

[Skysue]

Good morning all,

The time has come for interviews again! I am losing a dck at the end of March, and I have already secured two interviews (the joys of living in an overpopulated city! )

I want to be completely prepared, as I tend to get nervous during meetings. So my question is, can anyone think of any questions that people have asked during interviews that you did not expect, or were not prepared to answer? I want to have all my bases covered. This could also be a fun thread to bring out some kooky questions that parents have asked!

Thanks in advance,

Alphaghetti

Just remember your interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. Don't hesitate to ask them questions from a clip board or show them that your writting down answers from them. When I have doen this in the past most of my parents have signed up right away. It shows them your in control!

[mom-in-alberta]

Yes, yes, yes, Skysue!! WE are interviewing THEM as well, and so many of us forget that. Especially if we are a little on the desperate side, hoping to fill spots. I always have to remind myself that filling a space is not worth it if a month later I am trying to decide whether to terminate or dealing with a million and one issues.
So far, I really have only had the basic questions. Nothing off the wall or kooky. Too bad. I wanted to tell a funny story, too.

[Cocoon]

I have also been asked if I have insurance and I told them me having or not having insurance is nothing to do with you(in a polite way of course). Actually, parents doesn't know why they need to know this, they probably found a list of questionarie on the internet and they are asking for the sake of asking I don't blame them )

[jazmic]

I once had a parent ask me the insurance question too. Not only did she want to know if I had insurance, she wanted to see the policy. I did show it to her to prove that I wasn't lying. But she very much came across as the very controlling type. She e-mailed me follow up questions asking specific questions about the Daycare Nursery Act, section XYZ...

I knew then that I didn't want to sign her. It definitely wouldn't have been a good fit.

[mom-in-alberta]

jazmic: are you sure it was a prospective parent, not another provider being "snoopy"?? That seems odd that she would know the specific laws and rules. Stuff that normally only care providers would be concerned about?
Seems fishy...

[Momof4]

I have had people come in of all kinds, a mother with clipboards and the husband looked like he was scared of her, a mother who asked a million questions about plastics and how I clean, etc., a Dad who wanted to know about why I don't have a police report.

The woman with the clipboard well I hurried her out because I'm not having a bossy dcparent here and the woman who was paranoid about every tiny thing I gave a good chance because I can see her point, but she went with a daycare center in the end. A center is definitely not cleaner or safer than my house! To the Dad with the question about the absence of a police report I responded that I just spent the past 25 years raising 4 children and working 1 or 2 jobs at a time as a single Mom, so I asked him how I could have had time to do anything illegal?

Seriously, I take charge of the interviews immediately now and stay in charge so I usually don't get stupid questions anymore. It's about being confident in your ability and your daycare program and letting them know from day 1, hour 1 that you will be in charge and competent at all times.

[jazmic]

@mom-in-albert: I'm pretty sure. She came with her husband and the baby girl who was about 10months at the time. It was their first child and they were looking for daycare for the first time. She really just seemed like the "type A personality" type.

[Sunflower]

Just remember your interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. Don't hesitate to ask them questions from a clip board or show them that your writting down answers from them. When I have doen this in the past most of my parents have signed up right away. It shows them your in control!

I LOVE doing this!
I find it make the interview more professional.. in the sense that they see I am the boss around here : )