Would you ever contact another provider for information?

[Cocoon]

I have been contacted by another day home provider asking my 2-3-4 days and full time care fees? I immediately suspect and checked her on facebook she wasn't there and then checked one of the head hunter web site online. There she was! She herself was a provider and she was doing this for almost two years. Anyway, I told her how much I charge for those days. And then she responded me immediately asking for to justify my prices like what I'm offering and what is it special in my day home etc? I then asked her, "are you enquiring as a fellow day home provider or as a parent"( I wanted to let her know that I know she has a day home too)? And then she said "actually i have a day home too but I want to place my son to another day home so he will get over his separation anxiety? What the hell. Most of us here do this job so that they can stay at home with their kids and this lady is ....? She probably is in this board too.

Anyway, needless to say I said "NEXT" )) I think I would like it if they ask me straight without sneaking. I'm sure there will be people who won't help. One might not help but I'm sure the second one would.

[Spixie33]

No I have never done that nor do I think I ever would.
I did check other people's ads when I was starting to see what they were offering and the pricing etc....and occassionally I will look up other daycares to see if they have pictures and what their set up is like etc....but beyond that I can't imagine why you would need to go 'undercover' for info.
I see other providers at the park and at early years and if I have a question I sometimes will ask them or else I come on the forum to get feedback. Beyond that I am not sure why people would do that.
Sometimes I find that other providers are too nosy with me. They will ask me all about my set up, rates, number of children, MY ADDRESS (WTH?) and how much I paid for certain things, what I serve for lunch and snacks etc. I don't mind sharing the info most of the time but sometimes I do get the REALLY nosy ones like the one who asks me about my house size, address, etc and I know she wants to do a driveby and check me out and look me up. Those are kind of annoying but whatever floats their boat I guess.