Interview Help

[ECE53]

First I would recommend meeting the Parents and child after daycare hours first. I would not want "strangers" visiting while my children are in daycare. Once I narrow down my choices I then let the Parents visit while the children are here, so I can see how the child manages within my group. I always explain to my Parents that they are paying for the space, not any particular day. I need a reliable income, so they pay by the space I am not able to fill it if their child is away ill, so they still have to pay. I then explain my illness policy, explaining that I am strict with contagious illnesses so that we all stay healthier and do my best so that people miss as few days as Possible.
I agree that being calm, and not seeming desperate is the best way to go.... Good luck, it will come.

[Inspired by Reggio]

...I agree that being calm, and not seeming desperate is the best way to go.... Good luck, it will come.

I TOTALLY agree with this as well ... always aim to be leaving a prospective client with the impression that they would be LUCKY to get a space in your program ... I have learned that it is NOT worth it to take the 'whoever will do for an income' out of desperation because it NEVER ends well for anyone the STRESS of dealing with them or the conflict they bring is not worth the few extra bucks a week - I would rather tighten my family budget and go without things now - so I am VERY choosy in who gets to enter my program and would rather sit on the space EMPTY or pick up some evening shifts at the local Tim Hortons than take on someone who was not a match to my philosophy of care or personality fit and have that 'ruin' everyone's experience in my program

I try to always end the interview with 'Thank you so much for your time - it was awesome to meet you all - I am sure that little Johnny would be a wonderful addition to the program (unless I did not like them than I omit that last part). I have a few more interviews lined up for this space and will be making MY choice which is the best way to go for the program on X date ... if you have finished up your interviewing of providers before than please let me know ASAP if I am your first choice or if you are going another route so I have all the information needed when weighing my decision."

Cause this lets clients know that the choice is TWO WAY ... we do not just take any client who shows interest it has to be a match on BOTH ENDS ... it also helps to ensure that I get a call either way and if they do NOT call me to tell me they are interested well than I do not sit 'waiting' on them and keep going through my options. If X date arrives and NONE of them were ideal for me - I call and thank them all but tell them I can gone a 'different route' at this time and keep looking!

[colleend]

I agree, I wouldn't do it during daycare hours - your job then is to look after the children you do have.