Parents withdraw to go to a center

[Peacefulbird]

Hi. To be honest I talk to my clients upfront. First my doors are open to anyone that wants and need my services (even for short term, I got the best recommendations from them especially and got good long term families through them too) I'm very honest with them and tell them that their spot will be available after they leave and if they see or know someone interested to let me know. I have a demand and waiting list I also tell them as I'm helping them out, to just let me know at least a month ahead or as soon as they figured it out. Giving me time to interview and have someone to fill the spot as soon as their spot is open (they know they can count with their spot until they have to leave no pressure)

So far, i do not have problems filling the spots, the problems were when once I filled the spots (with contracts signed a month ahead), the leaving families change their minds (I guess they evaluate pros and cons); but I also had families that signed for short term and they stayed years (and they cancelled their daycare centre spots).

My opinion comes to this; if I'm offering a service, I must evaluate my needs ;

1. Stay empty keep looking around avoid families that need my services (even short term, obviously perhaps a good economic situation would allow that) or

2. Fill my spots even with short terms and offer a "quality service" for short or long term (which actually helped building a great reputation and get more people to know me and my serviced and get positive recommendations).

I have never made felt any family like signing here is a trap (I'm sure that's what also would lead to non being honest and sign anything in desesperation) I'm honest open and families also are. They all have rights to think and change their minds as I would too.

So, it comes to this "my doors are open to anyone that needs my spots" as we are in a "service" industry a day empty is a day lost for ever.

I got three long term families that started as short term (they were afraid to commit to a new situation and to someone they didn't know 100%, It took few months until they felt comfortable and secure that my services were what they were looking for).

***My personal advise is to keep doing what you're doing treat that family the same and let them see how good you are, I had families that once they tried the centres they regreted and wanted to come back but, their spots were filled.

And I also was thinking on a tighter contract a enrollment fee etc. But when families decide to leave for any reason and because is their child, they do not mind losing or paying extra that won't stop them. The well being of their child is priceless..