Networking With Other Providers?

[morgan24]

This thread makes me appreciate where I live because here, we all network together. For example if I get a phone call for hours, ages or area requirements that I cannot accommodate, I know right away who has those openings and will refer the caller to that person.

It's kind of like a barking chain. Provider friend will call me up and say "Do you have a space available for an 18 month old?" and I'll say "No, but I know that Donna over in the SW part of town does." Then provider friend will give Donna's phone number to the party who called her.

This happens alot where I live and it is really cool that we can work this way. There are a few providers of course who feel as though everyone in the same business is competition but I don't limit the referrals I give. I tell the caller of every provider I know that has openings available that match their needs and let the parents sort through which providers personal rates and policies work for them.

I also NEVER recommend another provider unless I actually know first hand how they run their program. I usually only say "I know Miss ***XX has an opening so you could call her, here is her number". The rest is up to the parent.

This is the way we network in my town also. There are 4 of us who refer to each other and we keep in touch for trainings & do our CPR, 1st aid classes together. It's also nice to have some one to talk. There are 2 providers that don't network with us but some of us have tried to include them, but they haven't shown any interest.