First Client Interview Tomorrow!

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  • Abigail
    Child Care Provider
    • Jul 2010
    • 2417

    First Client Interview Tomorrow!

    Well, it is almost midnight and I have my first "official" (had my friend enroll her children already) daycare client interview tomorrow. I'm really nervous. I am glad I remembered to text my former daycare boss and co worker and friend to use as a reference because I want to be prepared.

    I still need to dust and vacuum the entire lower level. I need to type up the dates I'm closed for this coming year, but I do have the paid holidays listed in the handbook already. I just need to look up the actual date of each holiday to print it for a handout. I'm thinking I should grab a folder to put together a "welcome" packet. Should I include everything except my rates and contract but write down for her on a post it note what her rate would be so she can take everything home and think on it?

    I wish I had an interview sheet to ask about their child, but I guess I can just ask if she decides to enroll that I would like her to write down things about her child like what she enjoys to eat and weird quirks or anything specific or special.

    I feel so unorganized and am really procrastinating tonight! I have a mess of papers and better get everything I need printed and organized and brought down to the daycare area so I don't need to bring them upstairs at all. I'm really looking forward to the next few weeks flying by to get on a routine and build my self-confidence of being a business owner. Change is stressful to me....even moving into this perfect home was stressful! Life is fun though and this is what I really want to do. Daycare.
  • DaycareMama
    Daycare.com Member
    • Oct 2010
    • 621

    #2
    Im so happy for you. It will go great. I have enjoyed reading about your journey thus far and look forward to hearing about your journey to come. Enjoy every minute! Good luck tomorrow happyface

    Comment

    • daycare
      Advanced Daycare.com *********
      • Feb 2011
      • 16259

      #3
      Don't over do it. Give a basic tour. Answer all of the questions you can the best you can.
      I stopped printing out all of my papers until I know for sure they are on board.

      I then ask them to come back and we go over my PHB and any other questions they may have.

      I got tired of all the waist of my time , printing and mOney.

      I give them my business card That's in a nice folder with a few bits of info. I always give a rAte sheet. This way it's in black and white and I find that people don't ask for discounts when they see the pay rate is already figured out.

      You will do great, just relax be yourself. And don't over clean.

      Comment

      • beachgrl
        Daycare.com Member
        • Aug 2011
        • 552

        #4
        Yay! Good luck, I agree on not giving or printing out paperwork unless they are seriously wanting to enroll..I've wasted ink and money for packets for them to take home and never bring back...never hear from again..so I'm not doing that anymore until they are ready to sign up!

        Comment

        • Abigail
          Child Care Provider
          • Jul 2010
          • 2417

          #5
          Lol about the paper. I know I need to build more confidence and I'm a lot more confident now AFTER the interview. ::

          I was not prepared for questions. I did an okay job in the end, but I need a better plan of action for doing interviews. She said she loved the home (only saw the daycare area) and said that I'm very organized. She asked what my husbands name was because his family is from the same town they just moved from. Maybe knowing some of our family helps?! LOL She also said she would want to do some trial days in December before starting full time in January and I said that would be just fine. I'm not sure how to go about it, but if she sends and email or calls me I want to be prepared. I would still have her sign everything but the contract and probably pay per day or just do the whole contract and say the first two weeks is trial? I would rather offer her the pay per day because the contract would require payment on holidays and require her to start paying a deposit. Maybe I need to think about it.

          I noticed some things that may have been a concern.

          A. Not having any kids enrolled, probably why she schedules 1:00 thinking it would be nap time, but my others kids start in 3 weeks and I would never do interviews during hours anyways.

          B. She asked how many kids I was going to take and I said 7. She said her current place had 5 and was going to take more so I'm guessing group size does matter to her.

          It was nice to meet her and her husband and baby all together. They did show up on time. They have experience using a home daycare already. I'm conveniently located between her house and work, almost evenly. I felt like I rushed because I was nervous and my heart was racing. I felt like I said way too much that it may have been overwhelming, ha ha, but I'm organized and I've memorized all these things so I need to remember to take a step back! :: I wish I would have gone through the 5 page handbook, but told her she could take it with her. I realized I can't sit at the kidney shaped table with parents across from me to actually go over the handbook because I can't reach the paper in front of them to sum up each area.

          Maybe I will have to tell people from here on out that I do two interviews. The first interview is the tour and they should bring the family (spouse, kids) and expect it to be about 30 minutes. Then the second interview would be going over the handbook? UGH, it's so hard starting. Thank you everyone who helps me on here and reads about my journey.

          I still feel a sigh of relief, yet wish I could rewind and watch the 30 minutes while they were here and I would probably laugh. I really wish I could remember more, but the time went by so fast I can't remember if they took off their shoes or what facial expressions they made as they got a tour. :: All the hard work and hours spent decorating and re-arranging I should have paid more attention. ha ha!

          I do know that I did do the best I could! I called yesterday to confirm we were still on for today at 1:00. (We scheduled this appointment a week ago) I also made eye contact with both parents and shook hands and greeted them by name as I met them and as they left. I felt bad that I couldn't remember the daughters name, but I was only told once. Time to go out and get some lunch and enjoy that the "first" time is over and I'll be ready for the next and look forward to it! I do know they told me they had one other in home daycare to look at next week so I'm not sure if I should contact them in a week or just wait and let them contact me? They have papers--my handbook is 3 printed pages and a one-page schedule of our daily routine and my closed holidays sheet for 2012 and finally my business cards (2) and they seem like the family that would contact me back either way. Very nice people. Time for lunch, Bye!

          Comment

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