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Or do you just say "sorry but at this time I don't think I'll be taking you on as a client?
Something less harsh maybe?
I had an interview last night that went well. I thought the mom was gonna be super headstrong and I stood my ground (thanks to advice from you guys) and things went smoothly. A few red flags though:
* parent was super excited I'm open 10.5hrs and plans on using most of that time (yes it's just 3x a week but it's two kids and I already have a 10hr a day kid full time). I told her I do require a set time for drop off and pickup since the others have varied schedules. She was a little blank by that and I told her it was written out in my contract and I have early and late fees.
* Informed me eldest (3yrs) doesn't nap. I told her everyone here naps or rests (they all nap from 1-3:30 like clock work. Some longer than that even) and that in a 10hr day the kids, as well I, need a break. So the eldest will have to lay down.
*Was surprised that I took time off and closed on days that weren't just school holidays or summer. I don't completely follow the school calendar anyways (she's a teacher so she does of course) but I told her per my contract I give 4wks notice to when I'm taking time off. For instance the week of thanksgiving. We live out of state and alternate thanksgiving and Xmas to go home with our son. This year is thanksgiving and since we drive, we take that week off. We haven't been home since the 4th of July and I haven't had to close since then. I told her this is why I require a backup sitter, not only for my time off but if their kid (or mine is sick, as I have no one to take my kid) is sick I will tell them to come back when the kid is better.
If I take this family I'll be at max for state (I'm not licensed but comply to be class B) 3x a week. I'm only looking for 1child right now and this would be two. I'm not looking to have the kids 10hrs a day as I already do that with one and that's more than enough.
Also, I'll have to term a family I have that comes in as a drop off due to being over ratio if the eldest comes (elsdest goes to preschool but some days needs to come here)and I love that family. I'm not willing to term them even if they are once a week or so.
I have a good situation right now, I'm not hard up for kids as I'm very fortunate with what my husband does for a living and I plan on closing at the end of next summer (we are moving). Its a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" situation. If I try this on a trial basis just to see if it works I'll still have to let a family go to not be over ratio and I don't want to burn that bridge unless I really thought it would work out.
I took the interview knowing that if I decided to take them on I'd have to let a family go and was willing to weigh the odds. Now i see I don't want to take on this new family.
What I'd like help with is, how do you deny the family? Are you completely upfront with all the above issues I pointed out or do you just say "the interview last night/other day was good and I was happy to meet you and your family but at this time I've decided to not take on anymore children?". Especially after you told them you had other interviews and you'd let them know your decision.
I might take on one more child so I'm truthful when I say I've decided to not take on anymore right now but I don't want to take on two. That's a lot of busy I'm not rooting for right now. A busy 11mo old and a no nap 3yr old 10hrs a day is not what I'm willing to trial for and then decide I don't want to continue on.
How do you say NOPE?
Something less harsh maybe?
I had an interview last night that went well. I thought the mom was gonna be super headstrong and I stood my ground (thanks to advice from you guys) and things went smoothly. A few red flags though:
* parent was super excited I'm open 10.5hrs and plans on using most of that time (yes it's just 3x a week but it's two kids and I already have a 10hr a day kid full time). I told her I do require a set time for drop off and pickup since the others have varied schedules. She was a little blank by that and I told her it was written out in my contract and I have early and late fees.
* Informed me eldest (3yrs) doesn't nap. I told her everyone here naps or rests (they all nap from 1-3:30 like clock work. Some longer than that even) and that in a 10hr day the kids, as well I, need a break. So the eldest will have to lay down.
*Was surprised that I took time off and closed on days that weren't just school holidays or summer. I don't completely follow the school calendar anyways (she's a teacher so she does of course) but I told her per my contract I give 4wks notice to when I'm taking time off. For instance the week of thanksgiving. We live out of state and alternate thanksgiving and Xmas to go home with our son. This year is thanksgiving and since we drive, we take that week off. We haven't been home since the 4th of July and I haven't had to close since then. I told her this is why I require a backup sitter, not only for my time off but if their kid (or mine is sick, as I have no one to take my kid) is sick I will tell them to come back when the kid is better.
If I take this family I'll be at max for state (I'm not licensed but comply to be class B) 3x a week. I'm only looking for 1child right now and this would be two. I'm not looking to have the kids 10hrs a day as I already do that with one and that's more than enough.
Also, I'll have to term a family I have that comes in as a drop off due to being over ratio if the eldest comes (elsdest goes to preschool but some days needs to come here)and I love that family. I'm not willing to term them even if they are once a week or so.
I have a good situation right now, I'm not hard up for kids as I'm very fortunate with what my husband does for a living and I plan on closing at the end of next summer (we are moving). Its a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" situation. If I try this on a trial basis just to see if it works I'll still have to let a family go to not be over ratio and I don't want to burn that bridge unless I really thought it would work out.
I took the interview knowing that if I decided to take them on I'd have to let a family go and was willing to weigh the odds. Now i see I don't want to take on this new family.
What I'd like help with is, how do you deny the family? Are you completely upfront with all the above issues I pointed out or do you just say "the interview last night/other day was good and I was happy to meet you and your family but at this time I've decided to not take on anymore children?". Especially after you told them you had other interviews and you'd let them know your decision.
I might take on one more child so I'm truthful when I say I've decided to not take on anymore right now but I don't want to take on two. That's a lot of busy I'm not rooting for right now. A busy 11mo old and a no nap 3yr old 10hrs a day is not what I'm willing to trial for and then decide I don't want to continue on.
How do you say NOPE?
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