I **** At Interviewing

[SunshineMama]

glenechogirl, I have two kids of my own and have 2/3 daycare kids leaving me at the end of the month, so I'll have 3 open spots. Frankly, depending on how close you are to Polaris (and you Sunshinemama) you might get contacted my my current dcf :P Thank you very much for the offer

Anne and Sunshine, those are good bits of advice. I need a script and a teleprompter, . Maybe I'll mix up some cookie dough and pop it in the freezer to bake just before families come...

My rates are as high as I think I can get down here, considering that we don't do field trips or anything (sunshine, I am SO JEALOUS that you guys get to go to the zoo, COSI, rec outlets, etc! I would give so much for that ability). Most people advertise rates under $100 a week in and near this area. There's even a GAHANNA provider on CL advertising for $80 a week! not happy about that...

Well, i only get to go out when I have 4 kids or less (my car can technically fit 5 but not comfortably). I wish we could go out more, I feel stuck inside.

Try the cookie dough! I have done that before too and had parents come in and comment about how nice everything smells

[SilverSabre25]

Thank you so much everyone! I have one interview scheduled tomorrow afternoon and another Wednesday evening. I didn't make such a good phone impression on the one for tomorrow (which I want the family desperately; they sound PERFECT!) because DS started screaming bloody murder as soon as I was on the phone; does that happen to anyone else? Darn baby. I love him, but GAH he has awful timing.

So yeah I'm going to be really trying hard to make the best impressions yet on these two potential clients!! happyfacehappyfacehappyface I think with all these tips I have more hope than before...not that I'm going to have major things to change, but every little bit helps.

[daycare]

When I give my tour during the interview that's when I put on my "salesman" hat, every room we walk through I point out how I use it for daycare and talk about the perks and positives about it.

Kitchen: "Here we have the kitchen. The kitchen is always gated off and even then all cabinets and drawers have safety locks. Chemicals are kept high and out of reach. I prepare all meals based and snacks based on the USDA food program and each child has a cup, set of utencils, plate and bowl to match their cubby. The large window allows me a full view of the patio to supervise the kids while serving food while they can play outside" ... etc.

I always smile from ear to ear all throughout the interview and talk in a friendly voice etc. After the interview and since I've already talked about the program I sit down and go through the policies with them. I have a copy of my handbook that they leaf through while I go over the policies in a bulleted list. Other than that I don't think that I do anything out of the ordinary.

I am much like MV...

I start off with the front room where they walk and and just start a tour of our day. I start off with how we start our morning and then go on from there.

I show them each part of the daycare and let them know what we do while in this part of the daycare.

I sell my program first before I even talk about the money aspects. I let them know all of the perks of my program, what they can expect for their child to learn here and my rules.
I talk about the safety that I will provide for their child each day, including providing healthy meals and a safe place for them to be themselves.

After I give my pitch, I open the communication for any questions they may have.

I do have to say, that maybe one of the reasons you don't feel good at doing them, is becuase you don't have to do them very often....Thats a pretty good thing if you ask me

[nothingwithoutjoy]

I find that the thing that almost always hooks families into my program is the documentation of our learning. (I'm a Reggio-inspired teacher, so documentation is a huge part of what I do.) I write (near) daily emails to the families and used to attach a one-page journal about some aspect of our day to those emails. They were printed and put into a notebook. Those notebooks were generally the thing that had people signing on the dotted line! Now I do the journaling through a private blog, so it's not quite as accessible to potential families, but I can still show them the older notebooks. Even a slideshow of photos running on the computer gives a great sense of what you value and how your days look. (I did this when I first opened my program, using photos from past teaching experience. I ran it during an open house for parents, and it was a big hit.)

[countrymom]

I also think what may be a downfall is a contract. I've done interviews and the minute I tell them that I have a contract that needs to be signed, thats it you never hear from them again. Which is fine because thats not a good sign.

also, if only one spouse comes too, makes a difference. Many times its family members who make the decision hard too.

do you do interviews when the kids are home or when no one is home. I always make sure that none of the children are visible (I will do interviews at nap time) or I send my kids upstairs. I tell people that I like to keep the children private till I have paperwork present in my hand, kind of like a confidentiality thing.

[jen2651]

Ok, so maybe this is just me but if a house was SUPER clean I would wonder if you cleaned all day or played with the kids. I make sure to do a great clean the night before and do a normal pickup throughout the day, but I am very honest with clients. I schedule my interviews shortly after my last family leaves so I can still have as much of my time as I can. They know this when they schedule.

So, when they come, the house looked great the night before and the floors are swept/counters wiped off etc but there is probably some toy that is out of place. Or a Mr. Pot head laying on the table, or the color crayon basket still sitting on the counter. Things like that. I am normal. I worked 40+ hours a week out of the home. I work 60+ in the home now. I get it. Sometimes my dishes don't get loaded from supper until before the first kid comes. I'm not going to point fingers if you thought your grabbed pants for your little one out of the clean laundry basket but once arrived found a smushed cracker on the butt...I want people to understand that I believe 'life happens'. I have done really well with interviews, not sure if this is why but...you know, milk gets spilled!

[SilverSabre25]

Thank you everyone; I had that interview this afternoon (and just don't seem capable of keeping them short :P but it's just my style I suppose) and it went great. I baked muffins right after lunch for snack this afternoon (mmm, blueberry muffin smell nummy) and made up a fresh batch of playdough for DD, dcb, and the potential new little boy. I think it went well, the new little boy did NOT want to leave (good, right?!) and the baby is super cute and was thrilled to let me hold him. They are hoping for someone that can do some preschool transport and so have one more interview tomorrow with someone that maybe can, but i think mom relaly wants to make them coming here work. happyfacehappyface even if they don't use me in the end...i feel like I have a better handle on things for all my future interviews.

THANK YOU!

[daycare]

when I introduce my PHB, I often say. I don't want you to freak out when you see my PHB, however, everything that I have written in there, is because unfortunately someone gave me a reason to have to create and enforce the rule.

I then go on to tell them, that I am extremely flexible with advance notice when possible, but will put my foot down the second I feel I am being taken advantage of. I tell the DCP I am willing to do anything I can for a family, within reason as long as it does not affect the other children, my family or over step my boundaries.

I always tell parents that when they are about to leave, I hope I have been able to answer all of your questions and concerns for you, if not, please feel free to email me or call me. I want you to be secure with your decision when placing your child into care. I never want a parent to ever have that feel of doubt that they just left their child in the wrong place, so there is no such thing as a stupid question. I hope to be in contact with you soon.

I then send a nice follow up email later than night or the next day....... If they don't call me or email me back, then I know they were not meant to be.....

[daycare]

Thank you everyone; I had that interview this afternoon (and just don't seem capable of keeping them short :P but it's just my style I suppose) and it went great. I baked muffins right after lunch for snack this afternoon (mmm, blueberry muffin smell nummy) and made up a fresh batch of playdough for DD, dcb, and the potential new little boy. I think it went well, the new little boy did NOT want to leave (good, right?!) and the baby is super cute and was thrilled to let me hold him. They are hoping for someone that can do some preschool transport and so have one more interview tomorrow with someone that maybe can, but i think mom relaly wants to make them coming here work. happyfacehappyface even if they don't use me in the end...i feel like I have a better handle on things for all my future interviews.

THANK YOU!

mine are always long....about an hour or more..... I have only had one that was a short stay and I knew they were not a good fit from the quickness of the interview.

[SilverSabre25]

i was right! I didn't **** at that interview, I ROCKED!

She called back today and wants to enroll the kiddos!!! they start next week!!! I can't wait, everything is going to be okay!!

so relived.

so happy.

so thankful for this forum to help me through this stuff. happyfacehappyface

so now a side question...i have another interview scheduled fro this evening; would you call and cancel that? My space is now filled (hurray!)

[daycare]

i was right! I didn't **** at that interview, I ROCKED!

She called back today and wants to enroll the kiddos!!! they start next week!!! I can't wait, everything is going to be okay!!

so relived.

so happy.

so thankful for this forum to help me through this stuff. happyfacehappyface

so now a side question...i have another interview scheduled fro this evening; would you call and cancel that? My space is now filled (hurray!)

OMG Silver I am sooooooooo super excited for you and your family!! I had every bit of confidence in you that you could do it..... Awesome job!!

wish me luck tonight!! I have one too

[tenderhearts]

Most of the time they ask me the rate before the interview, if the rate seems fine to them they set up the interview, I have only had 2 people go through with the interview then ask my rate then sign on.
I don't dress any different than I would on a daily basis.
I take them through my house to show them the back yard and just let them know it's all fenced ect. then we head out to the daycare area and let them look around or tell them they can have a seat, then I just give them the contract and go over some of the high lighted stuff, I usually go in about myself, how long I've been married, kids, how long I've done daycare for. They'll usually ask me some question, I ask (if I don't already know) i their child has been in daycare, we usually talk about naps. I try to talk to the child as well and ask them questions. My interviews sometimes last 45 min - an hour, just because I seem to get chatty people.

[Blackcat31]

i was right! I didn't **** at that interview, I ROCKED!

She called back today and wants to enroll the kiddos!!! they start next week!!! I can't wait, everything is going to be okay!!

so relived.

so happy.

so thankful for this forum to help me through this stuff. happyfacehappyface

so now a side question...i have another interview scheduled fro this evening; would you call and cancel that? My space is now filled (hurray!)

Yah for you!!!

No, I would not cancel the interview but I would tell the family that you don't have space at this time but that you are in the process of doing a trial period with someone and that you would still love to interview them and put them on your wait list should a spot open up (which could be any time, as we all know how this business works)

[SilverSabre25]

Yah for you!!!

No, I would not cancel the interview but I would tell the family that you don't have space at this time but that you are in the process of doing a trial period with someone and that you would still love to interview them and put them on your wait list should a spot open up (which could be any time, as we all know how this business works)

Thank you! I had decided to go through with it (though timed the way it is the house won't be as clean, but it does smell like dinner :P Mmm, chicken taco chili), but I hadn't thought of those words to say. that's perfect!

I still am in shock over this :P

[allsmiles]

congrats silversabre!!! its such a good feeling when you get a family!!! so happy for you!

good luck to you and me daycare.. i have one tonight too.. MANY blessings happyface