I **** At Interviewing

[allsmiles]

thats good advice black cat.. I have to try to remember to always be open to new families, never know when you need to go to that waiting list!!

[Unregistered]

tips on getting interview

I agree with the perception that you are in high demand. I always let parents know that I am interviewing several families (which is usually the case anyway when a spot is available), and I tell them that I will get back to them in a week or so after I have interviewed all of the families and have made my choice.

I just got licensed April 15th. I have only interview one client and have posted ads on Craig list every other day. I have told friend and family about my childcare. I would love to know what marketing strategy you use to get more interview. So far Craig list I am getting more scammers emailing me then actual call or real leads. Thanks so much for your help.

Sara

[hope]

Families that have booked with me have told me the reasons why. Most importantly they like organization....in the paperwork I present, to the layout of toys, supplies, first aid, emergency plan. I also go over a sample of meals I serve. They like to hear how much time and effort put into ensuring a healthy meal. I show pictures of the kids on our bounce house, in the sprinkler, at the park. They need visuals! Definitely offer a drink when they sit down to chat. Tour the house first and go over all this stuff first. The handbook should be last.

[Starburst]

Thanks, glenechogirl. The first question people ask around here is rate so yes I tell them before hand. Otherwise you're absolutely right that it's just not worth it.

I wish I had an aquarium; that sounds like a great tactic! (Actually I really want a nice big one...someday...someday...)

I have lately been interviewing mostly tiny babies so they are usually here and it's easy to be good with them ("Oh, can I hold him? Oh, my goodness, he's so squishy; I love newborns! Hi sweetie!" etc). If the child is old enough (2+) I usually pull out playdough to entertain them and my own. I do the interviews in my playroom so we're surrounded by all the cool toys. Older infants I pull out some of the neat baby toys and arrange them on the floor.

My space can use some work, and I've been making progress...it's hard with 1)no money and 2) very little time and 3) dcks who won't leave artwork here :P.

*Maybe you can impend a rule about leaving art work at daycare until the end of the week. At the FCC/preschool I worked at, they would hang art work up all week and the kids would take them home on Friday (usually because there was a theme week).

*You could also tell the current parents that you want to make like a binder/portfolio for each child of their work to help preserve it- just get a binder and some plastic cover sheets from the $1 store. You can also promise that at the end of the year (or for the child's birthday) you will give it back to them and have it organized. For bigger or class projects you can take a picture of the child working on it or the finished project they helped build, it's also a great way to chart a child's development. Plus I am sure after a while parent's get overwhelmed trying to find space on their refrigerator for all their kid's work.

*Or you can take pictures of the different arts and crafts you guys do and make a scrapbook to share with new potential clients, you can take a picture of them working on it or just a picture of the finished project.

All that can also teach them about delayed gratification as well as organizing. The children may even love being able to put their own art into their portfolio.

Another thing you could do (if you have parent's permission) is take random pictures of the kids having fun and make a year book or personalized scrap book for each child. You can also make one for yourself to keep that you use that as a marketing tool for inquiring parents and a gift for current parents. Just let the potential daycare parent's know that you did have permission from all the current DK parents to take these pictures and show them at interviews (so they don't think you just take pictures and show them to strangers without their consent).

And yes when I start I plan on offering a small snack (fruit/veggie plate, cheese and crackers) or drink (water, tea, coffee) during interviews. I think it makes everything seem more relaxed and less intimidating for both the parents and you.

[Chatter Box]

I also have a questionnaire that I made up. I have a few clipboards. i show them one on how i keep track of everyones hours and another our lunches for the weeks. It shows them I am organized. I put the handbook in a report cover and the contract is separate. I feel like it separates it better and keeps it less overwhelming.

the questionairre has really helped keep me on track with my interviews and reminds me to cover major things like my sick policy details or ask the minor things like an infants eating schedule or whether they are fussy... Sometimes the questions aren't real relevant because a lot of things will change to my own routine but it helps me know and remember what to expect and helps people know that I care or understand about their child's cues or custody situation, ect.

I write down a few short words of their responses on things. I think it lets them know that im taking it seriously and their answers and situations are important to me. They seem to like the professionalism and organization. My house is usually pretty tidy. I've had people remark about that. Most providers around here do not do this and just "wing it". In the past I would forget the parent or child's name or something and it helps to have the facts written down for me or questions to refer back to. Also helps me remember to GIVE the tour because i have forgotten that part a couple times.

Plus if they sign on I keep it in the binder with their contract and medical info and I can refer back to the fact that we covered something thoroughly in the interview and you can refer to their response to you in the sick policy, ect wen it is an issue 6 months later despite the fact that you clearly covered it. :d

[bunnyslippers]

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!)

I am so happy for you! I think, from everything I have read on here, that you are a fabulous provider! Keep that confidence up, and you will have a waiting list! Everything will be great, and this could be your best family yet!!!

[Patches]

Gah! I read thorugh this whole thread and then realized it's almost 6 months old

[mom2many]

Gah! I read thorugh this whole thread and then realized it's almost 6 months old

You aren't alone... I did it earlier too! Grrrrrr!

[daycarediva]

6 months old--grrr

a tip on the smell thing... I turn my oven down to 170* (lowest it will go) and put some essential oil into a pie tin and leave it cracked. In 15 minutes my entire house smells like heaven. (Lavendar, vanilla, orange oil work best imho) I always do that right before interviews, after dinner and in the morning when I am prepping for the day. Everyone ALWAYS comments on how amazing my house smells.

[AmyKidsCo]

I personally don't save anything for after they sign up. I want to make sure I go through them all so that if they ever try to go against one of my policies I can remind them that we went over the policies already and they agreed to them. It doesn't take as long as you'd think with a bulleted list. I say the bulleted list which goes in order as the handbook while I turn the pages in the handbook for them. I make eye contact after reading each to make sure that they understand it. If they squint or furrow their brow it either means they don't understand it or they don't like it ... that's when I pause and discuss it. If they want I email them a parent packet which has a copy of my handbook and contract to look over at home afterwards (saves me paper and ink).

I feel it's important for me to do this because I'm not willing to change any of my policies for any client so if they have an issue with a policy then I make it a point to let them know that it won't work (nicely of course). Most of the time I get a "No it's ok, I understand" and they just go with it but it's a way to make a point that I have the policies for a reason and I'm willing to put my foot down and will enforce them or they should chose someone else. It sets the pace for the future and lets them know that I will be running the show in my daycare. If they sign up then I give them a printed copy of everything and they fill everything out here or they can print everything out at home and fill it out and bring it.

Marina, you go through the policy book even before they decide to enroll their child? I used to give every parent a policy book but mine is 57 pages now and that's a lot of ink and paper! I put mine on my website and have decided to email it to prospective parents so they can read through it before the interview in case they have any questions. It just seems like a waste of time for parents who decide not to enroll, kwim?

[wonderfullisa]

Well, I did see that this is old, but still wanted to reply. I'm not close enough to be any competition, but am not terribly far away from you. My current family lives in Hilliard, but they'll be moving back to my town this June.
I also **** at interviewing. I need to reread this thread every day for awhile to work on confidence.

[tehck_1013]

Is it rude to bring up old posts??? (I'm new) If it is, please don't hate me

Few questions regarding new families, because I'm not licensed yet and will not be interviewing for a while. Trust me, I'll be spending this time wisely building myself up because I too am not very .... bold?



What do the rest of you do for prospective clients, interview wise? In order.

Usually someone calls you or emails you, in which case you would call back right?

How different should all of the steps be? Rates over phone or email first, so no time is wasted? Do you email handbook before face to face interview, and then go over it together in person? Do you sign contracts the day of the interview if they agree to, or do you wait so you have time to ask yourself if they are right for you? If you wait til you are sure, then do you have them come back a second time for signing paperwork and contracts? Do you keep the forms online so they can print, fill out and bring with them so they are mostly ready?

What do you go over on phone or email before tour to weed out the flakes besides prices?

What if someone doesn't want a tour?

What do you do with parents who absolutely don't care about you, your home, your policies, or anything else, and just want to know when they can start? (I've heard it happening...)

Sorry, not trying to sound like an idiot, or that I don't know what I'm doing, just trying to be thorough and make sure I wouldn't be doing things wrong or missing something.

[LadyK8]

Funny enough, the best interview I've had was very much winged. I didn't have the interview checklist that I so badly wanted and often asked for before my first interview a couple of months ago.

My natural giggly personality sold them. The parents informed me that it just felt right. They just felt really comfortable, and that is what most of these parents are looking for.

I had a phone interview with them before they came through, and interacted with the mother through email before then. I think they appreciated how open I was before the tour. I also had answers to all of their questions.

I honestly feel that at the end of the day you can have everything a child and parent could want in a family childcare home, but if neither of you are "feeling" one another, it won't work out.

I hate the interviewing process, but I'm realizing that all I can do is be me, and if the parents want their child here it's because they really loved what they saw from me, and God knows best.

I hope this helped in some way. I'm new at all of this and have only done 3 interviews.


Annnnnnd I feel stupid for not realizing that this is an old post. Lol

[TwinKristi]

I'm glad this was bumped up! It has a lot of great info!! SilverSabre is still here so something worked!!

I'm going to be using some of these tips tomorrow for an interview! And I agree that most people know when they come here whether or not they're going to choose you. I think I have a good shot at my interview tomorrow based on our conversation alone. But I'm sure there's something I could do that could turn them off to my home so I will be sure to try extra hard to hook them! It's for a 9 month old who's coming from a center, doctor encouraged them to find a new daycare after multiple illnesses and bruises. As long as my house is "clean" and I'm nice I think they'd go for me.

[spinnymarie]

I'm glad this was brought back up, it's a very helpful interview thread