Would You Call This A Red Flag?

[EchoMom]

So I had an interview a few weeks ago that went VERY VERY well and I thought for sure I was going to sign them up. But then at the last minute a problem arose... Turns out the DCM was friends of a friend of a family I had recently termed and that family had badmouthed me somehow for terming them on "short notice." Don't know what else was said bad about me, etc. But although the DCM seemed VERY VERY interested, she ended up chosing another provider.

Now, a couple weeks later she just emailed me saying she was embarrassed, but it isn't working out with the other provider and do I still have a spot available? And she's sorry, she felt like she was pressured into making a decision she wasn't comfortable with.

I told her I'd still be happy to provide care for her daughter, but I would like to know what didn't work out with the other provider, and was there any other reasons she chose the other provider over me if there was something I could improve on, if possible.

Would you think it's a red flag? Or that she just did get pressured by the friend of a friend situation who was badmouthing me and made a mistake and now wants to come to my daycare which is what she really wanted to do all along.

Thoughts??

[wdmmom]

She may have had the pressure from her friends, but I dont believe thats really an excuse.

Before signing her on, I would ask for the providers name and number. Give her a jingle. See how things went, what didn't work out, how her payment history is, etc.

I would definitely suggest approaching with caution before enrolling.

[Heidi]

I'd give her a chance, just make sure to be very clear about policies, etc.

She's giving you her baby, and if YOUR friend said "don't take your baby there because ***..." you might think twice too. I'd give her the benefit of the doubt.

[crazydaycarelady]

I think she might be a good one to take. She'll probably really appreciate you now has the ability to admit a mistake and apologize?? That sounds like a keeper!

[cheerfuldom]

I would do it on a trial basis. She obviously realized she made a mistake. I think its a good sign that she apologized and seemed to approach you respectfully about it.

[daycare]

She may have had the pressure from her friends, but I dont believe thats really an excuse.

Before signing her on, I would ask for the providers name and number. Give her a jingle. See how things went, what didn't work out, how her payment history is, etc.

I would definitely suggest approaching with caution before enrolling.

I would also want to find out why it didnt work out with the other provider.... I always ask why people are looking for care. Sometimes it turns out that they don't like the Daycare policies and then I have to tell them I have the same policy, so coming here would be no different.....

If it was just something where the hours conflicted, then I would consider taking that child....

[LK5kids]

I'd give her a chance, just make sure to be very clear about policies, etc.

She's giving you her baby, and if YOUR friend said "don't take your baby there because ***..." you might think twice too. I'd give her the benefit of the doubt.

Same thoughts here!

[MarinaVanessa]

I'd give her another shot also BUT I think I not only would want to check up on the previous provider I'd also want to know what was her motive for not choosing me ... as in what that was said to her about my DC made her choose another provider.

If it was simply the idea that the other family thinks I terminated with short notice and I gave them a 2 week notice then I'd just explain that it's an appropriate amount of time to terminate a client. If I terminated abruptly with no notice due to some issue such as the child's behavior, rudeness on the parent's part, constant late payments etc. then I'd address that issue without actually discussing specifics with them. Something like:

DCM: _____ said that you terminated services without any notice so I chose a different provider.
ME: I see, well ... unfortunately _____ had needs that I couldn't fill and so going our separate ways was the best thing for both of us. I have a certain way of running my business as you can see by my contract and handbook and I expect all of my clients to follow the policies. I wish her and her family well and don't harbor any ill feeling towards them, we just weren't a good fit. If you have read and follow the policies you and I won't have any issues at all. (all being said with a sincere tone and smile).

This way you are not only clarifying that you weren't just being spiteful and terminated without notice for no reason you are also setting the tone to let her know "hey, follow the policies and we won't have issues". You also aren't giving out specifics or breaking any privacy policies.

[coolconfidentme]

Similar situation:
I interview for a parent with 3 children. Everything went well & she was going to sign on. Two days later I get a text saying she will not need my services.

The following Monday she came to my daycare asking if I would give her another chance. I asked her why she choose not to go with me when we interviewed..., can I improve on something. She told me her current provider bad mouth me when she she put in her notice & bullied her into staying. (I do NOT know this person & she doesn't know me. )

I told the parent it was an unfortunate situation she was put in & took her kids on. She has since refereed another child to my daycare.

[jessrlee]

I think it's awesome that she is so honest. I would give her a chance!

[Heidi]

She may have had the pressure from her friends, but I dont believe thats really an excuse.

Before signing her on, I would ask for the providers name and number. Give her a jingle. See how things went, what didn't work out, how her payment history is, etc.

I would definitely suggest approaching with caution before enrolling.

I don't know about calling the other provider, unless she knows her. It would be the word of a complete stranger; somewhere where things "didn't work out". I'd say the other provider has too much of a stake in it to be objective.

[countrymom]

I would take them, first because it takes alot to apoligize and that is pretty good. Also, I bet you that her friend had bad mouthed you and told her not to choose you.

but I would ask why she didn't like there. It could be anything.

I had a mom who came to an interview, her friend acually told her to go to the other daycare. So when the mom went, she was shocked by the conditions of the daycare. The other mom was persuading her to go to the other one. But mom ended up coming back to me. But I did ask why she didn't like it there, its always nice to know what I can improve on and things like this. (the mom was shocked at the amount of sick kids in the daycare and the dog was like the snot of the kids faces)

[BumbleBee]

I would take them, first because it takes alot to apoligize and that is pretty good. Also, I bet you that her friend had bad mouthed you and told her not to choose you.

but I would ask why she didn't like there. It could be anything.

I had a mom who came to an interview, her friend acually told her to go to the other daycare. So when the mom went, she was shocked by the conditions of the daycare. The other mom was persuading her to go to the other one. But mom ended up coming back to me. But I did ask why she didn't like it there, its always nice to know what I can improve on and things like this. (the mom was shocked at the amount of sick kids in the daycare and the dog was like the snot of the kids faces)

*gag* at that last line. Where is the vomit icon when you need it!

[KEG123]

I would let her come. All clients have a trial period so I wouldn't worry about that. But to me, it shows real maturity to me for someone to apologize like that. I'd actually try to get her to spill on what her friend said about your daycare and try and clear the air there and "defend" yourself.

[EchoMom]

Well, she replied again. I'd said the position was still available, but I had concerns and would like to know what she was unhappy with about the other provider.

Do you think these are red flags? I'm getting a really bad feeling about it.

The reasons she said were:
1. Her 17 month old clings to her and cries at drop off (she would do that here to)
2. They don't have many toys (maybe they're just not all out?)
3. She feels mislead
4. The doors were unlocked at drop off (mine are too)
5. The teenage daughter was changing a diaper (I let my niece change wet diapers and help with babies too because she is excellent and loves to)
6. When she arrived to drop off the provider didn't greet her for 7 min and was upstairs. (maybe she had to go to the bathroom) but the teenager was keeping an eye on the toddler walking around and the baby was strapped in the car seat in the living room.

I would not put a child in a car seat, but it seems perfectly fine to me that for 7 min maybe she was checking her email, maybe she was going to the bathroom, maybe she was switching the laundry, etc. etc. And it sounds perfectly fine to me that the teenager was watching the kids, especially if it was only one toddler and one baby.