More Wasted Interviews...

[EchoMom]

Seriously, how do I cut down on wasted interviews?! I can't STAND it! It's all I can do to bite my tongue and not cuss people out and call them stupid idiots when they say how much they loved my daycare but it's farther than they thought so no thank you.

It's possible this is just a lie to be polite, but it doesn't seem to be. I seriously don't get it. I give people my address before the interview, I tell them to mapquest it and confirm that the location will work for them and then so often I do an interview just to find out oh sorry it's too far.

WTH!!!!????? We've figured that it takes about 4 interviews to get one to sign up. I HATE this reason because it's nothing but a total total waste.

[rmc20021]

Unfortunately it's all part of the business. I've had a few also. Years ago if I did an interview it was pretty much a given the family would sign, but I think these days parents are much better educated and do a lot more research.

I once (not long ago) had a lady come for an interview with her infant who once she told me where she lived, I KNEW there was no way she was going to drive that far for childcare...especially after she told me she was interviewing with another daycare which was very near her work and right on the way.

These parents may be better educated in what kinds of questions to ask etc, but they certainly are not better educated in etiquette.

[Evansmom]

I hear ya! Had quite a few that were a waste of time myself. Now I be sure to have a phone interview prior to our first in person interview. I ask basic questions that are deal breakers for me like what age is their child (I work with 2's and up only), are they looking for full or part time ( I only have 3 spots total), then go over where I'm located and proceed from there. It doesn't eliminate waste of time interviews maybe it cuts down on them a bit.

[auntie_em]

At one point, when I was desperate for kids (which I'm not anymore, I'm legally able to take more but won't) I would interview once or twice a week and it was always no (10 or 20 interviews) for this reason or that. I'd say a phone interview is definitely the way to go. Go over your activities too (had one parent who was looking for more educational stuff then her daycare provider that she had was doing) which I wan't at the time.

[blandino]

We have a Facebook page setup, with info - hours, entire copy of policies, pictures, info on the program, etc. It gives prospective parents a really great feel of our program... I direct them there to look around and then if they want to ask additional questions or schedule an interview, they can call me.

Having an entire copy of our policies available before interviews has made a WORLD of difference. Parents have already looked over everything, and come with specific questions about my policies - and I don't have to waster time going over things they have already read. It also weeds out people who are looking for things I don't offer (extended hours, not charging for vacation time, etc.).

Facebook.com/landinofamilydaycare

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

We have a Facebook page setup, with info - hours, entire copy of policies, pictures, info on the program, etc. It gives prospective parents a really great feel of our program... I direct them there to look around and then if they want to ask additional questions or schedule an interview, they can call me.

Having an entire copy of our policies available before interviews has made a WORLD of difference. Parents have already looked over everything, and come with specific questions about my policies - and I don't have to waster time going over things they have already read. It also weeds out people who are looking for things I don't offer (extended hours, not charging for vacation time, etc.).

Facebook.com/landinofamilydaycare

I do something similar (except they are directed to both my website and my Facebook page which has photos uploaded). I also attach my Parent Handbook (it's on the website as well) and ask that they review it in its entirety.

Since doing this I've had less "pointless" interviews. It hasn't completely weeded them out because people are still crazy at times , but for the most part...

[Starburst]

I think the only way to truely cut down on 'wasted interviews' is to charge for the interview- even if they don't choose you at least you get paid . It will most likely discourage "looky-loos" (people who are not seriously considering your daycare just want some options or people who are planning on starting a daycare and trying to get free advice/ideas because they think you wont help them). But then again charging for the interview may intimidate some parents, and some may even say it comes off as greedy.

Don't take it too personally. Sometimes they may be really interested in your program but figure in other factors like the cost or the commute time (longer distance= more gas) and just decide to pick a place closer to home or work. Or they may like everything in your program but notice that another program offers something you don't (maybe you only care for a certain age group but they want a provider who will still take their child after a certain age). Don't always think of it as "wasted time" because they can still recommend you to other parents they know (ones who may live closer to you or that they know would be a great fit for your program).

[Unregistered]

Back to your original statement about distances - I've signed a new family who is coming to my daycare, then travelling back to the town where they live, and then on to their work in the next city in the opposite direction. At the interview I asked if they really want to do all that driving? I certainly wouldn't! But yes, because the grandmother knows who I am. I think if someone wants to have their child in your care, they'll overcome any obstacle, and if they don't, any excuse will serve!

[CrackerJacks]

I make sure all parents have viewed all my information on my website, pictures, tuition, philosophy, schedule etc. I also email a copy of my Parent Handbook and ask that it be reviewed prior to our meeting. But, by far the best thing that I've done is to hold 1 monthly Open House Event for all interested families. It's 1x a month for 1hr on a weekend. If parents are really interested after viewing all my information then they come to the event. I no longer have parents come during the work week or all the time on the weekends. I would suggest setting up a website with all of your information.

[Starburst]

I make sure all parents have viewed all my information on my website, pictures, tuition, philosophy, schedule etc. I also email a copy of my Parent Handbook and ask that it be reviewed prior to our meeting. But, by far the best thing that I've done is to hold 1 monthly Open House Event for all interested families. It's 1x a month for 1hr on a weekend. If parents are really interested after viewing all my information then they come to the event. I no longer have parents come during the work week or all the time on the weekends. I would suggest setting up a website with all of your information.

I thought about doing that too, it would just seem kind of hard to get a group of parents that are all available at one time and to really have a chance to talk to parents one-on-one that are interested in the program.

[SilverSabre25]

I wish I knew how to cut down on them. They drive me batty and there seem to be a lot of them around here. I honestly think part of it is our area, and how vastly over-populated the whole city is with home daycares. And, how little most parents seem to value the things we offer. They just want cheap care, and they all seem irked by paid vacations and holidays (NOT that I'm going to stop taking paid time off!), and a lot of them seem to want really lax/flexible policies that allow them to basically run your house.

At least, that's been my experience.