References

[blandino]

When you pass out references to prospective families...

How many references do you include ?

Do you include both past & present clients ?

How do you choose who is on the list ?

I was going over my policies & references tonight and was just curious how everyone else narrowed it down.

[HomeMADE]

I give 3 references, I only have 4 spots so I have not had to give out references willy nilly. I allow include them after a deposit. This way my referrers don't get a ton of needless calls. I also rotate who is each spot so that they don't ask to be removed.

A past/present client - I usually like to use a present client, that way I can inform them that they were used as a reference.

A personal reference - While it may seem that your friends are going to give you a reference always, mostly true. I think it is good for them to hear from someone close to you that does not work with you. Really the interested party is just hearing/seeing and understanding the kind of people you spend your time with.

A professional reference - I have past group childcare experience so I have a pool of people that I can use in this category since parents don't really get to see your work ethic and or witness you daily interaction with the children.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I have honestly never been asked for references and if I were I would have to compile a list to e-mail.

[blandino]

I have honestly never been asked for references and if I were I would have to compile a list to e-mail.

I've never been asked, I just include them in our packet of papers we give out at interviews. Most of my current parents say they didn't call, since most are referred here by a friend, but I still hand them out regardless.

Right now I have a list of all 13 current families, as well as 4/5 past ones. I never really thought about it, but I think I should trim it down.

[Blackcat31]

Included in my packet for enrollment is a reference sheet.

I include several clients that are current, several who have left my care.

BOTH due to their own choice and families I have termed.

I think prospective clients like to hear from those clients who no longer have a vested interest in my program.

Like everyone else, I have also had a few who have left on really bad terms and I am sure they were "not-so-great" word of mouth advertising for me after the fact but it hasn't happened in so long I don't worry about them now.

[crazydaycarelady]

I only offer references if it is someone who is a complete stranger to me (not referred by a past/present client, friend, or relative.) Then I give out 2 of my current clients and I let the current clients know they may get a call.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Oh! I DID have one crazy interview (crazy with other things, not asking to speak to enrolled clients) where the lady wanted to know if she could speak to anybody enrolled. I told her to log on to the Facebook page since the parents are tagged in many of the photos and to feel free to contact them.

[MarinaVanessa]

I give out references to every potential client that has completed a phone and in person interview. if they are still interested after going through that then I give them a copy of my Parent Packet (with my contract and policies) which includes my resume and my references. My references include 2 current and 2 past clients. I always get the clients permission to have them on my reference list and I have about 3 or 4 lists with different clients on them that I rotate each time I have a spot. This way the people on my lists don't get called all the time.

From what I know only one potential client has ever called my references even after strongly urging people to always call references when looking for child care and that was recently but she is a teacher so that makes sense (at a preschool. Shes all about finding quality child care and doing your homework.