How Would You Proceed?

[BumbleBee]

Parent contacted me last week (Tuesday) regarding child care. She obtained my # from a currrent dcp. We set up an interview for Monday (today) after hours. On Friday she introduced herself to me while we were both at the school picking up kids. As I was leaving the school with my SA another provider from the area pulled me aside and informed me that the parent who contacted me & introduced herself had:

Shown up unannounced on 5 seperate occasions

Left the provider with no notice and owing money

Broke numerous policies


So, how would you proceed in this situation? Would you simply act as if you know nothing and treat it as a normal interview? Cancel the interview (I feel this option is unprofessional)? Ask the dcp if you can contact the previous provider? If they say no, then what? I've never been in this situation and I scheduled the interview before I was aware of the information from the other provider.

TIA

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

If you don't want to cancel the interview, I would definitely "ask" what provider they used before and tell them that you would be contacting them as a reference.

[Cradle2crayons]

Yep, I always ask who they used before and why they left care. What problems they had with the previous providers etc. that very important information. And when I contact another provider, I take what they say with a grain of salt. There are always two sides. I definitely wouldn't cancel the interview.mbut I would ask a lot of questions and get personal references as well.

[Mom&Provider]

I'd go ahead with the interview, ask about previous care etc. but I think you are already on the side of not taking them on based on your post. Always keep in mind there are 2-sides to every story too! Some of what happened could be a misunderstanding, or not, you have to be very careful.

I'm not sure you need to tell them that you will be calling the previous care provider, that seems kinda like a threat to me, especially since you already know what you will be told! If anything, I'd cover yourself at the end and mention others coming to consider the spot and you will let her know. Why you chose not to take her is none of her business and you are really free to make up your own opinions!

[NeedaVaca]

I would take the interview and decide for yourself. Be very thorough going through your policies and as long as you require payment in advance you won't be out money. Some people take the 2 week deposit as well for the last 2 weeks of care if you require a 2 week notice.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would take the interview and decide for yourself. Be very thorough going through your policies and as long as you require payment in advance you won't be out money. Some people take the 2 week deposit as well for the last 2 weeks of care if you require a 2 week notice.

I do this after being burned. I apply their security deposit (2 weeks of tuition) to their final 2 weeks of care should they give written notice.

[Blackcat31]

Some of my best families came to me with the worst reviews from other providers.

There are two sides to every story.

...I'd interview, be especially firm in discussing your policies and make sure you have policies in place that protect you from being shorted money or having to deal with unwanted behaviors.

[butterfly]

Some of my best families came to me with the worst reviews from other providers.

There are two sides to every story.

...I'd interview, be especially firm in discussing your policies and make sure you have policies in place that protect you from being shorted money or having to deal with unwanted behaviors.

[renodeb]

I would go ahead with the interview. Just bare in mind that there are already red flags. The biggy being the owing money. That alone would give me pause. Usually if they leave owing one person money they will repeat. Let us know what happens.
Deb

[renodeb]

I would go ahead with the interview. Just bare in mind that there are already red flags. The biggy being the owing money. That alone would give me pause. Usually if they leave owing one person money they will repeat. Let us know what happens. I have found that if they have left owing money that they will say that the provider was at fault or something.
Deb

[BumbleBee]

No show.

Thanks for the advice :-) I'll file it away for next time.

[MyAngels]

No show.

Thanks for the advice :-) I'll file it away for next time.

Figures, right?

I'd say you may have dodged a bullet.

[AmyKidsCo]

Figures, right?

I'd say you may have dodged a bullet.

[Mom&Provider]

No show.

Thanks for the advice :-) I'll file it away for next time.

Well that made that one easy!

[MamaBearCanada]

I love it when a problem solves itself ::