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My current interview process is having the family come after hours to see my home, get to know each other and go over the contract. Then the second interview they come during daycare hours to meet the kids and see what it's like. For safety reasons I don't give out my house number until the day of the interview. Due to this I have had a few people not respond back. How do you guys do it? Does anyone meet at a public place first and then the second interview have them come to the house?
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As a parent I personally would pass onto the next provider if a provider make the interview process difficult (interview in a public place, not giving out house number, etc).
We do short phone or email interviews, then we set up an interview/tour for later in the day while some kids are still here and some have left for the day. Their child can interact w/ the current dcks and I can see if will be a good fit that way. As only a few children are still here I have time to talk to the parents, and they have a chance to ask questions and to see me interact w/ the children. -
If they don't respond when you ask the day of, they probably wouldn't show anyway. I don't think any parent would decide NOT to interview b/c they had to wait for the address- those people either would be no call/ no shows or weren't really looking for a daycare spot. Either way, I'd keep doing what you do. I think it's safer, and gives a better idea of who will actually be there for the appointed time
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I interview after hours only.
Parents only need to see me interact with THEIR child. My relationship with other people's kids is none of their business.
They may call a mega load of references if they wish (I actually encourage it), but they never, ever, get to hang out near other people's children.Comment
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I reason I don't give out the house number anymore is because I have had problems in the past. One time a mom never showed up for the interview and a month later showed up on Monday morning to drop off her kids. Another time I had another no show, my house was broken into the next day. The police found the man responsible. The man pretended to be looking for daycare but was instead looking for addresses. He had done it to other daycare providers in the area. I'm trying to keep my daycare kids and my family as safe as possible. Because we don't know the people coming into our home for the interviews.Comment
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I also do the first interview after hours. I always have my husband or adult son with me for safety reasons. Then if they seem fine, they can schedule another time to come while the children are there. I've only had two in 20 years that wanted to come when the children were there....for some reason.
I have no choice about my house number because it is public record on our county licensing website and we do not have the option to not have it there. I asked.
LaurelComment
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I give my address after the interview is scheduled. I understand your concern in giving that info out, but what is really the difference if you give it out the day of the interview or a few days before the interview? Either way you haven't met the person yet.
If you can give a person a general idea of your location that should be enough for them to know if you are convenient for them. If they won't schedule an interview without knowing your EXACT address I would think something is up and wouldn't be interested in interviewing them anyway.
As a parent I would want to visit the daycare, not meet in a public place. They are checking out my home environment as much as they are checking out me personally.Comment
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I think if I called a daycare and they suggested meeting in a public place I would be scared of them!!!
I give my address out when the appointment is set up-Comment
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Our licensing agency posts addresses online. It is a recent thing, and I think it isn't the safest, but I can't fight city hall. So parents already have the address.
I do an initial visit after hours. Go over contract, tour, etc. If they want they can schedule another short visit while DCK are present, but not until I have met them yet.
Sometimes I get calls from people who want to come over immediately. I always think, if their child was in care would they be happy with me letting complete strangers in the house 5 minutes into talking to them on the phone. I don't think so.Comment
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Our state post our address online too. I hate it.
All I can do is be sure to keep my doors locked at all times, set the alarm and make sure we have bullets
That won't stop my house from being broken into, but if it ever is I pray we aren't home.Comment
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