I Find it So Frustrating...

[CraftyMom]

When an interview goes great and the family would be a good fit and I feel certain they are interested....but they're not! Especially when I really need a spot filled and everything seemed great!

Do you ever ask why when a family decides not to enroll? I never have but I would really like to, just to know if there is something I should change

[Heidi]

Yes, I have...

Mom told me that I was "just to serious" about daycare for her (contract, policies, license, etc).

A couple months later, she called to ask if I still had an opening. I said, "sure, someone just moved, so I have an opening, why?"

"Well, I went to the farm to pick up Katie (3), and found her wandering around the barn, and it took me a while to find the babysitter".

I guess "serious" has it's benefits, eh?

One of my best daycare kids and moms, btw.

[butterfly]

:hug:

I've never asked. I doubt I'd get a real honest answer anyways. I always count it as a blessing in disguise when I have a family decide not to enroll. I rationalize that there must be something wrong with THEM. ::

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I haven't ever asked but that is something to consider.

[NoMoreJuice!]

Took awhile

I took awhile for me to get the nerve up to start asking parents I had interviewed with what made them decide to go another direction for daycare. Most often it was that they had found a lower price, but I had one very nice mom (we had gone to high school together, she was a grade above me) tell me in very kind terms, that my house didn't seem like a daycare home. It was very sparse and not very warm (not temperature, more like ambiance). I take pride in having a very organized house and everything in it's place after daycare is over for the day. But I did see her point, and made sure all the curtains were open and all lights turned on, plus hung some of the kids' artwork on the walls. I think it helped!

[Childminder]

I often ask and every time it has been because they have chosen cheaper or unlicensed and I am not that expensive.

[Laurel]

Years ago I had a couple come like that. They seemed to really like me, were very nice, etc. I thought for sure they would call back but no.

About 3 years later, a couple called for an interview and it was them at the door for their second child. I hadn't remembered their name but after a bit both the mom and I remembered. So the second time they seemed kind of hesitant but said they wanted to start. The next day I got a call that they had changed their mind. I asked why and she said that she was looking for something more academic. They wanted me to be doing a curriculum and I have a play care kind of situation. We probably do as much or more than any curriculum but she sweetly declined.

After that though at interviews, I hand the parents pictures that I have taken of daycare children over the years. It shows them doing counters, painting, outside with water play and on and on. All my children are kindergarten ready. She wasn't a good fit but at least I knew why I got turned down twice! Lol!

Laurel

[CraftyMom]

:hug:

I've never asked. I doubt I'd get a real honest answer anyways. I always count it as a blessing in disguise when I have a family decide not to enroll. I rationalize that there must be something wrong with THEM. ::

Very true! I probably just dodged a bullet ::

[daycare]

have not had a chance to read all of the other responses, but does the child do this with all foods or just certain ones?

Ihave one that will hold carrots in his mouth FOREVER. The kid does not like them but because they are on his plate he puts them in his mouth. I got sick of having to do a finger sweep on a 2 year old so I just stopped putting them on his plate. He does it with apples too when the skin is on it.

I tell him if you want your milk, spit it our or swallow it. He normally will now.

[Brustkt]

I was turned down once a few years back from a family who I thought we had a great interview with. They told me they decided to go with the other provider because they knew some of the other families that she provided for. While they were interviewing, they did ask me who else I cared for. I live in a very small town. Well, a year later they were trying(and have been ever since)to get into my daycare. I never have an opening for them however... But I guess I now have the 'right' clientele. Also, the provider they chose transports ALL DAY LONG! She has a 16 passenger bus and transports to preschools and kindergarten...to and from...which means she has to buckle those kids up at least 3 times a day. Well it seems one day she left a toddler sleeping in the van and when the parents came to pick up, she was out there screaming. YEP...that was the family that turned me down!

[TwinKristi]

I've had this happen a lot. I'm still quite new at this (licensed 18mos but doing daycare legally unlicensed much longer) and it was tough at first. I have never asked but a few people voluntarily told me that they "found someone closer." That seems to be the most common answer I've gotten. One mom only lived like 1 mile away, came back for a second interview with her older son, two of her cousin's have used me. She used the excuse of finding someone closer but there's maybe 2-3 other providers that would be closer? Another mom lived maybe 2 miles away and there's probably 2-3 more providers in that next mile or more a mile the other way! Very saturated area! Anyway, I had one recently that I really thought was a great fit, they said they were very happy with things and they even called references and such but never even called me back or emailed.

This is seriously one of the most aggravating parts of doing daycare. The interviewing process is just so tedious and nerve-wracking for me. But I've nailed my last 4 interviews, 3 have joined in the last 3 mos and the 4th quit her job the day after telling me she wanted to bring her DS. I have watched him once last week as a drop-in, so I know it's really the case. That makes me proud! There was a point where every call and interview bombed!! :confused:

[Sugar Magnolia]

have not had a chance to read all of the other responses, but does the child do this with all foods or just certain ones?

Ihave one that will hold carrots in his mouth FOREVER. The kid does not like them but because they are on his plate he puts them in his mouth. I got sick of having to do a finger sweep on a 2 year old so I just stopped putting them on his plate. He does it with apples too when the skin is on it.

I tell him if you want your milk, spit it our or swallow it. He normally will now.

daycare:::::: made my day wrong thread::::

[ruckey04]

When an interview goes great and the family would be a good fit and I feel certain they are interested....but they're not! Especially when I really need a spot filled and everything seemed great!

Do you ever ask why when a family decides not to enroll? I never have but I would really like to, just to know if there is something I should change

I totally agree with you!

[Josiegirl]

Are these interviewees calling back to decline? I'm not usually that lucky. I just never hear back from mine that decline.
It would really be interesting to know sometimes, just in case I'm behind the times in what I offer here, or need to tweak what families are looking for.

[CraftyMom]

Are these interviewees calling back to decline? I'm not usually that lucky. I just never hear back from mine that decline.
It would really be interesting to know sometimes, just in case I'm behind the times in what I offer here, or need to tweak what families are looking for.

I had an interview on Tuesday, the mom texted back on Thursday that they decided to go in a different direction. I decided to text back and ask if there was anything specific that made them decide to go another way but she didn't respond. I just wonder if it was something that could have been worked out, or questions they didn't ask for clarification, or was it the space, or the program? Or are my policies too strict? Is there something I could change? I just would like to know. It's probably better off, but I'd hate to lose a good fit due to a misunderstanding and them not asking questions if they had any more kwim?

It may be because they wanted to pick up at 1:00 and I don't allow pick ups during nap.

Oh well, another family will come along soon! I hope