What Do Parents Say They Like About You?

[SignMeUp]

In the past 5-8 years most of my families have interviewed at multiple child care facilities, both home and center. When they end up choosing me, I never think to ask why - what made the difference.
For my most recently enrolled family, I asked. They told me that I gave them good advice that helped them assess other child cares (my home was the first one they looked at), and that I presented things in a way that felt comfortable and conversational, instead of rigid and by-the-book.
At first interview, I go through my policy book and enrollment forms, so I do cover a lot of information. But I also try to answer questions and get a sense of what they are looking for in their child care.

Have you ever asked? What do new families tell you that they like about you? Why did they choose you?

(my best already-enrolled families tell me every so often what a genius i am with infants and children. but maybe they are just '****ing up' :: )

[Annalee]

In the past 5-8 years most of my families have interviewed at multiple child care facilities, both home and center. When they end up choosing me, I never think to ask why - what made the difference.
For my most recently enrolled family, I asked. They told me that I gave them good advice that helped them assess other child cares (my home was the first one they looked at), and that I presented things in a way that felt comfortable and conversational, instead of rigid and by-the-book.
At first interview, I go through my policy book and enrollment forms, so I do cover a lot of information. But I also try to answer questions and get a sense of what they are looking for in their child care.

Have you ever asked? What do new families tell you that they like about you? Why did they choose you?

(my best already-enrolled families tell me every so often what a genius i am with infants and children. but maybe they are just '****ing up' :: )

When I hand out my evaluation at the end of the year for licensing, my 2 biggest compliments are (1) the way we keep them informed well through newsletters, calendars, bulletin board. and (2) our routine that basically runs itself... i.e. breakfast, lunch, nap, snack.... Some families just put we are "good" to their kids "and their kids learn here" and their kids "like to come here". BUT I only have 2 of my parents that I feel are true fans of my program...The others could leave at anytime for someone cheaper or longer hours....I am not naïve enough to think differently.

[midaycare]

1) Price - I'm really competitive for what I offer, and I know this is a major concern with everyone, so it's up there.

2) A curriculum

3) Organic/healthy food only

4) Lots of outdoor food / no tv

5) A nice bright, cheery place space with lots of toys

[BumbleBee]

I've never asked.

But dcm recently told her dd (13 months):

"Miss **** is good for your development. Mommy & daddy are dropping the ball on that one."

It was meant as a compliment & that's how I took it.

[TwinKristi]

I have never really asked. A few have been really quick, like out of necessity it felt like. They called and interviewed Wed-Fri and started on Monday.
One mom interviewed several people and chose me, I was the last person she called. Her dh said that having six boys he knew I had to know what I was doing. Mom was a total control freak though and she ended up quitting her job for awhile and now Grandma has him.
Another mom recently insisted on choosing me before we even met because I had such great references and came so highly recommended. I don't know if she even met with anyone else.
But several people don't choose me so that always makes me :confused: and those are the ones I really want to know why? I wish parents were more open about this, it could help improve our programs.

[Josiegirl]

I've never really come out and asked either, except for the parent surveys I send home every year. They all say I'm amazing but don't offer details. Sometimes it makes me feel like I'm fudging everything. Yeh, I have a problem with self-confidence. I truly love their children, even the ones who drive me bonkers. They do say I teach their kids everything they need to know to start kindergarten. One said she appreciates my efforts in feeding them a healthy menu.

But I feel so much like Twinkristi, wish I knew why the ones that didn't pick me went somewhere else. It might help me to offer things I didn't think of.

[CraftyMom]

I also wish I knew the "why nots".

The families I have now like that their kids enjoy coming here and are happy. They tell me how much their kids are learning. They like that the kids get along so well together, and they like that their kids talk about me and their daycare friends so much at home. They often tell me "you're so good with them", but nothing specific.

They also like that we take field trips, although I'm pretty sure that wasn't a reason for signing on.

I have had several people tell me they like the positive feel of my home. One mom told me she likes how I decorate my home, it is similar to her decorating taste and makes it feel more comfortable for her.

My last interview that signed on said she likes that my house is so clean and uncluttered. In my head I was thinking Really? This house? She must have looked at some really cluttered and messy daycares previously! ::

[Blackcat31]

I always ask parents why they did or didn't choose me.

The biggest reasons I've been given for wanting to enroll are:

1) No TV/NO electronic devices or battery operated toys
Some of my families do not own TV's and LOVE the no electronics rule/policy

2) Separate space (parents love that I don't live here)
Parents have said it helps them with the division of business and home as well. They like that I don't have rooms that are off limits or private, no family members coming and going and there is basically nothing in my child care that is not for the children. NONE of my personal items etc are here.
My toddler room is one big mural from floor to ceiling on all four walls, the other decor is ALL kid art and bulletin boards.

3) Separate rooms for age groups.
I have a toddler room and a separate preschool room that neither age group is allowed in as well as main rooms for group activities that everyone participates in. Each room has age appropriate toys and furniture in it so each age is allowed time away from the others. (this seems to be important to families with siblings that don't want their children together all day)

4) Community participation
I partner with the local YMCA and offer swimming lessons to my preschoolers (transportation is included) and we partner with Community Education so we have several programs such as Mobile Library, gymnastics, dance and a music teacher who comes and gives a music lesson, a yoga mom who does baby/kid yoga 4x a month with us, and community people who come into our programs during certain lessons.

5) Healthy meals and snacks (no boxed or processed foods)
I buy organic when I can but for the most part we just focus on healthy choices/options and ALL my kids are great eaters. We also have a vegetable garden so the kids grow alot of their own fresh veggies to eat

6) Me. :: I cannot stress open communication enough!
I'm friendly, welcoming, flexible and reasonable. Parents have said that I made them feel comfortable and at ease with leaving their child. I also am VERY clear and up front about my rules and policies so parents know EXACTLY what my expectations are from them as well as making sure I listen to them about their concerns and expectations.

Several parents have also said they like my philosophy in regards to children. Things such as playing fair, being kind and having manners. (I do NOT teach kids that life is fair/equal) We focus on how to be a good loser and gracious winner, etc. I do NOT force kids to play with everyone but how to kindly decline with manners. Natural consequences are BIG here.

I have also had several parents comment on how well my group behaves when I am interviewing and the pro-social skills and patience they exhibit when I am busy SHOWS parents that my DCK's ARE well behaved and thrive in the environment I provide.

**************************************************************
The biggest reasons given as to why a parent did not want to enroll:

1) Rates
I am on the higher end of rates in my area and do NOT offer daily or hourly rates

2) No TV/electronics
I've done several interviews where a parent wanted their child to have their i-pad or Gameboy or be able to watch movies during the day

3) No holding spaces or sibling discount
I've had several families decline to enroll because I don't hold spaces over the summer months or during lay offs and I do NOT give sibling discounts

4) No school kids/transportation
I do NOT take SA'ers and the buses do not stop at my house for pick up or drop off.

[NightOwl]

I've never asked.... But I just had one family who were thinking of moving to Texas. Dad got a job and went ahead. Mom fiddled and delayed and put off until finally she said she wasn't going. Turns out, she couldn't find a "me" in Texas. And didn't want to leave the original "me". Lol. So dad quit his job and he's back here now. I think that's the best compliment I've ever received or could hope to receive. They wouldn't move because they couldn't take me with them.

[SignMeUp]

I've never asked.... But I just had one family who were thinking of moving to Texas. Dad got a job and went ahead. Mom fiddled and delayed and put off until finally she said she wasn't going. Turns out, she couldn't find a "me" in Texas. And didn't want to leave the original "me". Lol. So dad quit his job and he's back here now. I think that's the best compliment I've ever received or could hope to receive. They wouldn't move because they couldn't take me with them.

That is soo amazing, Wednesday
I have never had a family do that, but I had one who decided to drive from a neighboring state for their younger daughter's final year, after building a new house. They drove almost an hour east, past mom's workplace, another half hour to my house, then mom drove back to work. At night, reverse. I thought they would do it temporarily and then find it wasn't worth it. But they did it all year Oh my my my how I love them :: Plus I have had dozens of referrals from them for about fifteen years now

[TwinKristi]

My last interview that signed on said she likes that my house is so clean and uncluttered. In my head I was thinking Really? This house? She must have looked at some really cluttered and messy daycares previously! ::

:: This happens to me too! People always say how clean my house is... I'm like :: I have 5 school aged boys, 2 adults and a 2yr old terror plus 2-4 other kiddies under 3 here daily. How on earth is my house considered clean to someone who has one child?? LOL

[KiddieCahoots]

I like this thread!
When you sit and actually think about it....what a confidence booster!
Thanks SingMeUp, perfect beginning to the day!

I have had the evaluations returned that say.....I'm truly caring and passionate at my job and the well being of the children, new moms have stated they were scared to leave their child, until they met me, and saw how happy and comfortable their child was with me, easing their minds to having go back to work.
My current families love what their preschoolers tell them about what we are learning, and have thanked me for some of their lively dinner conversations, (I can only imagine : My family resource has informed me of a wait list they have for me, because my kids that leave to school have been performing on a high level, especially social and emotional.
A principle and co-director of a center, that I have in the past and presently worked with, have stated they wish I could be their nanny, and if I ever plan to move, they want to know where we will be moving to

[playground1]

I work with two other ladies and we were a great team. (I recently got a new job but don't start for a couple of weeks.) We have reviews from the parents once a year and they were all very happy. Some of my better qualities are that I 1) speak English with them 2) obviously love them 3) am patient but strict.

I don't think I've ever actually had a complaint. happyface

[SignMeUp]

I like this thread!
When you sit and actually think about it....what a confidence booster!
Thanks SingMeUp, perfect beginning to the day!

I'm glad you like it
So how it's gone for me: In the dark ages when I began childcare:: every person who visited signed up, usually on the spot, that same day.

I have always had great feedback at the end of our years. I think that's because parents get super feedback at the pre-K assessment that is now required here. My kids are known to be well-prepared, and even during special ed evaluations, most evaluators comment that they know I run a quality program. I found that at one school teachers were placing informal bets on which children came from my house :: One child respectfully argued with an evaluator over the meaning of a "big word" ... and the child was right :: So that's all good. This year, both of my soon-to-be-K children's parents were asked where their children went to preschool, because they were found to be exceptionally well-prepared. (And for the record, I do not believe in teaching to any test/standard/etc. I believe in developmentally appropriate interactions with my children, which can be different for every child at every age. I believe in meeting a child "where they are at".)

But what I am now trying to put my finger on is why some parents choose me and some do not, from our initial interview and visit. Because these days, not every parent chooses me, and most interview at multiple places. One showed me their spreadsheet of 65 childcares they were checking out! And some tell me that they are serious about attending my child care :confused::confused: and then I never hear from them again

So now I am trying to remember to ask people (I need to put this on one of my forms!) why they chose me, how I stood out to them, what they saw here that they didn't see elsewhere.

Not sure if I will contact people who don't choose me for further info - I believe in letting sleeping dogs lie and I never chase down people to see if they are choosing me. But ... never say never. Ooops, I just did ::

So far, I have remembered to ask once ::::::

[SignMeUp]

I have never really asked. ...
several people don't choose me so that always makes me :confused: and those are the ones I really want to know why? I wish parents were more open about this, it could help improve our programs.

I think so too. But because I value parents who chose me, I don't make follow-up calls/emails/etc. unless I specifically told them I would send them information about something. (Usually sleep environment!)

And partly, I think that there is not a lot I would change. But I would like to know what parents are currently placing value on in the child care setting.