Coming Out Of The Woodwork

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

Ok, it's not really that bad, but some of my interviews have been a little odd.

I'm not complaining. I have an opening and have been swamped with inquiries for daycare, which is a blessing. There was a dry spell about 5/6 years ago that scared me, due to the economy, so I am most certainly not complaining.

But, the 2 I have interviewed for this opening were something else. One was overly concerned about the gender of one age group (her child is the opposite of the 2 I have enrolled) and basically in doubt that I could possibly take care of her preschool child with 2 toddlers and 2 babies around as well. I'm sorry, what part of "group care" confused you? No thanks. Pass. Next!

Then, a lady calls and basically says that they are too good for in-home care but can't afford their big, shiny center anymore at the end of our phone conversation. I was totally but kept our interview anyway, mostly because I just had to meet this incredibly rude woman. I did, and she was not some riches-to-rags witch I was expecting, but just a plain old moron. She didn't even bring her kid with her. :confused:

So, I'm tempted to just offer the spot to one of them and cancel the next 4 potentials, because I HATE HATE HATE interviewing, and I'm losing faith in humanity overall. ::

[e.j.]

Hang in there! The next 4 - or at least one of the next 4 - could be exactly what you're looking for and you'd hate to have to turn them down because you alread filled the spot. It does seem to be harder to find a good match these days! It never used to be a problem but I will have several spots to fill come the fall (kids aging out or moving) and I have a feeling it will take that long to find families that are a good fit. Good luck with the next 4 interviews!

[nannyde]

Hang in there! The next 4 - or at least one of the next 4 - could be exactly what you're looking for and you'd hate to have to turn them down because you alread filled the spot. It does seem to be harder to find a good match these days! It never used to be a problem but I will have several spots to fill come the fall (kids aging out or moving) and I have a feeling it will take that long to find families that are a good fit. Good luck with the next 4 interviews!

It is getting harder. I wonder if child care can really continue as before because of how high the percentage of behavioral disorders in parents.

[Shell]

I had two sets of parents interview for the same spot, and I did like both parents personally. However, they just didn't get the concept of group care, and seemed a better fit for a nanny. I'm kind of kicking myself now, because I still haven't filled the spot, and might not for several months. On the other hand, it likely would have been a nightmare working with these parents, so I guess it is for the best. I agree that you should keep interviewing. I really don't like doing interviews, but a good fit is worth waiting for!

[Shell]

It is getting harder. I wonder if child care can really continue as before because of how high the percentage of behavioral disorders in parents.

I feel like the past few I have interviewed are sooo vastly different from the ones I enrolled even less than a year ago. Parents seem to want curriculum for infants (no joke, and I remember you made mention of this in an old post), and a level of care that cannot possibly be done while attending to other children. It's a strange shift in parenting that I am noticing, and I really hope it's just individuals, and not a trend.

[SilverSabre25]

My most recent one was incredulous that I can take care of more than one let alone 6 at a time. She can't handle her TWO MONTH OLD.

I liked her and was eager to take her son, she was quiet happy with me (or seemed that way), said that she got a good vibe, etc. But either something from my references displeased her or my son's behavior in the last five minutes of the interview ruined it. I never heard back.

Does anyone NOT have their own children present at interviews? I feel like they lose it for me.

[cheerfuldom]

My most recent one was incredulous that I can take care of more than one let alone 6 at a time. She can't handle her TWO MONTH OLD.

I liked her and was eager to take her son, she was quiet happy with me (or seemed that way), said that she got a good vibe, etc. But either something from my references displeased her or my son's behavior in the last five minutes of the interview ruined it. I never heard back.

Does anyone NOT have their own children present at interviews? I feel like they lose it for me.

I never have my own kids or any kids at interview. Never had a parent cancel an interview because of that. Always evening, always just them and me. I can handle my own kids on a daily basis but the last thing I need is one of them to freak out during an interview.

[cheerfuldom]

Ok, it's not really that bad, but some of my interviews have been a little odd.

I'm not complaining. I have an opening and have been swamped with inquiries for daycare, which is a blessing. There was a dry spell about 5/6 years ago that scared me, due to the economy, so I am most certainly not complaining.

But, the 2 I have interviewed for this opening were something else. One was overly concerned about the gender of one age group (her child is the opposite of the 2 I have enrolled) and basically in doubt that I could possibly take care of her preschool child with 2 toddlers and 2 babies around as well. I'm sorry, what part of "group care" confused you? No thanks. Pass. Next!

Then, a lady calls and basically says that they are too good for in-home care but can't afford their big, shiny center anymore at the end of our phone conversation. I was totally but kept our interview anyway, mostly because I just had to meet this incredibly rude woman. I did, and she was not some riches-to-rags witch I was expecting, but just a plain old moron. She didn't even bring her kid with her. :confused:

So, I'm tempted to just offer the spot to one of them and cancel the next 4 potentials, because I HATE HATE HATE interviewing, and I'm losing faith in humanity overall. ::

plain old moron??? ha ha, I am sorry but that was seriously funny ::::

[cheerfuldom]

It is getting harder. I wonder if child care can really continue as before because of how high the percentage of behavioral disorders in parents.

behavioral disorders???

gah! you all are cracking me up tonight! ::::

I have had a small number of DC parents with fantastic jobs and I wonder how they keep those jobs because they try to show up late here, are rude and inconsiderate, etc. it just makes you wonder....

[cheerfuldom]

I feel like the past few I have interviewed are sooo vastly different from the ones I enrolled even less than a year ago. Parents seem to want curriculum for infants (no joke, and I remember you made mention of this in an old post), and a level of care that cannot possibly be done while attending to other children. It's a strange shift in parenting that I am noticing, and I really hope it's just individuals, and not a trend.

I agree about the curriculum. I tell parents straight out that i offer no curriculum for any age. We do what mom would do at home with the little one.....eat, sleep, play, take walks, go outside, learn to be around other kids. They are learning but no, I offer no curriculum for any age nor kinder prep activities. All of my kids and daycare kids have excelled in preschool and kinder even my special needs kids. You teach kids self control and gentleness toward others and cooperation with authority figures and they are going to soar to the top of the class in school.

I think the big parenting shift is the fact that many families have singleton children. They have no concept of group care. Plus, two income households so they aren't doing the day to day care of their own child. What works to survive in the moment (giving in, bribing, negotiating, distracting, etc) does NOT work with 10 hour days, 5 days a week group care.

[Annalee]

It is getting harder. I wonder if child care can really continue as before because of how high the percentage of behavioral disorders in parents.

It is becoming more challenging to deal with parents these days......

[Annalee]

My most recent one was incredulous that I can take care of more than one let alone 6 at a time. She can't handle her TWO MONTH OLD.

I liked her and was eager to take her son, she was quiet happy with me (or seemed that way), said that she got a good vibe, etc. But either something from my references displeased her or my son's behavior in the last five minutes of the interview ruined it. I never heard back.

Does anyone NOT have their own children present at interviews? I feel like they lose it for me.

First interview is after hours with just me and the clients/child. Then the second interview, the parent and child may come during daycare hours. Then the third interview only happens if I am ready to enroll the child.....my mentor introduced me to the 3-step interview process which does alleviate some of the hoopla parents put providers through. If clients make it to the third interview, the client is abiding by my rules from the start, NOT just enrolling immediately because they need a daycare spot. The three-step isn't necessarily "moron" proof, but it does help!

[SignMeUp]

First interview is after hours with just me and the clients/child. Then the second interview, the parent and child may come during daycare hours. Then the third interview only happens if I am ready to enroll the child.....my mentor introduced me to the 3-step interview process which does alleviate some of the hoopla parents put providers through. If clients make it to the third interview, the client is abiding by my rules from the start, NOT just enrolling immediately because they need a daycare spot. The three-step isn't necessarily "moron" proof, but it does help!

That's just what I do And here I thought I invented it myself ::
It does work well. The first time you are all set to make a good first impression <---that's my good first impression ::
And you can make sure you cover what you want to cover, as well as have time for their questions. Then set them up for how the daytime visit will go - I expect mine to be fairly short and for them to make their exit if it begins to affect my children That is because my day is all about my current children which a good parent will appreciate

I try to hand out something small at each meeting - brochure at the first one - it covers the basics of what I provide.
At the second meeting, I give a small 'reference' brochure if they have expressed an interest in that, or just a couple of business cards. Or sleep environment stuff if it's an infant.

If they are late to meetings or visits, check in with you or don't, follow any instructions you've given or don't -- you start to get a good idea of how they are

[CraftyMom]

My most recent one was incredulous that I can take care of more than one let alone 6 at a time. She can't handle her TWO MONTH OLD.

I liked her and was eager to take her son, she was quiet happy with me (or seemed that way), said that she got a good vibe, etc. But either something from my references displeased her or my son's behavior in the last five minutes of the interview ruined it. I never heard back.

Does anyone NOT have their own children present at interviews? I feel like they lose it for me.

I make sure my husband is around to keep my kids upstairs or outside the entire time. This was not always the case, and I do feel like I may have lost a few potential clients because my kids like to put on a show during my interviews. In reality they probably chose another daycare for different reasons, but in my mind my kids' trying to be the center of my attention was all that stuck out to me.

Now I give my kids a speech at least twice before an interview, ending with "do not show your face for any reason unless there is a fire or someone is seriously hurt!"

I should say my kids are usually well behaved, but you know how it goes!

[childcaremom]

behavioral disorders???

gah! you all are cracking me up tonight! ::::

I have had a small number of DC parents with fantastic jobs and I wonder how they keep those jobs because they try to show up late here, are rude and inconsiderate, etc. it just makes you wonder....

I have often thought this about one dcd I have