So Should I Call?

[daycare]

I have only enrolled 1 family that no showed for the first interview. It did not go well! Learned my lesson.

Now when potential families set up and interview I tell them I will text them the day of to confirm and give directions to my house if necessary.

This has completely gotten rid of no shows! Because now if they have changed their minds it's easy for them to reply to my text letting me know.

Ditto on this. I do exactly the same.

I also send them a reminder email or phone call. That gives them the option to tell me they are not coming.

Day of I send the text saying we re excited to meet with you today at xxx time. Please confirm your reservation with us. Once they confirm I give them my address.

[TheGoodLife]

Ditto on this. I do exactly the same.

I also send them a reminder email or phone call. That gives them the option to tell me they are not coming.

Day of I send the text saying we re excited to meet with you today at xxx time. Please confirm your reservation with us. Once they confirm I give them my address.

Yep, no address until the day of. Helps so that I never have an unannounced/unexpected visit as well! Sorry it didn't work out for you.

[Thriftylady]

So how do you handle it when they ask where you live and want an address?

[LysesKids]

Ditto on this. I do exactly the same.

I also send them a reminder email or phone call. That gives them the option to tell me they are not coming.

Day of I send the text saying we re excited to meet with you today at xxx time. Please confirm your reservation with us. Once they confirm I give them my address.

I've been doing this for years... If I don't get the confirmation at least 2 hrs prior (and yes I tell them it must be confirmed by a certain time), then I know I don't have to do the last minute vacuum, print out paperwork and nobody will be knocking on my door at 7:30pm, saying sorry I am late while I am relaxing with a cold beverage . I only give them my exact address when I get the confirmation call/text ( they know general area when they see the ad on CL)... no confirm then to bad, so sad

[coolconfidentme]

So how do you handle it when they ask where you live and want an address?

I give them the address. I have a big sign out there too. Personally I don't get the part about not giving your address out, it's a business. You want it to grow. As a parent, I would want to check my travel time, do a drive by & look at the neighborhood before I go to an interview. It's part of the decision making process. If I didn't get an address, I would wonder what the provider is hiding. Maybe nothing, but you can potentially put a negative thought in their head before you have a chance to sell your services to them. I understand everyone don't feel this way. That's me though.

ps..., I'm full & get calls weekly for services. I live in a small town with many providers.

[LysesKids]

I give them the address. I have a big sign out there too. Personally I don't get the part about not giving your address out, it's a business. You want it to grow. As a parent, I would want to check my travel time, do a drive by & look at the neighborhood before I go to an interview. It's part of the decision making process. If I didn't get an address, I would wonder what the provider is hiding. Maybe nothing, but you can potentially put a negative thought in their head before you have a chance to sell your services to them. I understand everyone don't feel this way. That's me though.

ps..., I'm full & get calls weekly for services. I live in a small town with many providers.

I don't give out the EXACT address because I am a safe house for foster babies and domestic court cases... I also only take babies under 2 and live here ALONE; I don't want every Tom Dick and Harry knowing where I live for safety reasons. BTW, parents know ahead of time which neighborhood I live in, just not the address. A few years ago I had wackos knocking on my door late at night wanting immediate Drop-in services - Not Happening. BTW, all of my parents agree about my reasons for not giving out the address

As to the growth aspect, I will never take more than 4 babies, so that is not an issue. I am a small home childcare for a reason

[TheGoodLife]

I just explain that I've had many no call, no shows in the past and for that as well as safety purposes, I only give out the address the day of the interview. I've never had anyone not understand.

[daycare]

I give them the address. I have a big sign out there too. Personally I don't get the part about not giving your address out, it's a business. You want it to grow. As a parent, I would want to check my travel time, do a drive by & look at the neighborhood before I go to an interview. It's part of the decision making process. If I didn't get an address, I would wonder what the provider is hiding. Maybe nothing, but you can potentially put a negative thought in their head before you have a chance to sell your services to them. I understand everyone don't feel this way. That's me though.

ps..., I'm full & get calls weekly for services. I live in a small town with many providers.

I guess it differs for each person. I never give my address out and I have a very successful booming business.

If someone really wanted my info they could did for it online but I never advertise my address for safety measures.

[jenboo]

I give out my address when we set a date.
Licensing posts it online so it's not a big deal to me. Licensing posts our whole name, phone number, address, hours and how many kids we can have.
Anyone can look it up.