What Would You Say To A Prospective Dcm In This Situation?

[melilley]

I had an interview Thursday and it went well. Mom wants to do a two week trial period and I agree. Well she just sent me a text saying that she will let me know by Wednesday if she wants to bring dcg here, that way she can give her current daycare (she goes to a center and mom isn't happy there) a two week notice.

I still have my ad out and will conduct interviews if any parents respond-I just changed my minimum age from 30 months to 6 months-which here is in high demand. I don't have any lined up yet, but frequently get calls so you never know. What would you say to the prospective dcm? I want to text her back and let her know that it's fine and she can let me know by Wednesday, but I will be conducting interviews and will let her know by Friday if she decides to come here. I don't want her to think that she's the only prospective family just in case someone does contact me for an interview (I don't have any lined up, but you never know), but I also don't want her thinking that I don't want her child to come here because I did like them, but if a different family comes along that I like, I may take them. I'm bad with words sometimes...

[daycarediva]

I always end the interview with "I am still conducting interviews for this space. I will let you know by X date and time."

Maybe, thank you for your time, I am still conducting interviews and will let you know by X.

[snbauser]

I tell all my prospective families that the spot is not theirs until I receive back from them a minimum of the application and non-refundable deposit. Until then I will continue to advertise and interview. Too many times getting burned when I was first starting out of someone saying they want the spot and will get back to me and then never hearing from them again meanwhile I turned away other prospective families.

[melilley]

I always end the interview with "I am still conducting interviews for this space. I will let you know by X date and time."

Maybe, thank you for your time, I am still conducting interviews and will let you know by X.

I so meant to tell her that, but she was here for almost an hour and I forgot.

[Blackcat31]

I so meant to tell her that, but she was here for almost an hour and I forgot.

Maybe just e-mail/text her back and say:

"Wednesday would be fine but keep in mind that I am currently still interviewing and the space will only be considered filled/reserved with payment AND signed enrollment forms.

Thank you again for your interest in my program. I look forward to speaking with you again soon. "

[melilley]

Maybe just e-mail/text her back and say:

"Wednesday would be fine but keep in mind that I am currently still interviewing and the space will only be considered filled/reserved with payment AND signed enrollment forms.

Thank you again for your interest in my program. I look forward to speaking with you again soon. "

Perfect! Thank you!
I don't know why it's sometimes hard for me to come up with the right words.

[Shell]

Maybe just e-mail/text her back and say:

"Wednesday would be fine but keep in mind that I am currently still interviewing and the space will only be considered filled/reserved with payment AND signed enrollment forms.

Thank you again for your interest in my program. I look forward to speaking with you again soon. "

I had a bad experience with a parent that wanted to leave a center for home care. She basically was vague about the reasoning, but it turned out she needed them to extend her hours, and threatening them with a new center was all it took for them to give in to her request. Not saying this is the case, but I would absolutely keep interviewing. I find parents grow accustomed to centers giving in to their every request, and expect that from us, too.

[daycare]

If she's serious charge her a holding fee. In case like this I would charge a full weeks fees. I will hold for one week. When they start I use that as their first week tuition, credit back. If they change their mind it's 100% non-refundable.

If it's more than one week I charge a holding fee that is not refundable. They pay $150 a week to hold the spot until they start. I don't credit anything back unless they enroll after the two week trial. Then I only credit 1/3 back. Works for me every time.

I would tell her I have other clients looking at that spot, I would love to offer it to you as I think we would be a great fit. If you would like to move forward, there is a required holding fee. See attached.

Then just follow up.

[melilley]

If she's serious charge her a holding fee. In case like this I would charge a full weeks fees. I will hold for one week. When they start I use that as their first week tuition, credit back. If they change their mind it's 100% non-refundable.

If it's more than one week I charge a holding fee that is not refundable. They pay $150 a week to hold the spot until they start. I don't credit anything back unless they enroll after the two week trial. Then I only credit 1/3 back. Works for me every time.

I would tell her I have other clients looking at that spot, I would love to offer it to you as I think we would be a great fit. If you would like to move forward, there is a required holding fee. See attached.

Then just follow up.

Thank you daycare! I should do that, but when I interviewed, I told her that she wouldn't have to put a deposit down (I know dumb on my part). I just asked for her to please let me know either way. Then, she sent me a text this morning saying she would let me know Wed. if her daughter would be coming here or not-almost a week later. I don't know if people expect that we wait for them to decide. I don't want her to think she's the only one up for the spot and she's the one to determine if she fills it or not because I could have other people interested in the spot. (I already turned away 3 year old twins and got a call this morning from a mom for her daughter and the daughter is supposed to call me back for an interview). Hope this makes sense.

Anyways, I like your idea and will do this in the future!

[melilley]

I ended up sending her a text stating something similar to what bc said. I guess we will see.

[melilley]

So dcm who said she will decide on Wed if she will bring dcg here, texted me this evening and said she wants to bring her here!

I have to give kudos to the person (sorry, I forget who you are) who posted about telling a prospective dcf that you would be making a decision after interviews (even thought you weren't sure if you would have any or not) and then telling them that you picked them! I thought about you when dcm texted me this morning, it does work. It wasn't a lie, I really could have had more interviews by Wednesday.