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I really think that during the interview process, my anxiety hurts me a ton. I think it may have lost me some families along the way. I always feel like I have to rush rush rush to get them all the info I want them to have. I don't give paperwork at the first interview except for a copy of my handbook, because I charge an enrollment fee and I want them to read over the handbook first. But then I find myself going over most everything in the handbook. And I feel rushed. I am thinking that I am going to quit going over the handbook, just the major points and tell them to go home and read the rest. But of course I fear they won't read it. So I have an interview tomorrow afternoon, and I would love to know how you prepare yourself, and do you go over the whole handbook?
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I remind myself that I am interviewing them as much as they are interviewing me, so I try to have a few 'go to' questions (tell me about your job, what do you do? tell me about the baby, what are his/her favorite meals).
I give them a packet - it has a sample contract, handbook, holiday schedule, sick policy, and daily schedule. I briefly go over the holidays we are closed, remind them that payment is due weekly, sick policy is that if I send child home, they cannot return the next day, and the daily schedule.
I try to ask them lots of questions and keep them talking. They will usually tell you things that are red flags (like junior only eats hot dogs!) and will ask things that are important to them (like you never go outside right!?)
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I sometimes get anxious with interviews, as well. I did a lot when I was just starting them. It really helped to just schedule a bunch in a row when I reopened. It really got me in the groove. I know I probably sounded awful the first couple of interviews but am really confident in my process now.
I start in the playroom. A brief chat of our daily routine and then an indepth talk about my policies. I spend about 30 mins on them. I go through them all briefly but will centre out the ones that are really important: picking up on time, etc Then another chat about concerns, goals, etc.
I used to feel rushed but I now let people know to plan for an hour. Sometimes they run longer, sometimes less, especially if I feel they aren't a good fit. But generally speaking, it takes an hour to get through what I want and to see how things are going. And that's a big chunk of time to get to watch a child and parents in action.
I think a lot of the problem for me was that I didn't really have a interview technique. And I was really worried about making a good choice on families. Trusting myself to pick families that were a good fit. Now that I have a solid interview technique, I am not nearly as worried about them as I was.Comment
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Oh good luck good luck good luck!!
I assume you meant after cleaning the house like a madwoman, right?
First I give them a brief tour(my dc area isn't that big) and we end up either sitting at the kitchen table or on the playroom floor, playing with their child/ren. We talk for a few minutes, just to get a feel for what they're looking for and what kind of dcps they'd be. If there's no connection whatsoever I'll tactfully end the interview and thank them for their time, telling them I have more interviews.
If I get a good feel then I give them a folder filled with all the paperwork that I hand out(I know a lot of people don't because of the expense). I also have a prepared list of questions about their child, just to get an idea of any accommodations I may have to make. Then I open my handbook and briefly explain some of my policies, etc. I suggest they go home and read it over altogether, write down any questions it brings up and they can email or call me to discuss and let me know if they're interested.
If *I'M* interested I'll talk with them. If not, I'll tell them I no longer have an available spot.
I charge a $50 nonrefundable deposit to be deducted from their first week's rates. I try not to feel desperate about needing them, as if I really don't care if I get them or not. It seems to ease my tension about the whole process. And if that doesn't work, I try to put on an act of being confident. I truly get very anxious about meeting people.Comment
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Oh my goodness yes. This place was trashed when I got off the truck with hubby, because the first week or so I was with him we made a lot of overnight stops home and the house got trashed. On top of that I think the destroy the house demons moved in. I was already cleaning when she called, I just had to hurry faster.Comment
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I tell myself "if I have to work that hard to win them over, they aren't a good fit". I mean...I'm awesome
and I know that. If this is the right program for them, they should already be on board after looking at my website and reading over my handbook (which I email before scheduling a tour). The tour should just seal the deal. If it doesn't then I am dodging a bullet. This is what I tell myself
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I really need to get better about asking for an email to send them the handbook.I tell myself "if I have to work that hard to win them over, they aren't a good fit". I mean...I'm awesome and I know that. If this is the right program for them, they should already be on board after looking at my website and reading over my handbook (which I email before scheduling a tour). The tour should just seal the deal. If it doesn't then I am dodging a bullet. This is what I tell myself Comment
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Most people contact me via email or FB so its easy then, but if they contact me via phone I tell them which days are best for me for an interview, then I tell them I will email them my handbook and that months newsletter so they can get a better idea about my program. I tell them, after they have looked over all that, to call or email me to tell me which of the days works best for a tour for them. I let them know I have an interview scheduled for the spot already, so to be sure to get back to me within the week if they would like to be considered
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After the initial contact I email them a copy of my contract and handbook to look over and I set an interview and ask them to read through it and come with questions.
During the actual interview I give them a tour and show them all the things I want them to know about my daycare that they wouldn't otherwise know unless they knew to ask about (special safety devices I have, activities, our routine, a quick explanation about the curriculum I use etc). I also have a bulleted list of the policies in my handbook that I quickly go over without too much detail.
I let the parents as their questions and answer them. Then I just shut up. I find that if you give too much info they get overwhelmed. Don't spew too much word vomit on them ::
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