What are Parents Looking For?

[Movingforward]

Since there are so many provider veterans here, I'd like to take advantage and ask: What are the top 5 qualities parents are looking for or most concerned with in a family childcare for toddlers? TIA

[Michael]

Location
Trust
Experience
Time schedule
Rates

I that order.

[daycare]

I would say

a solid reputation in the community, trust

clean
open communiation
quality
controlled environment where kids are not going crazy out of control.
cost
hours

healthy foods

I am also in CA bay area. this is what I find parents want

[Snowmom]

I'm in the Northern Midwest.

I have more and more parents asking what background I have before childcare and if I have an Early Childhood degree.
5 years ago, I never had that concern/requirement from parents.

Otherwise, just meshing well with provider. A similar outlook on discipline, potty training (if toddler age) and cleanliness.

[AmyKidsCo]

Safety
Education
Price
Location

Not necessarily in that order...

[Unregistered]

Cost
Location
Cleanliness
Curriculum (academic, play based, etc)
The feeling that you are organized and know what you are doing

[Blackcat31]

I'm in the Northern Midwest.

I have more and more parents asking what background I have before childcare and if I have an Early Childhood degree.
5 years ago, I never had that concern/requirement from parents.

Otherwise, just meshing well with provider. A similar outlook on discipline, potty training (if toddler age) and cleanliness.

I am a couple hours north of you and it's the same here.

Education and experience are usually the first questions and then the rest is all about how well their child rearing philosophies mesh with mine and how well they (the family) meshes with me personally.

Cost, location and hours are pretty low on the priority scale. Although they are important too....

...but if a family likes your program (and you) enough they can (and do) find a way to make those things work.

[Sugaree]

In theory, the qualities I looked for are:

1. Safety
2. Education
3. Location
4. Hours
5. Cost


In reality, it ended up being more like:

1. Hours
2. Location
3. Education
4. Safety
5. Cost

There is only one daycare center that had hours conducive with working a 6 am to 3:30 pm shift. Luckily, it does have all the other qualities I'm looking for.

[DaveA]

Most parents look for in no particular order:

convenient location
hours (especially for early or late shifts)
confidence in provider's ability
a place their child enjoys
cost

A (thankfully) few parents are looking for a provider who will cater to their every whim for almost free. Just kidding (sort of)

[Snowmom]

I am a couple hours north of you and it's the same here.

Education and experience are usually the first questions and then the rest is all about how well their child rearing philosophies mesh with mine and how well they (the family) meshes with me personally.

Cost, location and hours are pretty low on the priority scale. Although they are important too....

...but if a family likes your program (and you) enough they can (and do) find a way to make those things work.

So true!
Half of my families don't live in the same town as me. One drives 30-40 minutes to get here, with another 10 minutes in the opposite direction for work.
Having that connection and comfort level is important.

[Meeko]

I feel jaded today.

Seems like most want a place to dump their kids for as much time as possible..... for as little money as possible.

[Dilley Beans]

I get messages for "how much? " a lot. Ratio seems to be important to lots also. But price is the qualifier so I have to assume it is #1.

[midaycare]

Parents want (around here, anyway):

*Curriculum - they want their kids "learning something". Mostly for bragging rights, I think. "My child is at a home daycare that uses a curriculum ..." But without it, I would t be full.

Safe Environment- they want to feel safe leaving their mini me.

Good Food - No hot dogs and spaghetti o's. They want fresh fruits and veggies. It's high priority.

Do we "mesh" - This goes both ways, but people want to know they will have a good working relationship with me.

Flexibility - Will I be angry if they are 5 minutes late? What if they have a meeting? People come to me in interviews jaded because previous centers and home providers have been so rigid in their rules, they get stressed out trying to follow them. I'm pretty easy going - but don't let people take Advantage.

I've never had cost be a factor.

[Movingforward]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Seems like the list is pretty unanimous. Helps a great deal when enrolling tots!

[Thriftylady]

I feel jaded today.

Seems like most want a place to dump their kids for as much time as possible..... for as little money as possible.

This is what I have mostly been getting the last year. Oh and they don't want policies. Two didn't sign with me because I had a contract. I so wish I could start getting to the families that want a quality program.