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When you interview potential families and its your last spot do you keep interviewing and offer it to the person who gives the deposit first or do you give the potential family a couple days to decide? I had a mom schedule an interview for my last infant spot Tuesday. We went through the regular routine of the tour, policies and questions. One of my policies is I do not conduct business after business hours (except tours). She told me she scheduled tours with other facilities and she would get back to me Friday, fine no problem. Wednesday a father of one of my part time infants inquired about a full time spot so I told him I had the space to enroll him full time(2 infants fills 1 infant spot). HE left. Wednesday night the mom I interviewed called me just before 8pm and said she wanted to enroll her child in my daycare. She wanted to start the following week. I told her she would have to put down a non refundable deposit of 1 week of care. That it would apply toward her first week of care however if she changes her mind I would keep the money. She agreed to set up payment once she got home. She had never paid through electronic payment but she was going to figure it out and if she had any questions she would text me. The next morning I woke up and emailed her all the forms with instructions. That morning during drop off I spoke with the mom that was interested in full time care and she said she didn't mind waiting until her child turned two next month to enroll him full time. Thursday went by no email, text or payment from the new mom. This morning I decide to text mom and see if she was still interested in care. To sum up what she said her and her husband decided to keep her child in a center. Dont get me wrong I know she has the right to change her mind. I just feel the same urgency she had calling me at 8pm she could've had telling me she decided to go a different route. The same consideration I had answering her last minute questions I feel she could've had at the very least replying to my email saying she changed her mind. I try to be considerate of families but I'm finding that putting myself first is the way to go.
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Usually it's first come, first served, unless I've got a better feeling about another family and want to hold out for their decision.
But I'm starting a new round of interviews soon, so we'll see if that changes. :
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"I'll let you know what we decide by next Friday."
"Ok, if I still have a slot next Friday, I'll expect tuition and it is all yours. Have a great weekend. Talk to you next week."- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
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Well, I'm kinda confused with what you're asking.
Mom was a jerk by not telling you she decided not to send her kid. But there's nothing much you can do about that without her money already in your hand. Bullet dodged IMO.
Sounds like you might have a replacement already lined up so that's great, and with a family you already know, which is even better.Comment
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I tell families to take a few days to think about it. That it gives both of us time to reflect on our meeting, ask any remaining questions, and decide whether we think if it is a good fit.
If they are interested, I ask that they get back to me within the next few days. I will let them know if I am conducting other interviews but usually just tell them to think it over and let me know if they are interested in the spot.
Then, if I really liked them and think it would be a good fit, I go ahead with the paperwork. If I don't think we would be a good match, I tell them that and wish them well on their search.
I like to have a bunch of interviews so I can be choosy but sometimes I end up with a great fit right away.Comment
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Do you interview everyone first, then see who comes with the paperwork and money first? Or would you enroll after the first interview if they wrote the check?
I always struggle between wanting to see who seems to be the best fit and wanting to fill the spot ASAP. It doesn't help that I loathe the interview process so if the first family enrolls I don't have to interview anyone else. ::
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I know everyone says they interview and see who would be the best fit and honestly I feel like for the most part everyone is on their best behavior during the first interview. Sometimes people do show you their crazy during the first encounter but not always. That's why I have a 2 week trail period in my contract. My last child I enrolled parents were great accept every week I had to remind them it was pay day. However there child OMG. He was playing so well with the toys by himself during the interview. I kept wondering why dad was watching him like a hawk. Right beside him pretty much the whole interview. I just figured he didn't want him to make a mess in my clean house. Truthfully I should've let him go the first day but after a couple of months I had to boot him out of here. I figured out why dad was watching him so closely during the interview. I have a lot of daycares in my area and I'll go through spells where I get alot of calls most of them involve infants. Then I won't get any calls at all. I personally don't want to miss out on missed opportunities waiting on someone to make up their mind.Comment
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This is my business and I am the boss therefore I run the show and I make the decisions about who gets what space and when.
I interview and immediately send out a thank you e-mail and include a blurb about interviewing others (even if I am not) and that I will contact them and let them know if I am going to be offering them the space or not. If I do offer them the space, they have 48 hours to reply that they are accepting it.
Once they accept, I send all enrollment forms and let them know they have 48 hours to return the paperwork with their deposit.
If they fail to follow through on any of the above, I give the space to the next choice. I don't wait around for anyone.
I also have a two week trial period (longer if I feel it's necessary). After the two week trial period, I do a mini-conference to make sure they have no additional comments, questions and concerns and address any I may have. If all is well, they sign a permanent contract.Comment
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