Drop-In but Interviewing...

[finsup]

I have a family who needs drop in care a few days next week and a few days the week after. Generally I accept drop in if I have space and as of right now, I do. BUT im also in the process of filling a spot and im worried about the "what if". If I dont have anyone sign on by then, it's no problem. If I have a family who wants to start and use those days, I couldn't take a drop in kid (I'd be over ratio). It's tough to say to the drop in family "yes...but if a full time family wants to start that week then, no." It also stinks to delay a new family until starting at the end of the month if they are looking for care earlier then that.
What would you do?

[Blackcat31]

I have a family who needs drop in care a few days next week and a few days the week after. Generally I accept drop in if I have space and as of right now, I do. BUT im also in the process of filling a spot and im worried about the "what if". If I dont have anyone sign on by then, it's no problem. If I have a family who wants to start and use those days, I couldn't take a drop in kid (I'd be over ratio). It's tough to say to the drop in family "yes...but if a full time family wants to start that week then, no." It also stinks to delay a new family until starting at the end of the month if they are looking for care earlier then that.
What would you do?

I always tell families the ONLY way to guarantee space is by enrolling full time

If they are drop in only, I see no issues with saying space is available ONLY if a regularly enrolled family is not scheduled to use/need the space.

I think most drop in families understand what drop in is.

[JackandJill]

I did drop in care with a former daycare family a couple days last month, but I was upfront that I was still interviewing. I did let them know that if someone wanted to sign up, I wouldn't be able to take them for drop in.

We set it up that there would be a minimum of 48 hours notice if I couldn't take them for care. They were fine with it, and had a back up plan in case I wasn't available.

[finsup]

I did drop in care with a former daycare family a couple days last month, but I was upfront that I was still interviewing. I did let them know that if someone wanted to sign up, I wouldn't be able to take them for drop in.

We set it up that there would be a minimum of 48 hours notice if I couldn't take them for care. They were fine with it, and had a back up plan in case I wasn't available.

That's a good idea, 48 hours is notice I could definitely work with!

[finsup]

I always tell families the ONLY way to guarantee space is by enrolling full time

If they are drop in only, I see no issues with saying space is available ONLY if a regularly enrolled family is not scheduled to use/need the space.

I think most drop in families understand what drop in is.

Generally, I'd agree, but im not sure this family "gets it"...like they were surprised they had to pay :confused: they are looking for permanent care at the moment by haven't decided yet which annoys me a bit. It's like you want a gaurntee of these days, but dont want to sign on to full time care even though you will need that by the end of the month? I have a feeling there's information being left out somewhere.

[JackandJill]

Generally, I'd agree, but im not sure this family "gets it"...like they were surprised they had to pay :confused: they are looking for permanent care at the moment by haven't decided yet which annoys me a bit. It's like you want a gaurntee of these days, but dont want to sign on to full time care even though you will need that by the end of the month? I have a feeling there's information being left out somewhere.

Oh geez!

[Thriftylady]

So wait, they thought they would be getting free daycare? ROFL!!!

[finsup]

So wait, they thought they would be getting free daycare? ROFL!!!

Lol yup. I mentioned rates and they were like oh...i didn't realize...smh. I know their first time parents, but c'mon really?!

[Thriftylady]

Lol yup. I mentioned rates and they were like oh...i didn't realize...smh. I know their first time parents, but c'mon really?!

I find it hard to believe anyone doesn't know that, guess they just crawled out from under a rock . I wonder if they know they are supposed to pay car insurance.

[daycarediva]

I always tell families the ONLY way to guarantee space is by enrolling full time

If they are drop in only, I see no issues with saying space is available ONLY if a regularly enrolled family is not scheduled to use/need the space.

I think most drop in families understand what drop in is.

Yup. My drop in is daily ONLY I don't make long term drop in commitments. They can email about a day, I invoice and then they pay prior to drop off. It's done for EACH day. I have a drop in contract, too. I list my available dates on my website. I only have days if a family is on vacation. The vacationing family gets a rate deduction, and I make a little extra because drop in is more $ daily. Win-win.