Tweet
My last few interviews have not been so great (my kids acted up during one interview & the one dad seemed to be giving my house an "evil" eye like he didn't approve of my home). So here are my questions regarding my home. My home is old (built in the 1940s) & it does have some minor issues that affect the way it appears. For example we really need new carpeting (lots of stains!) in our living room but we don't have the $$$ to replace it & figure we need to wait until our youngest is completely potty-trained. We don't have the newest or nicest furniture either. How important are these things? Are parents really walking into our home thinking "I can't send little Susie here because they need some home improvements??". . .There is nothing that is a safety hazard it's just I wish I could make my home look a little better on the cheap. I do need to re-paint my living room & I think a fresh coat of paint would go a long way (it's been about 3/4 years since it was painted). So any tips to ways I could spruce up my home or make it more inviting for my interview? Obviously I will clean like a maniac & maybe have some cinnamon simmering on the stove but what else is appealing? The parent who is coming tomorrow would be a good fit. Their son is in my son's class in school & they have a preschool age child who is close to my toddler son's age & the other little boy I watch. Hours are normal (7:15-4:30) & not 2nd shift (that seems to be the only calls I get lately). Thanks for your advice!
-
-
Do you have any pictures to post? I've noticed people are able to give better pointers with pictures.
-
No, I don't unfortunately. Our digital camera is on the fritz. Our home is small (1300 sf) & we have 3 kids so it's cramped & sometimes I feel like I am overwhelmed by clutter (although to a certain extent it is hiddden!).Comment
-
Our house is pretty "bare", which I hope it a plus because that means less for the kids to get into. I know that as a parent I'd be looking to make sure there is not much for little kids to get into that isn't toys.Comment
-
We have some carpet stains too, what I do is stategically (sp?) place larger toys onto the worst of them and hope they don't notice the rest. Also do you have any smaller area rugs that can be placed on top of the wall to wall carpeting? We did that at our old place and it definetely changed the feel of the room/house. I remember reading an article about cleaning up quickly for unexpected guests and it said that clutter makes a house look dirty (even if it's clean) and to open all the curtains/blinds and turn on the lights so it feels bright and like you aren't trying to hide anything. Could you afford to steam clean the carpet? That might get a lot of the stains out. Good luck, just smile a lot and show them the great things that you do have!Comment
-
I agree with making sure there's no clutter, and opening the windows/turning on the lights. I'd also make sure that it's quiet, and that the house smells clean - I do that by burning a "clean linen" scented candle for about two hours before an interview (blow it out before they arrive).Comment
-
My advice would be to not do anything different then you normally do it. If you try to clean up extra, what are they going to think once they start bringing their children to you and your house doesn't look like it did when you interviewed? You want to present yourself how you are, not how you want them to think you are.
As for the carpet stains, I would do as other have suggested and use area rugs for the worst area's. Place toys over them, arrange furniture possible so that things are hidden. If you have a lot of clutter, I would recommend wicker baskets for storing things in. As for the older/worn furniture, get some cheap throw blankets and toss them nicely over the furniture. If you have a small home, you may need to seriously consider de-cluttering to make your home appear larger and more inviting.
I am like KEG123, we don't have alot of personal things out in the daycare area. Mainly pictures on the wall, but there isn't a lot of stuff in our living room that says who we are. Personal stuff is at a very minimum. The only things that are out that the kids do get into is a shelf with movies and games on it, thinking i will have to soon clear this out of the daycare area as i have two crawling babies.
If you feel cramped and overwhelmed by clutter, your prospective families probably do as well. Take a good hard look at your space and see what can be eliminated and spruced up.Comment
-
my house is pretty small as well, 1440 sq ft, my hubby and i gave up the master bdrm to make a playroom, we took the smallest room in the house, and our boys room together, our living room is a bit cramped because we have a big sectional couch....you just have to really stay on top of small houses, if you NEED it, toss it, of you haven't used it in a while, into the attic/closet it goes.
My playroom carpet has some stains, can you expect anything else from a group of toddlers?? If you can afford it, get a rug doctor, they get A LOT of stuff out of carpets...i burn pumpkin spice candles when i interview, they smell so good! People really respond to smell.
Just make sure the clutter is at a minimum, most parents don't expect white glove approved cleanliness, especially if their interview is during or right after daycare hours!Comment
-
I just spent the last 10 minutes looking for this carpet stain foam that I've used, and can't find it. But this stuff is awesome!!! I got it at Walmart, for less than $10 and it really works!! Even on old, set in stains. We had pets and messy kids, and carpet everywhere. We've since taken out the carpet in all rooms except 2 bedrooms, and they were pretty stained up. This foam stuff took out even the worst stains! I think it was made by bissell. It came in a light blue "cannister" type can. It was a foam, not a spray. I'll keep looking for it, but it was so easy to use (saturate the stain, leave it for a set amount of time, and then put a white towel on it, step on the towel to soak up the stain, and then let it dry - no scrubbing or rubbing or anything), really cheap and it worked!Comment
-
Hm, I think I'm gonna bake cookies for my first interview tomorrow. Nom! :laugh:Comment
-
declutter, area rugs are awesome for stains, you can put nice clean blankets over your furniture, burn a good smelling candle before hand. see if someone can watch your kids for a sort time during the interview or have the interview during nap time. good luck!Comment
-
Can you bake cookies or make something really fragant earlier in the day? When I have interviews, I try to always have a casserole in the oven or even better when my husband is making dinner. I always feel that it makes the house more like a home when it smells like food
But when I had my son in a home daycare (and his old daycare was about 700sq ft), I just watched how the lady interacted with my son. It was a small place and filled with lots of toys, but honestly I didn't care because I knew how much they loved my son.
I agree with all the other posters - turn on all of your lights, open all of your windows, have someone watch your kids and be proud of your house. Who cares if your carpet is stained or if your house is small. Be proud of it, it's yours and you will be offering the kids excellent care. Best of luck!Comment
-
Whenever I have an interview I clean and declutter as if a white glove inspection is being performed. I stay up late the night before, get up early the day of. Ditch the clutter!!! Pretend like you are prepping the house for sale.
First impression is everything.... This really works!
Every interview I have ever done the family has wanted me for their kid so I must be doing something right.:
: Ya know?
Comment
-
I just reread how the interview has a child your child's age, so i take it back about NOT having your child there. Definitely have your son there and if you can have a small project for them to do (I am thinking just print out some coloring pages).Comment
-
I like the suggestion of baking something. Food always make people feel at home. I would stay away from candles and the reason I say this is because some people really have a sensitivity to perfumes and smells. I know my mother-in-law does and I can't burn candles in my home when she comes over.Comment
Comment