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I just don't want a huge long list of people that are just looking for the first opening possible. Do any of you charge a fee to add a client to your Wait List?
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Yes, just to be placed on my waiting list is $25, non refundable until your child goes to kindergarten. I have a limited waiting list (8 people for 6 18m+ spaces, one is a young infant and one is a pregnant mom) That way I KNOW the inquiries are serious, and it applies to the deposit when they get a space.
I'm closing though and just refunding them all when I announce it. -
No.
It's they passed a law a year or so back that centers could not charge a wait list fee. I don't think it actually covers home providers at all but I don't charge one.Comment
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I do! I charge 1/2 my registration fee to be added to the wait list and it is non-refundable.
Since I currently have openings - this applies to parents with children not yet old enough to enroll in my program. In my area parents with infants starting putting themselves on preschool wait list and I don't want to maintain a super long wait list of people who are not committed.Comment
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I don't charge. It is a courtesy to them and proof of job security to me. Loan officers like to see several years worth of them if you are planning on being in the housing market some day.
I take their information and add them to the list. I call them in the order received since most get on while TTC.
It is not uncommon for them to still be TTC when I have an opening, I just keep them up top until they are ready to come off the call list.
If they have given birth and turn down a interview *temporarily* (maternity leave/grandparent care/SAHM), I move them down to the bottom. If they turn down the slot after an interview, I remove them and do not add back later.
The wait list does not get too long because I remove all children from the list after 12 months of age.
- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
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What's the housing market thing? I don't get that part.Comment
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Yes I know. But what does that have to do with having a wait list fee?Comment
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No I would not charge a fee. I just keep their info and tell them I will call if I have an opening. I make a note of families that would be a good fit for me, and call them first, so my wait list is kind of ordered by my own personal feelings on a family, not necessarily first come, first served. If it is not a family I want to work with, I don't give the option of the wait list. Figured I wouldn't waste their time, since I have no interest in working with them.Comment
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I'm not arguing, just genuinely asking because it seemed off topic.
In my area, and even what I've noticed, is that parents just go hopping around, putting themselves on wait lists to get the first opening. They aren't looking for the right fit, just putting their name on any list they can find.
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What's your process for screening people to put on the waitlist? Questionnaire? Phone interview?Comment
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I charge $150, non-refundable. I only get serious folks that way. Why have people on the list who aren't truly interested.Comment
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There is no fee here. In my area, I have a hard enough time getting people in off the Waiting List if they've been waiting for longer than one month or so.
I have an imaginary Waiting List and a real Waiting List. The real Waiting List has people I feel WOULD be a good fit (with stars by their names) and people who MIGHT be a good fit (no star by their name).
I use a pre-interview questionnaire of 10 questions before adding them.Comment
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What kind of questions do you ask?Comment
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