Potential Client Asking For References?

[Baby Beluga]

I keep a binder with thank you cards and letters of recommendation from past clients, co-teachers and my past director for interviewees to browse through. I also have copies of anonymous parent surveys that were sent out while working at preschool. Yet I had a client today ask if I was okay giving out references. How would you have handled this? I always thought the binder combined with my FB page was more than enough.

[flying_babyb]

I would have thought the same!

[bklsmum]

I keep a binder with thank you cards and letters of recommendation from past clients, co-teachers and my past director for interviewees to browse through. I also have copies of anonymous parent surveys that were sent out while working at preschool. Yet I had a client today ask if I was okay giving out references. How would you have handled this? I always thought the binder combined with my FB page was more than enough.

Some people just like to actually speak to someone for a reference. If I wanted to enroll them I would give them references to call.

[Jupadia]

I've had parents ask. I simply tell them I have to check with the parents (either current or past daycare familys) before handing.out email or numbers. Then I ask parent I'd I may hand out number to new family or if they would like to call the new fsmily.

I've only had to do this a couple times and my fsmilys have been happy to do this for me. Also I am legally unlicensed so I don't have a rating or anything t like that so I can't blame new family's for wanting a reference. I also never hand out references unless I know the family will work for me and I think their serious about signing.

[DaveA]

I've only had a couple potential DCPs ask. I have a few current/ former families who will provide references. I just contact them to make sure they're still Ok doing a reference before giving their info out.

[Blackcat31]

I keep a binder with thank you cards and letters of recommendation from past clients, co-teachers and my past director for interviewees to browse through. I also have copies of anonymous parent surveys that were sent out while working at preschool. Yet I had a client today ask if I was okay giving out references. How would you have handled this? I always thought the binder combined with my FB page was more than enough.

Did this potential client already see the binder and/or the FB page?

If so, I would say something along the lines of "References are available in the form of FB reviews and the binder that was available for viewing during the interview/tour"

Then maybe ask if she/he wants to see them again.

I understand but don't understand references....kwim?

They just seem kind of pointless as everyone's experience is different due to the fact that we are dealing with humans on a very intimate level so the experience one family or even one child has/had is vastly different than someone else's.

[Baby Beluga]

Did this potential client already see the binder and/or the FB page?

If so, I would say something along the lines of "References are available in the form of FB reviews and the binder that was available for viewing during the interview/tour"

Then maybe ask if she/he wants to see them again.

I understand but don't understand references....kwim?

They just seem kind of pointless as everyone's experience is different due to the fact that we are dealing with humans on a very intimate level so the experience one family or even one child has/had is vastly different than someone else's.

Yes. Mom and Dad both looked through my FB page (which was started in 2014 and kept current) and wanted to enroll prior to actually interviewing. Also, I am already acquaintances with this family as our daughters were in dance class together for over a year. Dad was not present at the interview (stuck in traffic) but mom was. I showed her the binder and told her I keep it available for families to look through when they would like. I also keep my CPR and first aid certifications and fingerprint clearance card on display. Mom didn't glance at the binder at all. Then sent me a text later saying dad wanted to know if I had references I would give out.

I have never been asked that before and I feel a little strange asking current clients to talk to potential clients. They are not my employer. But I do understand wanting to know something about a potential provider before enrolling which is why I created the binder. I just told mom I have the binder if Dad would like to look through it. She said she forgot about that and thanked me.

[Blackcat31]

Yes. Mom and Dad both looked through my FB page (which was started in 2014 and kept current) and wanted to enroll prior to actually interviewing. Also, I am already acquaintances with this family as our daughters were in dance class together for over a year. Dad was not present at the interview (stuck in traffic) but mom was. I showed her the binder and told her I keep it available for families to look through when they would like. I also keep my CPR and first aid certifications and fingerprint clearance card on display. Mom didn't glance at the binder at all. Then sent me a text later saying dad wanted to know if I had references I would give out.

I have never been asked that before and I feel a little strange asking current clients to talk to potential clients. They are not my employer. But I do understand wanting to know something about a potential provider before enrolling which is why I created the binder. I just told mom I have the binder if Dad would like to look through it. She said she forgot about that and thanked me.

See but I think this is a touchy area in this profession....

If you give out past parents contact info to me that feels like a breach of confidentiality. Even if the family gives permission, it feels like its telling them to talk about things that were private (the relationship between you and each child/family is private and unique).

On the other hand if you give out contact info of current clients, aside from confidentiality issues, I wouldn't think a current family would say anything negative since they currently attend.

I don't know...I just dont see how contacting other parents (past or present) as being authentic references.

Thank you letters and testimonials DO seem to answer the reference request so I think that is all I'd be willing to share.

As for the family wanting to know about YOU and your background, that is what licensing is for...you passed a back ground check, have a current license etc so therefore are operating according to the law. Can show proof of compliance for CPR and first aid etc.

That's all a parent can truly ask for in my opinion.

Anything else is just fluff that is no guarantee of how your program will or won't be a good fit. Again, I don't know but the whole thing (already giving them the opportunity to see your references and passing) but then asking for them makes me feel like they weren't listening and that's disrespectful in the very least and maybe kind of a red flag... I don't know.... I'm just thinking out loud at this point.

[Annalee]

I have a large notebook that I keep all my training certificates and cards/letters I have received the past 25 years. I leave it by the sign-in/out log. Parents can then view if they wish. I consider this along with my educational plaques on the wall above the notebook to be enough references for incoming clients. I figure if that don't give them enough info then it probably would not be a good fit.

[Cat Herder]

I have a feeling they read an outdated parents guide on selecting a provider.

Provided personal references are quickly becoming a thing of the past even for employers. Most go to social media and background check sites.

I would have referred her to my facebook page and State website, same as you. That way clients are free to answer or ignore messages and not have dinner interrupted by strangers calling.

[Cat Herder]

Wanted to add: I have had prospective clients message current ones for info only to have the current client contact me to request I not accept them on for whatever reasons.

It works both ways.

[Baby Beluga]

Wanted to add: I have had prospective clients message current ones for info only to have the current client contact me to request I not accept them on for whatever reasons.

It works both ways.

Oh....I didn't even think of that! That could be a good or bad thing. Interesting.

FWIW, I am license exempt in my state so I can't refer to licensing, ratings, etc. Not sure if that changes anything or not.

[Cat Herder]

Oh....I didn't even think of that! That could be a good or bad thing. Interesting.

FWIW, I am license exempt in my state so I can't refer to licensing, ratings, etc. Not sure if that changes anything or not.

So far, the reasons for the no go requests were valid. I cannot imagine that will always be the case, though. I don't have a policy on it because I don't want to write or enforce it. :: I will just blow up that bridge when I encounter it.

I don't think being license exempt changes anything.

[kendallina]

I would just all a couple of long-standing, good clients for permission and give their numbers out. Obviously, your choice in how you handle it but I wouldn't overthink it. Just my opinion.

[Mike]

I'm currently still doing home renovations, painting mostly, and have a potential job where the guy wants 3 references. I can understand a person wanting references, to ask another person about your work quality or ethics, but sheesh. If you think about it, what good are references? I'm going to give him the name and number of 3 people who were happy with my work. If I had problems with a previous client, I wouldn't be giving that one as a reference.

See my point? References don't mean anything because good ones are the only ones anyone would give.

In all my years of reno work, I've only been asked for references maybe twice in the past.