Tweet
I'm newly licensed and I've had 3 interviews that have gone nowhere. The first didn't want to pay, the 2nd ended getting a private nanny, and just had a 3rd that I suspect will also go nowhere. She was concerned because I am new to child care (even though I have a 15mo old and a 9 year old of my own). Each mom has told me horror stories of visits from other homes or centers they'd been on, so....I don't know. This is sort of a vent. Is it normal to have a lot of interviews that go nowhere? The last lady wanted my curriculum for her 5 month old. At 5 months- really??
-
-
Here's what I have to say about interviews.....at least yours SHOWED UP! That's the biggest issue I think. Many are no shows! It's frustrating as all get out!
I've been licensed since Feb, and have only had 3 calls, no interviews. It's slow I guess!
You'll find someone! It just might take some time. -
When I started I was able to get my first client because I charged about 10 - 15 dollars less than the average provider in my area. Then I had a string of many interviews, most all went nowhere.
After I had the one child the interviews went a little better because they knew I had kid(s) enrolled. About 75% of my interviews went nowhere. Dont be discouraged be vigilant.Comment
-
I'd say generally only 1 in 5 calls sets up an interview and only in about 1 in 5 interviews the people actually show up. And of those that actually interview I think it's about 1 in 10 that I get signed up. When I did hourly drop-in care I had a lot more kids around but it was chaotic and I couldn't take the stress so I went to full day care rather than hourly and cleared out a lot of the crazy clients. I get frustrated with the amount of calls and no shows I get but that's the way it's been for me so I'll just keep with it.Celebrate! :
:Comment
-
I had the exact same problem when I was newly licensed. People weren't willing to take a chance on me. It's a small town and I was fairly new to it so didn't have the benefit of word of mouth working for me. Just keep on trucking. I was licensed end of April 2009 and didn't fill up til Feb 2010 :S
What helped me the most I find was taking on a little boy who came iwth a support worker. I developed a VERY strong relationship with our supported child development program, and since this little guy had so many appointments with so many specialists I got to know a lot of them, and now they all pass my name along all over the place. That really helps me stay full.
Keep positive. Once you develop a reputation in your community you'll be fine
Comment
-
I'll never forget the first time I got the question "what curriculum do you have for my newborn?"
It actually shocked me and that's not so easy to do.
Now I answer it with "I use whatever curriculum you are using at home. Just supply it with daily progress notes from home on how he/she is doing"
Comment
-
Wow, these stats are concerning. I have NEVER had an interview that did not result in an enrollment. Especially when parents have looked at other home daycares first. The mojority of my current and former clients have signed on during the interview - I give a 24 hour period to decide if they don't make the decision on the spot and they always call before that 24 hours is up!
As for no-shows, I tell everyone who contacts me that they better make their appointment or their potential spot with the daycare will scooped up by the next person scheduled for an interview. Seems to work for me.Comment
-
I've been licensed since Mid-Jan 2011. I began really looking for clients since Feb. My second interview landed a client that I had to wait another 2 months to start due to state aid paperwork. I wasn't "Holding" her spot per-say because nobody else enrolled in that time. I did tell her if I had an open spot once all her paperwork was done, she was free to have it. Then, I did have another 2-3 interviews (plus 2 no-shows) before I got my most recent enrollment, which I then had to wait 3 weeks for him to begin as their provider was retiring and were required to give 3 weeks notice. Anyways, my full timer started yesterday and my part time twins start tomorrow. SO basically, all in all, it took 3 full months to get kids in.Comment
-
1 out of 5 sounds right
1 out of 5 sounds right to me... I'll get 5 calls and maybe 3 will sound promising... 2 will actually tour and then 1 of those two will be perfect. I get A LOT Of calls lately from people who are still pregnant and looking for something very future...
We got this new fancy preschool/daycare center a few miles away now where all the toddlers seem to be going
It ****s because they offer rates like a daycare and not as high as the other centers around here. There taking all the good toddlers
Comment
-
Thanks everyone who posted. That really helped. Right after I posted this the woman called back to say she was going with another provider but asked if we could get together sometime. Reject my childcare skills but let's be friends?? Whatever! People are so strange. I'll just keep going. I know my care is loving, safe and genuine, hopefully I'll find the right person.
Comment
-
What a wonderful answer!! I'd love to see the looks on parents' faces to that reply. :I'll never forget the first time I got the question "what curriculum do you have for my newborn?"
It actually shocked me and that's not so easy to do.
Now I answer it with "I use whatever curriculum you are using at home. Just supply it with daily progress notes from home on how he/she is doing"
:
Give a little love to a child, and you get a great deal back.Comment
-
Lol "don't take it personal but your DC ****s, but we can still hang out" lmao!! and in no way am I saying that your DC ****s, I'm just saying that it's just weird and rediculous for her to say something like that. I know that's how I would take it anyway.
But I know what you mean about her saying that she felt wierd that you have no DC kids enrolled. I had a hard time when I first started so I "borrowed" my SIL's kids and offered super cheap DC to her just so when interviews came over I'd have some "enrolled". Wouldn't you know it worked. Very well actually. Once I had a few enrolled I offered my SIL a choice to get an official spot or take them somewhere else.Comment
-
In the beginning it was probably 1 to 5 or worse. As I got more experienced I could weed through even before the interview. Plus most new clients come from word of mouth via past or current clients so they are more likely to sign I think with a recommendation from someone they know. Just keep going and when you a few good clients under your belt it will get easier.Comment
-
I'm excited about knowing our city has a demand for childcare. Everyday at our group daycare we get a call for all ages, not just newborns. This gives me hope for decent enrollment upon opening my own daycare.
Comment
-
You guys have a really low unemployment too. You should do well.
I want to go to North Dakota so bad. It's SO expensive to stay there in cabins/lakes/outdoorsy vacations.Comment
Comment