Potential client

[Sunshine44]

I have had someone come to me about three times over the last year and a half asking about childcare, but usually I am full and have to decline them. This parent doesn't say why they are needing childcare, just that they are again in need and wondering if I have any openings.

I now have an opening, not sure if I really want to take on another child though. I really like the group I have at the moment. We jive well together and everything just works. If you've had this type of group before, you'll know how great it is and I am not sure I want to jinx it by throwing another child into the mix.

My concern is that they keep needing childcare. They have had two daycare providers in the past and are in need again. I'm wondering why they have been in need so much. I guess three times isn't that much, but in a year and a half period, it seems a bit much to me. I'm wondering if they may be really picky (not always a bad thing) or if the child is causing issues.

So my question...would it be out of line to ask them why they are looking for childcare? Or how would I even go about it? My first reaction is that it really is not my business and I would feel rude asking, but the provider part of me feels I have a right to know what I am getting into. I saw another providers inquiry form the other day and they ask why you are in need of new childcare...I wish I had a form like this. Maybe I will make one up for future use. Anyway, I have a meeting with them tomorrow and just wanted some advice.

[Zoe]

Could you get in touch with the other providers and ask? I'm just wondering if you actually ask DCM, will she be truthful with you about why they've gone through 2 providers in a year and a half?

I don't trust people, can you tell?

[wdmmom]

I ask all prospective clients these questions:

Why are you looking to change childcare providers?

Has your child been in an in-home daycare setting previously?

Reason for leaving previous provider(s)?

Has your child or your family been asked to leave a daycare?

If so, why?

How soon are you looking to start?

What hours do you work?

If you have the day off, do you intend to keep your child home with you?

(I've even gone as far as asking if their current or most recent provider would be okay to contact as a reference!)


By asking these questions, you will know a lot about a person. Of course, they may not always tell you the truth, but when you will usually get some version of the truth.

Keep in mind that 99% of the time parents leave providers because they found a better deal (money), all of a sudden the parent's don't want to pay for the provider's vacation or holidays (money), some family member lost their job and will watch Little Billy (money), or they just really aren't happy with the level of care their child is getting but 9 out of 10 times, it's money.

Stick to your guns! If parent's left because they want a better, cheaper deal, maybe your rates are lower but if your contract states you get paid holidays, vacations, etc. make sure they are aware from the get go and don't make any exceptions.

In my honest opinion, if a prospective client came to me 3 times in 18 months, I'd be concerned. That means if you take this family, only expect to get a maximum of 6 months out of them! There's gotta be one reason or another why they left other providers and I wouldn't hesitate to ask!

[cheerfuldom]

It is not rude at all to ask. I have before and like you said, you really need to make sure you aren't getting into something bad here. Don't forget to give yourself a trial period.

[nannyde]

You can ask but be prepared for answers like "he was with family... grandma... auntie... and they decided to get a real job.

It's only after a LOT of talking to them that you can actually count the providers they have had. They will slip up and complain about THIS provider or THAT provider.

Ask them what they LIKED about their previous providers. Then you say "well that sounds great... why did you leave them?"

It could be they are going from care to care because of getting into debt with the provider, getting kicked out, bad behavior of kid or parent.

They also may be picking the cheapest of the cheap providers who have a super high turnover... It's not uncommon for the new ones to just make it a few months before they give up. They are usually really cheap so it's to the parents advantage to just find another one of those.

[Unregistered]

Is it possible that they have been looking all these times but havent switched from the original provider? I have heard of families interested in switiching but don't do it until they can find the right one. Maybe their current provider is OK but they are looking for something better.

[dEHmom]

there could be many reasons why and to speculate isn't going to answer that.

You have every right to ask questions... I like how wdmmom had the list of questions. Then to end it off, ask for previous provider as a reference. This way here, even if you don't contact the previous provider, then they know there is a chance you could verify what they have said. IF the child or parent was a problem, they KNOW that the previous provider could spill the beans if they lied to you. SO it's in their best interest to tell you the truth.

I've had boys who were kicked out of daycares come here, and they were amazing kids for me. They just needed the smaller ratio daycare instead of the big center.

If they refuse to provide the reference, move on. There's a reason for it.

Do a trial period if you sign them, and make sure ALL payments are in advance WITH a non refundable deposit. If it doesn't work, or the group setting ends up in chaos, then advise them it's not a good fit, however you word it.

[MissAnn]

I have had someone come to me about three times over the last year and a half asking about childcare, but usually I am full and have to decline them. This parent doesn't say why they are needing childcare, just that they are again in need and wondering if I have any openings.

I now have an opening, not sure if I really want to take on another child though. I really like the group I have at the moment. We jive well together and everything just works. If you've had this type of group before, you'll know how great it is and I am not sure I want to jinx it by throwing another child into the mix.

My concern is that they keep needing childcare. They have had two daycare providers in the past and are in need again. I'm wondering why they have been in need so much. I guess three times isn't that much, but in a year and a half period, it seems a bit much to me. I'm wondering if they may be really picky (not always a bad thing) or if the child is causing issues.

So my question...would it be out of line to ask them why they are looking for childcare? Or how would I even go about it? My first reaction is that it really is not my business and I would feel rude asking, but the provider part of me feels I have a right to know what I am getting into. I saw another providers inquiry form the other day and they ask why you are in need of new childcare...I wish I had a form like this. Maybe I will make one up for future use. Anyway, I have a meeting with them tomorrow and just wanted some advice.

In my enrolling paperwork I ask for previous childcrare provider's phone #'s. But......you are in a different situation....she's feeling you out...not committing. If you call her previous caregiver.....then you might be "outing" the fact that she's looking at other places.

[dEHmom]

In my enrolling paperwork I ask for previous childcrare provider's phone #'s. But......you are in a different situation....she's feeling you out...not committing. If you call her previous caregiver.....then you might be "outing" the fact that she's looking at other places.

that's what i was thinking, they may not want to provide because they don't want the previous caregiver to know they are searching. but there is a reason they are searching, either previous caregiver is not as good, or whatever the reason is, if i had a client who was looking elsewhere, for any reason, either because they are a problem for me, or i'm not providing care they are happy with, it's not right either way to stay. both ways, it's a ticking time bomb the longer you drag it out.

[Sunshine44]

This person heard of me through someone they know (someone I know and trust). I do not put out ads or anything. All the kids I get are through word of mouth and I really like it that way because most of the time I know something about them before coming because they are friends with someone I know. It's worked out thus far. This person doesn't seem the type to not pay, but that could be it...never know. I'm leaning towards they fact that they may be super picky and maybe they don't like the rules the other provider gives them. If that's the case, I may have issues because I do have rules and we follow them....again though, not sure if that's the case. I'm going to ask! I could just ask the mutual friend, but I don't like bringing in third parties, they could not know the full story and such. Anyway. Thanks for the advice! I just wasn't sure if I should ask. And they have told me they had at least two providers, I think more, but who knows.