Hard sell at nursery open day, would it put you off or motivate you?

[howzaboutthat]

I went to an open day at a local nursery recently.

It ran from 10-2.

When I met the manager at about 12:30 there was a big hard sell about how if I signed up that (i.e. before 2PM) I would get the first week free and a half price registration fee.

I know a nursery is a business, not obliged to pick that particular nursery, they have to make their money somehow blah did blah.

But rather than making their nursery/the offer seem more attractive it just really put me off. I would have thought a good nursery would understand that it's a big decision to make and allow people to take their time without pressuring them.

Am I the only person who thinks like this? Would it put you off or make you more keen?

This would put me off. IME good nurseries are full with a waiting list so dont incentivise people to sign up.

Definitely put me off.

As would holding an open day, tbh. I'd want to see a nursery on an ordinary day when the children are there. A good nursery needs no marketing other than what the (satisfied) parents say about it spontaneously.

I would get the feeling they were desperate for custom - not nice.

Thanks, that's interesting.

Hadn't thought about the open day aspect either actually. We mainly went for the free bouncy castle

sounds like there must be something underlyingly wrong with the place. I wouldn't rush into anything like a nursery, check around and like it has been said above listen to what the parents that use it say

Has the nursery just opened a new branch (or was this indeed a new nursery)? Know that DC's old nursery (which was very popular with a waiting list) held an open day when they opened another branch close by. So not necessarily a doom and gloom situation - might be something very positive!

Would put me right off. Good nurseries have waiting lists. The best one near me won't even show you round until you've registered and a place has come up.