Childiminding Interviews

[TrulyScrumptious]

Long one sorry!

When you guys have prospective parents round for the first time, do you include the children? Yours/theres?

Although I'm not actually registered yet (due any day). I've been lucky enough to have quite a bit of interest already due to word of mouth and had a grand total of 3 "interviews" which have all gone really well.

The only problem I have had is my DD. She's 2.9 and an only child. She loves other kids and adults for that matter. But she is usually the centre of attention wherever we/she goes (grandparents etc) and finds it quite difficult for me to focus on someone else for any period of time.

The first interview I did went really well. DD was set up in the living room with arts & crafts stuff. Hi-5 on the TV as an extra diversion. The mum came round on her own (2 x DD's at school) and we managed to get at least 1/2 an hour to talk stuff through in the dining room.

Next interview was awful. Set same diversions up but DD wanted to sit on my lap the whole time, sing us songs, write on my portfolio... very cute but a bit distracting!

What do you lot do?

My mum would willingly look after DD but I thought it would be nice for prospective parents to meet her.....

Anyway, all advice gratefully received!

My own children are way too old now to be involved in any visits, but I have the same problem with having mindees present. I always tell parents that they should always visit prospective childminders when they have mindees present, so that they can see what minder is like. Most of the children I mind or have minded are all adorable ... until they think they are being ignored!!

Therefore, I try to ensure that visits are made when I have the "easiest" mix of children present. I am also honest with the parents, and tell them that this is what I have done!

I would send your dd to your mum for a first visit, then invite parents back another time when she's there (and for them to bring their own child/children if they haven't already). Or perhaps your mum could return dd after you've had am uninterrupted half-hour chat (or could she look after her in your house, and keep her distracted?)

I tend to do the first interview with mindees with me so that prospective parents can see how I work, if this is successful and they like what they see, I invite them back to a second meeting with my own children present and then they can see us warts an all as it were!

i try to avoid prospective parents coming round while I have mindies here, purely because i cannot give the parent or the children the attention they deserve, How can i be watching the children and trying to be efficient and attentive to the parent. I explain to them why i prefer to interview without the children, and if the parent brings her own child/ren then i set up some toys ready just in case and that often occupies them. I do not have children of my own so don't have the same issue as you, but i woudl be tempted to get my mom round to entertain her, or even take her out for a while.

I usually get prospective parents to come in the evening when mindees are not here so that they can look through my portfolio, ask any questions etc in peace and quiet. I like to give them my full attention when we are discussing fees etc so that misunderstandings do not occur. If they are still interested I then ask them to pop in sometime when I am minding so that they can see how we all get on/what we do etc.

Thanks everyone, I think I will get mum round to play with DD while I'm talking to the parents. That way they meet DD and get get my (almost) full attention.