Childminders Club: ADVICE please - I need to respond to another enquiry........

[HellyBelly]

This must the best week I've had for enquiries since I started!!!

Just had another email enquiry for a lady who's due next month and thinks she may need someone 2/3 days a week from May/June.

What do I say in my reply????

a) Let her know I've got other people interested but ask her if she wants to visit?
b) Not mention the other enquiries and just book her in?

Also, I have another lady on my waiting list who's due in Feb. I've not contacted her yet to tell her I now have a vacancy - will do if Wednesday looks unsuccessful (or should I contact her anyway to let her know I'm now available and see if she wants to meet?)

Sorry but this has never happened to me before so I'm not sure what to do?!

I personally wouldnt tell the others that there are other interested until you have met and seen what their reaction is otherwise you might miss out all together.

I would let the other one know and ask if she wants to meet and then see how it goes.

Interview them all and then pick one.

Right then, I will reply to this one and try calling the other one on my list to see if she's still looking for someone! Thanks

Remember helly you are a business and need to fill this space, within reason do what you can to fill it.

I would always invite someone for an informal chat if they want to come, even if you're not sure if you have a definite vacancy. I tend to be fairly honest with people - if I have a space but someone else has already expressed a definite interest, I would probably say so. This also covers you if you meet a new family and realise that there is no way on the planet that you would want to be their childminder!!

Even if you can't accommodate a particular family, they might be so impressed with you that they change their hours/days so that you could have the child, or they may recommend you to other people for future work.

If I have an enquiry for a future date but currently don't have a vacancy, I would still take contact details from them as, unfortunately, mindees sometimes unexpectedly leave and you might have a space after all.

Thanks Theprisoner, I must admit I personally don't like the thought of withholding the fact I'm meeting other parents as it's just not 'me' ifkwim.

I'll phone the one from my waiting list and let her know I've got a space but also had a few enquiries. Thanks