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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Childminders Club: When you interview a parent.........

11 replies

HappyMumof2 · 22/02/2006 13:54

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Katymac · 22/02/2006 13:56

I think I say - when you have made your decision give me a call and we can do contracts......but most do it there and then

lunavix · 22/02/2006 13:58

I tend to just discuss activities, the parents needs, settling them in etc... then leave it as to 'if you want to take this further, here's a sheet with my contact details'

however every parents who's signed on with me has done so at first meeting... so I've tended to go.. 'did you want to go away and think about it' and they go 'uh no.... where's the contracts!'

If you want to leave it for your own sake, tell them you'll give them a copy of you details (or soemthing!) to take with them to look at, and to give you a call when they're decided... if the balls in your court don't be bullied into taking the first kid.

lunavix · 22/02/2006 14:00

oh i did have one who wanted to sign but i had to speak to ther parents to move their kid around.. luckily she was ok with it (the one who wanted to sign)

Original poster

HappyMumof2 · 22/02/2006 14:03

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lunavix · 22/02/2006 14:06

Maybe be honest and say you're interviewing a number of parents for the vacancy - they might like that you're sought after! Make it sound like they're top of the bunch though

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HappyMumof2 · 22/02/2006 14:10

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HellyBelly · 22/02/2006 14:36

I've never done contracts on first meeting but that's more to do with time - we've normally chatted for an hour or 2 and I just ask when they would like to do contracts (if they say they want me) I had a lady yesterday who wants me to start on Friday so she's going to arrive and then do contracts etc. when she gets here.

What I usually do is tell them to go away and think about it and I will contact them if someone else enquires about that space if I haven't heard before. Does that make sense (having said that, I'm still a newbie compared to others on here)

ThePrisoner · 22/02/2006 19:04

I don't think anyone should do contracts on first meeting. I would always encourage parents to visit at least a couple of times anyway - at a time when it's quiet and we can have a sensible discussion (probably evening) and during my working day so that they can see me "in action" with other children.

Some parents may ask you immediately to have their child, so it can be really awkward if you don't want to, so saying that you have another couple of people visiting is a good idea.

I give parents information to take home anyway (I have NCMA literature, info on my networking group, and my personal info), and ask them to let me know how they want to proceed once they've had a think. You often get a feel for how things have gone anyway.

HellyBelly · 22/02/2006 19:33

I agree with everything TP has said and when we do contracts, I try to make it a quieter time so that they see me in action first, can come back for more questions when not so full (if they have any) and get contracts done when it's quieter as otherwise it can take AGES (for me anyway )

Tan1959 · 22/02/2006 21:55

Agree too with TP & HB : I don't do contracts on first visit - prefer parents to go away and think about it - this also gives me time to make sure it is right decision for me too.

lunavix · 23/02/2006 10:08

Ooh need to defend myself here! I've only done contracts on parents insistance - the first had seen 4 CMs and a nursery, and was really sure of me and so happy they wanted their lo to start the next morning.
The next was desperate, had seen 2 she didn't like but needed care for monday (it was thursday before) as it was I had to contact other people so she didn't sign till next day but she wanted to do it same day.

The next one I was the only person in the area doing unsociable hours so they said they didn't have a choice, and wanted the lo to start that night.

The next one I'd talked for about 2 hours on the phone and we'd really bonded. After 15 minutes in my house she said she was very definate, and wanted to sign. And said she wanted to pay me more than I'd asked for.

The last, had seen 2 others. Came to me, lo settled in, and again wanted to fill them out.

I always tell people to go away and think about it, but usually they won't! Sadly I'm not in the position to have people fighting over me, there's around 60 CMs in our tiny town!

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