Phone has rung!!! Yipee but OMG first interview

[Lauraschildcare]

Ola,

Ok so i have been waiting for this day to come for quite some time. Lay back and wait for the call..and now its here i am a nervous ball of butterflies!

I have to get toys for a 2 year old, get contracts etc from a friend miles away (NCMA not sent anything! Typical), plumber is about to arrive to fix bloody toilet, i havent eaten all day, now im too nervous, need to do food shopping, and so what do i do...come on here and pass valuable time having a rant... you guys were the first people i wanted to tell...

So anyone have advice just to make sure interview goes tickety boo? So much info going around my head that i dont know where to start

Invite them in for a cup of tea/chat and relax. Have a pen and paper ready as you will forget something.

Well done, is it ft/pt/ details please.

well part time and only for a couple of months but she is having a baby in July and already said she will probably want me to have them both!!
Ill be looking after a 2 year old, as i already chase my 9 month old trying to get her to stop climbing on everything i can easily cope with two of them doing it.

well part time and only for a couple of months but she is having a baby in July and already said she will probably want me to have them both!!
Ill be looking after a 2 year old, as i already chase my 9 month old trying to get her to stop climbing on everything i can easily cope with two of them doing it.

well part time and only for a couple of months but she is having a baby in July and already said she will probably want me to have them both!!
Ill be looking after a 2 year old, as i already chase my 9 month old trying to get her to stop climbing on everything i can easily cope with two of them doing it.

congratulations - i had my 1st the other day and can totally understand where your coming from!!

just try to relax and if they want you then it will be fine but no point tyring to impress them too much they will knw its an act. just be as natural as possible. get your info ready and dont expect them to sign up with you. if they do then its a bonus. GOOD LUCK and let us know how you get on!

Thanks LMG...

I remember your thread actually...sipping champagne i think was the first line!

Thanks all for advice, ill try to be as calm as poss...really excited though.

Fingers crossed and anything else you lot can cross ;) ;)

well i was excited

I wouldn't start scaring people by throwing contracts at them on a first visit. I usually show them what they look like, but that's all.

Just try and think of the visit in the same way as you would if you had a friend round for a coffee. Parents need to know that you are professional, but they also need to know that you are a "nice person". Hope that makes sense!

I wasn't sure if you meant they were coming today??

yes, I agree. I never do contracts on the first visit. You have to give people a chance. I wouldn't want to back them into signing a contract on a first visit. People need time to think about what you've said/what they've seen and also they may want to visit other cms too (most would)

I see people on one occasion, just for a basic chat, and so both them and I can see if we get on, sometimes they come back a second time and only then do I start to think about contracts.

They may be visiting several cms so don't go out buying anything yet!

Just be yourself. They may have a list of questions so just answer them as naturally and normally as possible. Show them round, introduce them to your kids etc etc, just making it friendly and informal as possible for a first visit.

I show them my portfolio with policies etc on a first visit and that's about it. Then leave it up to them.

She is coming tomorrow afternoon - and wants me to start monday. there arent any other minders really around here...i guess i could see if she is available monday as well as tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks All by the way

if she does want you to start monday then could you ask her to come early (say allow 40ish mins) to do any paperwork. this is what i had to do with my 1st mindee as his mum only rang me the night before.

GOOD LUCK!

how did it go?

Hello

Chuffed here!!! Well the family turned up (4 kids and mummy) wasnt expecting that, so i was super interviewed... The little girl im looking after is absolutely gorgeous and a brilliant lively little one. Her kids are fantastic and a real credit to her so i hope i do her justice. I know its not for long but i really am looking forward to it. She wanted to do all the contract etc on the day. Given her my policies for a full read but she did glance over them at the house and i did explain the main ones - which she was happy about. So i left it up to her and no pressure with contract but she wanted to go ahead so whipppiiii wooopppaaa

Im happy but sad that i know it wont last too long... thanks all btw

CONGRATULATIONS!! good luck for your first day x

congrats Laura!

you sound like a great childminder, hope it all goes well.

ssd x x x

Many Congrats and all the best with it! :)