cm club telephone enquiry

[Isyhan]

had a call from a lady two days ago she said she was going to speak to her husband and call me back. How long should I leave it before i call her to check if she is interested?

Give her a bell and ask if she is interested today regardless of the outcome so you know if you should do contracts or give the place to someone else.

TBH I think she'd call you if she was interested.
But no harm in a phone call in a day or two I guess.

I would give it a few more days before calling, and just say that you wondered if she was still interested as you'd had another enquiry. (I wouldn't start talking about contracts yet though! Sorry, jellyjelly!!)

I called her today but it was on voicemail and she didnt call me back. I dont think shes interested. Oh god what did I say to put her off??

I also think if she was interested she would call you.

It is disappointing that people don't phone back but I have had this a few times. One lady called with her baby when I had just started childminding and said that she couldn't decide between me and another childminder and would call back at the week-end. I didn't hear from her again but I did call her as I felt the visit went really well and couldn't understand why she hadn't contacted me again. I also used the excuse that I had had another enquiry (although unfortunately hadn't!) She said that she felt that it would be too much for me as my daughter and her daughter were the same age (12 months at that time) and that they had gone with the other childminder as she didn't have children of the same age! I was so disappointed but I must admit I think I have now realised that if people don't contact you quite quickly then they have found someone else.

Unfortunately, I am back in this situation again as my two full time under five mindees' mum has just lost her job and wont be returning to work as she is expecting another baby (wont return after either). I have had one lady round requiring care for a baby. I really couldn't gauge how the meeting went as unfortunately she didn't talk very much-I did try but found it quite difficult especially as I had two littlies to care for-although they were on their best behaviour for a change! I did ask her to call me to let me know one way or another and she assured me she would-well that was two weeks ago and I have heard nothing so guess she didnt require my care.

I do find it very hard not to take it personally but I suppose it is part and parcel of being a childminder.

I suppose I find it quite difficult because Ive just got a thing about saying to anyone you'll call them when you have no intention of calling. When I didnt require the childminder because id decided to register myself I actually went along to her house to explain. Its just courtesy.I will have to get used to it though. But, yesterday I was thinking I dont know if I can stand not knowing what work Im going to get and I was thinking about going back to college to train as a health visitor (I am a nurse)

It seems to be getting more common that people don't call back. I find it extremely rude, I have invited this person into my home, given up my valuable time to talk to them and they can't even manage a five minute phone call. I must say it is making me extremely demoralised.

Twice I have bumped into people who have done this to me and it has been fun to see them squirm. Usually you look at childminders who live near you so its not hard to realise that you might bump into them.

When people do phone back I make sure they understand how much I appreciate their call.

i would love to be a health visitor
childminding is a gamble and you never know what will happen
april i was full had 3 under 5's doing well good routine etc got loads of calls and directed them to other c/m then one monday a mum came to collect child early she had lost her job gave two weeks notice on the wed another mum left her job it had become to much for her, and the last under 5 was due to leave the same week as his mum was haing a baby and was not returning to work. so from 3 to none in a week
anyway got 2 under 5's now and more before and after school so bussiness is up again (touch wood)

Mmm Im starting to realise that I just hate all the uncertainty I think I will enjoy the childminding bit but its all the other side of the job like people sussing you out and then not getting back to you that Im not sure I want to put up with.

what i do when a new parent comes to veiw is suss them out (its life) but then as i am certain i do a great job i give them other childminders numbers in this area to go to veiw they alway come back. if you act desparet they get worried.
and when filling enrolment forms out i always use a temp one making sure they are aware that its not just incase the child does not settle its also incase the child does not mix with the children i already have and making the parent aware that i to can cancel the contact in the 4 coming weeks

Guess what she called yesterday and she wants to come and see me next week.

good
good luck