Finding parents harder to get to commit

[BernadetteIsMySister]

I've been a childminder for 14 years, outstanding graded, always been full.

This year since January I've had so many time wasters, what is going on? I don't mind if they say thanks but no thanks, but the continual dragging out with no decision either way is making it really difficult to plan.

I've spoken to cm friends who have vaguely similar issues, I seem to have been more unlucky than others.

I'm not naive enough to.think every parent wants to choose me, it's not that, but I've had lots come and barely have a question to ask, or don't know when they want care, or flat out much around with changing their minds/not committing either way.

What do we think is going on?

Till they pay the deposit /sign contract then you take on other work/other children

That's how I work as a mn

I make it clear to clients I see at interview that if they want me they need to pay the deposit

First Finlay the deposit if I have several gets me

I'm a nanny, but it's the same for us. Although it's not a new thing.

You get invited to interviews only to discover they're essentially using you to discover what a nanny is and whether they can afford one. I'd imagine they're probably doing the same, they're window shopping particularly if you're outstanding, they're having a look at what an outstanding cm is/what that means.

Its really odd, I had one mum come a couple of weeks ago who didn't even bring the child with her and then proceeded to spend much of the meeting telling me about her job. Lovely, but what a waste of both of our time.

No direct insight but I suspect post covid many parents have more flexibility and so are taking their time to figure out what they need.

Possibly. It comes with a variety of excuses, most of which I would guess aren't true.

I have always taken the stance first to pay gets the space, I don’t chase families I have interviewed and generally found if they did not contact me within 24 hours it was a No. Where I was interviewing quite a few people for the same place , I did advise them there were a few people interested. I remember one lady who clearly thought that was just a sales pitch and contacted me two months later to advise me congratulations you have made it to our final 3 and wanted to interview me again and have a trial week lol. She was rather surprised to hear space had gone and already being used and kept saying but we liked you and wanted the space, it In fact had gone the night she had been round in the afternoon.

This is exactly what has happened, lots of time wasting and they miss out. I do try to emphasise that they need to be quick but as you said, they think its bull and I'm just trying to rush them.

Also then when they do say yes, I explain its not confirmed until I receive their deposit... and another week goes by.

I get enquiries in the mean time and I don't know what to say. If I book a meeting then sods law I'll end up having to cancel or if I say it's taken the first one ends up doing a disappearing act.

Do you think it's something to do with this Tory bollocks of giving everyone unlimited free childcare, they are just scoping out loads of options that they previously couldn't afford?
Good childminders around here get their arms bitten off for a space, even the ones who keep awkward hours or charge a lot.
You've probably just been unlucky.