Are you sometimes interviewed by very anxious parents ?>

[Summerfruit]

Hi !

A pair of lovely parents came this afternoon to interview me, well it was the second visit. First time, it was just the mum. Its her first baby. Now I understand parents want to find the perfect childminder, I have been there and I had many interviews before.

Between the first visit and the second visit, the mum bombarbed me with mails with a lots of questions, reg my routine, reg where I change the children then always ending the mails asking me if I was interviewed by more people, when do they need childcare etc..

Ok then she said she was almost certain she was going to go for me depending on the reference (she apparently called all the mindees parents)..

She came this afternoon with her dh and they stayed a while and I still dont know if she wants me as childminder. This afternoon she stressed me out, I could feel she was anxious. Now I'm not sure I want to look after her child. What else can I do to reinsure her, surely I have done everything ? I showed her, my policies, my eyfs files, my written ref, pictures, my routines...

I have never dealt with level of anxiety before, I usually know how to put people at ease but not this time !

bump

I have had parents who have interviewed every childminder in the area and bombarded me with new questions nearly every day. I didn't really mind. They are choosing a place for their most treasured possession and the parents that chose me after all this were very happy with my provision and I didn't have any trouble with them, because they knew every rule, outing, routine, etc already.

Having said that ... I always go with my gut instinct and only take on children (and parents) who I feel will be happy with what I can provide.

Hope this helps?

Thanks HSMM, I understand that it is their precious possession etc and I'm always more than happy to answer their questions and reinsure the parents.

Regarding my gut instinct, it tells me to run if they want to sign a contract with me as I dont think they are going to be able to trust me and I'll spend all my time justifying myself for every little things.

It depends on how much you need the contract I suppose, personally if I felt what you feel then I wouldn't sign and just tell them the truth that due to the way they've gone about it you don't feel like they're suitable, at the end of the day the interview is as much for you to vet them as it is for them to vet you.

I desperatly need this contract but I'll feel a fraud if I take them on only for the money. When they left, I was not feeling great. Its the first time that I feel like this about potential parents. They were asking always the same questions...I have to think about the long term. What if I never get confortable with them !

Agree with lollipop. I've got no problem AT ALL with lots of questions, I actually find it quite strange that I've hardly ever been asked loads of questions but then again, I talk about everything anyway so maybe I cover what they would ask. BUT, I had one enquiry a little while back which I decided immediately I would not accept if they wanted to come to me (but I was hoping to god they wouldn't want to!). When a parent comes here, they come for 'a meeting'. I never think of them interviewing me. I think about it as us getting together to go through things and see how we all feel so yes, I'm interviewing them too! .

I personally couldn't take on a contract with someone that made me feel awkward, no matter how much I need the money. I just don't think it's a good way to start but you never know, they COULD be ok if they did decide to come. I guess you have to go with your gut feeling.

I dont have any problems with questions and I have all the document to cover it ! I think they are really really scared of leaving their child with a stranger which I understand. My guts feeling is telling me I shouldnt take them on but saying that even if they saif they sure at 90 % they were going to take on me, I'm not sure at all. We'll see. To be honest I hope for another meeting when she'll be more relaxed !

I also hope they are not going to chose me, I think it will make things simpler !

When a parent comes here, they come for 'a meeting'. I never think of them interviewing me. I think about it as us getting together to go through things and see how we all feel so yes, I'm interviewing them too!

Very glad you said this LT as it's how I feel about it too.

SF go with your gut, you'll regret it otherwise.

I didnt know what to ask them !!! I was really feeling uncomfortable and thats a first ! I usually talk a lot but this time they were leading the conversation !