what do you do when you have 1 vacancy and 2 parents who want it?

[navyeyelasH]

At the minute we are having a lot of enquiries for September which means we are nearly full. We have 1 full time space left and 2 parents want it.

Both the parents lovely as are the children. How do you decide who to go with? I have a feeling which one I prefer but want to check there aren't any other factors I should consider?

So WDYD?

consider times, days of the week, age of the child, how the child will fit with the other children, how much money one or the other child will bring in for you, how far away the parents work (in case of emergency)

and then, of course, your gut feeling is also a very good indicator!

good luck. great position to be in to be able to choose!

Could you not have a bidding war, like when 2 people want to buy your house?

Well, more seriously - is one willing to pay more retainer (big difference for 4.5 months!) or do you think 1 would fit better in the setting? Would agree that gut feeling would be a big indicator!

times, dates, ages etc all the same and the parents work in the same location and live on the same street!! The children are both under 5 months so hard to judge their fit with us but both seemed pretty relaxed babies.

The one thing swaying it is one of the mums was supposed to come back for a second visit but didn't show up or cancel. I got on touch with her and she didn't seem very considerate of how she'd impacted on my afternoon. But i the first meeting she was lovely.

So hard to pick! It is a nice position to be in; I find parents are like buses!

Variation?

If nothing else could help me decide, it would be down to the fact one didn't show and wasn't polite about it - that would REALLY put me off and give me an idea of how it might be working with them I'm afraid.

I was going to suggest a variation as well, until I read the bit about her not turning up for 2nd visit. Looney's right Pick the other one.

agree. If she didn't apologise but she's as nice as you say then she doesn't maybe have the same ideas about time-keeping and perhaps didn't see it as a big deal.

My cm is fabulous and I try my very best to always keep to the times & always let her know about (and pay for) any delays, but I know other parents drive her mad with '10 mins here and 10 mins there' or don't phone to say they're not coming until 5 mins before they're due, etc. It could get very wearing.

Would go with the more considerate family.