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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Wait List & Parents Angry That We Have No Openings
keljin 05:34 AM 06-03-2017
Hello all. I'm new here! I found the forum while researching wait lists and I'm so glad I did. I had a rough week and I'm still steaming over it.

I'm the "enrollment specialist" at a large center in a small community. We've been open about five years, and I've been in this role for about three. We take 4-5 calls a week for people looking for openings and I always say we have none but that I can add them to our wait list.

Well, the list is starting to get unruly at this point and for a spell, we even closed the list. However, we're running a large summer program for school age kids right now, so we've had an influx of calls coming in. Unfortunately (or fortunately!), most of our spots are automatically taken by the DCK who attend year-round.

A parent has called multiple times checking on a summer opening. Each time I've said we don't have an opening, but that things can change at any time, and that if we did have an opening, I would certainly let her know. Thursday she called to check. I said the same. An hour later, she called to ask for the director but didn't say who she was (1. I recognized her voice and 2. we have caller ID). I told her the director was out, but that I could give her her email. She then unloaded on me, saying my story has changed multiple times, that two weeks ago I told her we had a full-time opening and now I'm saying we don't, and why wasn't she called? Now she's missed out on a spot for her snowflake and where was she on the wait list? Why can I not tell her X number of people are in front of her? I explained our wait list doesn't work that way. She still argued with me over and over that our opening should have been hers, even though WE DO NOT HAVE AN OPENING and I NEVER SAID WE DID. She kept insisting that I told her we did and at that point, I had no idea what else to say. I considered hanging up on her. I really wanted to do it!

It may be time to change how we do our wait list, so I'm just looking for alternative ways to run it. I've found some great information on here that I think I may use, and I guess I mostly just wanted to vent.

I guess it's a good problem to have, that our wait list is so long, that people get upset because they want to attend our center and can't. BUT GOSH. Being a PIA is not going to make me work harder to find you a spot, lady! If anything, that wait list entry just went in the trash.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 05:40 AM 06-03-2017
I now have interested families fill out a 10 question "Pre-Interview Questionnairre" via e-mail. ONLY if they complete this will they be added to the Waiting List. Some don't. Most do. But, it also helps me see who would be the best fit for the program and they're contacted in THAT order.
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keljin 07:07 AM 06-03-2017
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I now have interested families fill out a 10 question "Pre-Interview Questionnairre" via e-mail. ONLY if they complete this will they be added to the Waiting List. Some don't. Most do. But, it also helps me see who would be the best fit for the program and they're contacted in THAT order.
Oh, that is a good idea! I might implement that as well. Thank you!
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Annalee 08:38 AM 06-03-2017
At an interview recently, the client made mention that xxxx goes to church with them and doesn't understand why I would NOT enroll her son, but are giving the interviewing client a chance at a daycare spot. I, in general terms, just said several things play into who is chosen for a spot in my program.... i.e. age, compatibility client/provider, work hours, etc...I then moved on. I do not necessarily take the first child on the waiting list for enrollment, so this client that is upset was removed from my list. I could feel the drama beginning if I had enrolled her son
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Annalee 08:41 AM 06-03-2017
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I now have interested families fill out a 10 question "Pre-Interview Questionnairre" via e-mail. ONLY if they complete this will they be added to the Waiting List. Some don't. Most do. But, it also helps me see who would be the best fit for the program and they're contacted in THAT order.
That is a great idea. I meet with clients 3 times before enrolling. Even if I do not have spots available I continue interviewing. First interview is meet and greet and share contract/policy with no kids. Second interview is with the kids. Third is to complete all paperwork.....if we make it that far This process doesn't eliminate all the "bad apples" but it does help me see a larger picture as I make my choice.
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trix23 05:54 PM 06-03-2017
I don't really have a weightless procedure but I'm definitely thinking of implementing one that way people can go on it and then when I do have an opening I can go by the wait list. I will definitely have a 10-question pre-interview assessment as well and I might even charge a small fee for people to be added to my waitlist so it's not a mile long. I also don't want people to just put themselves on my waitlist because they do that 10 other places too and they're just looking for the first place that will accept their child. I want people that really are interested in what I offer
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Blackcat31 06:56 AM 06-04-2017
I have a waitlist and fill vacancies successfully from the list.

I've never had an issue with parents not understanding how the waitlist works because there is an entire set of FAQ's attached to the waitlist form so interest clients fully understand how it works. (thank you AmyKidsCo )

I believe that makes ALL the difference in having/keeping a successful waitlist.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 07:07 AM 06-04-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I have a waitlist and fill vacancies successfully from the list.

I've never had an issue with parents not understanding how the waitlist works because there is an entire set of FAQ's attached to the waitlist form so interest clients fully understand how it works. (thank you AmyKidsCo )

I believe that makes ALL the difference in having/keeping a successful waitlist.
BlackCat, would you mind e-mailing me a copy of the form? I don't have a form/FAQ (I simply have the questions in an e-mail to them and they copy and paste it into their reply to answer) but that is a wonderful idea!
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trix23 12:37 PM 06-04-2017
Yes, BlackCat, can you email me too?

HollyCooper23@hotmail.com
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284878 09:55 PM 06-04-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I have a waitlist and fill vacancies successfully from the list.

I've never had an issue with parents not understanding how the waitlist works because there is an entire set of FAQ's attached to the waitlist form so interest clients fully understand how it works. (thank you AmyKidsCo )

I believe that makes ALL the difference in having/keeping a successful waitlist.
I wouldn't mind seeing the list too.
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hwichlaz 08:07 AM 06-05-2017
My wait list is just that, a list. When you call for care and I"m full, you get added to the bottom of the list. When I have an opening, I go down the list, top to bottom.
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daycarewaitlist 01:31 PM 06-07-2017
keljin, you mentioned that your waitlist is "unruly", you might want to check out
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Blackcat31 02:10 PM 06-07-2017
Originally Posted by daycarewaitlist:
keljin, you mentioned that your waitlist is "unruly", you might want to check out
Please do not advertise a product without permission from the site owner.

I message you his contact info.

Thank you!
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