I'm getting so darn sick and tired of being stood up when I need to meet new parents for my daycare. Again and again people make appointments. I call to confirm and they either tell me they forgot, or they don't answer the phone call at all. Many people actually reschedule and then do it AGAIN! Is it really so darn hard?
This isn't something that happens just sometimes. It happens more than half the time! I have tried many, many ways to get people to remember or keep their appointment. I have tried to ask questions that would tell me how much they really need new care. So many of them act like they really need care NOW. But then they don't show up? How can their need be so urgent if they come come?
Do any of you have psychology degrees or tips or tricks to get people to actually keep their appointments?!
We all make judgments all the time. I stand by mine. Decent people shouldn't make an appointment and then blow it off 24 hours later.
Jo, it's a great idea to send out a packet. It's just that most people set the appointment for the next day if they are serious. It's been my experience that appointments set further out are the ones most likely not to show. But maybe I need to tell them I WANT them to get the packet first. I'm going to mull that over. That is why I want people to go to my blog.
Amy, I don't think this business would survive making people pay for touring the daycare LOL! But it's a thought.
Oh yeah...and to the mom that wonders what it has to do with hard working people??? I could be wrong I admit... But I don't believe that rude people have the capability to even know what hard work is. It's like the old phrase...it takes one to know one... I've worked 7 days per week for 25 years and never missed even one unplanned day. That kind of dedication is uncommon today and it's hard for me to accept anything less in people I deal with. If a person is a hard worker and they hear me tell them about my years of hard work and service, then I don't think they would disrespect my time.
So YES...sorry I forgot who said it....but I AM better off. A NO reschedule policy seems to be in order.
I advertise my fees so they know before they call me. Also, we talk about everything on the phone and THEN they set the time. I would call 12 hours in advance, but often the time was set 12 hours in advance or not much more. Tonight's meeting was set yesterday at 2pm. By 6pm tonight she had forgotten already. I couldn't call her at 2am to confirm LOL. I should have called her this morning. The last thing she said was I'll see you tomorrow Suzi. She sounded bright and cheerful. She told me exactly what she had to do when she got off work and that she would be getting her mother to come too.
Happens to me all the time too. I've learned not to prepare a bunch of paper work for them ahead of time... if they show, yay, I get it all together in their presence, if they don't, well I didnt waste my time. People are not being taught ethics these days.
Yes, we exist!
You're probably better off. Do you want to have to deal with the children of people like this? The apple doesn't usually fall far from the tree, so to speak...
I can't imagine people who habitually and routinely stand people up, are all that organized and responsible with their children. Meaning, the children probably run around like little hellions without a care for authority.
For more practical advice, I really like what amyj156 has to say.
to answer your header: yes, I do exist.
As for those all-sooooooo-annoying no-shows, OMG I hate it!
& what's far worst, in terms of my daycare, would be when you have your meeting/interview.....you set a start date for the child, & then they don't show for that! OMG, it is so prevalent within this field.....that it makes me scream! & it's just not with home providers, it also happens with full-service facilities. It's a topic that's been very hot with providers for the past few years now. The rudeness & lack of basic respect is astounding!
Tips/tricks/etc: please! We're supposed to be providing childcare, NOT policing the parents! I do not call & confirm the interview, I do not chase them down. They're given one chance & that's it. If they contact me & the reason for the missed mtg is acceptable, then I do offer another appt time - but I always "remember" their actions & our relationship is then based on guarded trust.
Hope this helps! & I hope your evening is uneventful....Peace!
Here's my happy-medium answer:
Have one day a week you do tours. ONE. That way, there's no "oh I can come tomorrow" or anything like that. One day a week, one specific hour. This way, A. You don't appear to be "too" flexible, B. You have the opportunity to do the 'confirmation call' (and that's what you say "I am calling to confirm...") and C. If you are inconvenienced by this, it's at one time a week which is convenient for you to be 'inconvenienced'.
I've found that just telling parents "Out of respect for our group's daily routine...this is when we do our tours/visits." It takes charge of the situation. Someone who is genuinely interested in having a higher quality of care will understand this, and this might limit your no-shows. People are more likely to take advantage of providers who come across as "more" available.
I think this is better, too, than trying to charge a missed appt fee, which isn't how you want to start the relationship (either they'll never come or you will have to bill a prospective parent for not making it). Plus, as many have said, we *don't* want uncommunicative parents in our business. These are the folks that think they can pick up late or drop off early without communicating that need in advance. (They don't even think about the fact that we have to adjust meals,snacks, activities, etc. because of their lack of consideration.) When you say "This is when I do it" it sends a clear message that you have business to take care of and *they* are not your first priority. Puts you in the driver's seat!
Okay, if you want persuasion you want Cialdini. :) If you want people to keep the appointments you need to send out a perspective parent packet. Add something useful and personalized to it. Like a pen with your phone number on it or something like that. Cialdini found that small gifts cause people to make and keep appointments. It is the reason some surveys have a dollar bill enclosed. Or charities send out return address labels or calendars when asking for money. You are less likely to throw it away with your token gift in it.
Oh I just thought of something better than a pen and maybe cheaper, go to the dollar store and get those grocery list or to do pads. Write their appt. date and time on it with a thank you and mail it to them when you set the appointment. :)
I do have a minor in psych by the way. :D
It happens all the time. I also run an in home daycare. But I don't let it bother me to much. No sweat off my back if they don't show, irritating yes. But I have a theory that people make many appts. And then they go to an interview like that daycare and just don't bother showing up to the other appt.s they make.
Yes it's rude, but why bother getting so upset. I look at it this way...Why would I want to work for someone like that? If they can't bother to show/cancel then they are not people I want in my home every week.
I hear your frustration...but what does it have to do with being hardworking or decent? Rude, inconsiderate and self-centered maybe. People have a lot of reasons for forgetting or needing to reschedule.
It unfortunately a cost of doing business. There is no reason to make yourself crazy. Set regular open house hours and inform perspective parents those are the hours you have available for meetings. If they need something outside of that, charge a$ 25 application fee and refund it after the first month if they proceed with care.
That was always one of my biggest problems when I was doing daycare. It was so hard for me to set aside my time when they did not have any intention of showing up.
You probably don't want these people as clients anyway. :0/
YIKES!!! Rude people still exist...unfortunately!!!
It seems like people don't care about OTHER people's time and money - only theirs....
I would call or e-mail them either 24 hours or 12 hours prior to the appointment and say "I'm very excited to meet you and Johnny tomorrow at 0900...." please let me know if you have any changes to your schedule.
thank you!!!
GOOD LUCK!
do they cancel after you quote fees????
Can you imagine, how Doctor or Dental offices, feel?
That's why many offices charge a "cancellation" fee if there is a no show or a change in appointment less than 24 hours in advance.
I can talk to parents for about 2 minutes and realize why their kids are the way they are.
Makes me feel very afraid for the future sometimes.
Personally, I would think at this point a "no re-schedule" policy, or a "no show charge" should be instated for no-shows w/out notice. Perhaps you should take a CC number upon making the appointment to reserve the time (since someone else could have it), having it in your policy statement that no charge will be incurred if the appointment is kept. Many drs offices are doing similar things.
This has the potential to hurt you as a business, I realize, but when the word gets out you'll be attracting more reliable people. You'll be sending a clear message that 1. appointment times are reserved esp for the "client" (has an aire of exclusivity about it) 2. your business takes a hit when people don't show and 3. time is valuable and people need to be responsible!
The sad fact is that unless there is a consequence that hits where it hurts (like the wallet) many many people don't consider others' time as much as they should. There is a general lack of consideration all-around in our society today. =/
I'm sorry - I know just how frustrating this is!!
It's just not your tours...people are over-scheduled, busy and leading hectic lives!
But I gotta say, I don't see what "decent" or "honorable" or "hardworking" has to do with your specific question. That sounds a little judgmental don't you think?
I would recommend you set a very specific touring time...whether it's each day, or once a week...but only between certain hours so that you can keep to your routine. If the prospective needy parents don't show and don't call, it's not a waste of your time. Of course, in very rare emergencies you can be flexible with accommodating some one's over crowded, too busy schedule.
On one level yes it's rude not to call and cancel...I think it's more reflective of young desperate parents making difficult, last minute, expensive decisions on limited resources.
When I had my first daughter in daycare I switched to an at-home scenario to save money and thought she would be better taken care of. Everytime I showed up my daughter was alone laying on this women's bed or laying on the kitchen floor in front of the gas stove and then she up and quit the entire daycare over night. This is a women who came highly recommended with incredible references. I came home with a note in the diaper bag that I just happen to check about 10pm that night. She didn't even have the decency to tell me at our last pick up. I had to call the previous daycare, but thank goodness knew the owners name, so looked it up in the phone book, as of course, the daycare is closed..thank god she answered and was willing to take my baby daughter back the very next morning.
Who knows what's on peoples plates..so better for you if this is your repeated experience...set hours and be firm.
People are rude! The only thing I can think of is to create an urgency to their needing to keep their appointment. After you've discussed the fees/info as you usually do, say something like - if all that sounds good to you, then I'd like to schedule an appointment for you to tour my facility. Set the appointment and then say - oh, I just want you to know that I only have a spot open for ONE more child in your son's age group open. If you don't make your appointment on Thursday at 3, I'll have to give your spot to the person I'm meeting with on Thursday at 4. If you can't keep your appointment and you give me advance notice (as in call me that morning), there's a CHANCE we can reschedule, but if you need daycare for your child, I'd keep the appointment. I'd hate to see your spot go to someone else.
I am sorry that people have stood you up! The only advice I have is to make the appointments super convienient for YOU. Don't spend any time making it harder on yourself. Also, if they no-show and then have the nerve to reschedule----SAY NO. Tell them upfront that you will not set up another appt if they fail to come. GL! You will get the right fit for you in time--keep the faith~
Plus if they are that disshonest and sketchy, you don't want them being that way with you around your pay etc.
I have rental property and this happens to me all the time. When people call and want to see one of my apartments, I take down their mobile number and tell them that I will call them 30 minutes before the appointment. If they do not answer their phone, I will not be there to meet them. That has cut down on a lot of wasted trips/time on my part.
I have noticed that there is so much irresponsibility amongst 20-somethings. It's as if only their time is valuable. This age group has been very indulged and not taught manners and respect of others. Don't get me started....best of luck, I feel your pain!
Perhaps hardworking isn't an issue with these people - perhaps - but decency, reliability and honor sure are issues. I can't believe people do this to you all the time. Anyone who excuses it is likely rude themselves and have an overstated sense of self importance. It likely will help if you only schedule these appointments for times that you'd be there anyway etc. In other words, not times that you're actually waiting around for them. And if you do agree to a time that will get you mad if they don't show, I like the idea of getting their cell phone number to confirm. To give some people the benefit of the doubt, do the meetings sound casual like you'll be there running the daycare anyway so maybe they don't think it's a big deal to not show. If or when it is, try making the point to them that this is a real appt versus a casual stopping by.
I agree with another poster, this has nothing to do with hard work or decency. That's quite a stretch. Rude & inconsiderate, yes. However, these people are busy. That's why they need daycare. You could look at it that way.
Are you scheduling these meet-ups through e-mail or phone? If you are scheduling them through e-mail, it's probably a lot easier to do a no-show on someone you haven't actually spoken to. I would always schedule them by phone. Get their number and call them the day before to tell them that you are looking forward to meeting them tomorrow at ___ time. If that doesn't work, you don't want to work for those people anyway!
