Increased Inquiries

[GirlMomma]

Have any of you noticed a spike in inquiries? Since Monday, I’ve received roughly 2 calls/day from folks looking for childcare. Usually, I get one or two a month. To my knowledge, no one around me has closed. When a couple of daycares/providers did shut down, I didn’t get this many calls.

Here are two of my theories:

1. Parents are going back to work after the pandemic
2. Their current providers are taking long Christmas breaks and they’re ticked off by it so they’re looking for a new provider.

[Cat Herder]

Daycare hoppers tend to hop to keep for paying for the providers vacation. They are looking for one who won't charge or enforce their illness policies. A newbie.

I keep seeing words like "affordable", "evenings/weekends" and my favorite "..patience with busy, active boys. Someone whos knows boys fight and play rough and won't make a huge drama out of everything they do. And food they like to eat, food police need not apply."

Oh, yeah, sign me up for that one. She sounds super spechull and all parenty like.

[GirlMomma]

In my area, it’d be uncommon for them to pay for my vacation… but it’s something I think I would implement in the next few years. I’ve heard of one other lady in the area changing her payments to 52 weeks/year. So it’s coming! If I had a center, with employees, I’d absolutely offer evenings and weekends at a premium rate.

The woman mentioned is someone I would’ve passed on… which I’ve done before 😂

I spoke to one woman once who asked if I offered part time rates, when I said no, she informed me that the child would be here 6-6 (my old hours) Monday thru Friday. I said “I wouldn’t keep any child in daycare for that long for my rate.” So she of course asked my rate for that… I just said “I’m not interested.” She’s now my nephews step mom and I can’t help but think about how sh*tty of a mom she is

[e.j.]

I've been getting a lot of inquiries lately. I think there was a lockdown baby boom.

[GirlMomma]

Most of mine are for 2YO. Not sure if they’re rounding the ages up to two or if they’re actually two. LOL I’d gladly take them but I’m full!

[Blackcat31]

My area is quiet. Many providers I know that have been in the business for years are running at a lowered capacity. A couple by choice due to COVID but many because there doesn't seem to be alot of parents looking for care right now.
Most the businesses in my area have help wanted signs and are short staffed.
It doesn't appear anyone here is ready to go back to work and those that are working have found ways to work at home and have eliminated the need for child care all together.
Thankfully, I am full and have a waitlist but I am not getting any new calls at all. The wait list kids are either infants or needing part time or varied hours of care. I don't offer either option and won't have an infant opening until 2023.

[Blackcat31]

I should add that I am getting phone calls daily though....but there are for drop in care because area schools or preschools are closed (usually from a COVID outbreak or staff shortage). I don't take drop ins unless the child is a past DCK and only if they are in preschool or Kindy. Anything over Kindergarten and it's a nope.

[Snowmom]

I never take new families between November-January. 9 times out of 10, they left to stiff their provider out of vacation time.

It happens to me every year- yep... just had one give notice last week. Too bad they didn't read their contract and still have to pay for Christmas break! Boo hoo.

[GirlMomma]

That’s a good idea!

[Sahm121]

I’ve been in a quiet/rare inquiries for a few months. Or I should say that the ones Inquiring are ones that rarely get asked to come in for an In Person Interview (that many red flags!).

I need two more kids starting the new year so hoping lots of babies born this fall are coming my way.